What steps should I take to determine the sales tax amount?

To determine the sales tax amount, follow these steps:
Identify the Sales Tax Rate: Determine the sales tax rate for your specific location. Sales tax rates can vary by state, county, and city. This information can typically be found on local government websites or by contacting your local tax authority.
Convert the Percentage to Decimal Form: Convert the sales tax rate from a percentage to a decimal by dividing it by 100. For example, a 7% sales tax rate becomes 0.07.
Determine the Amount to Be Taxed: Identify the total amount of the sale that will be subject to tax. This is typically the purchase price of the item or service.
Calculate the Sales Tax: Multiply the taxable amount by the decimal form of the sales tax rate. For instance, if your purchase amount is $100 and the sales tax rate is 7%, then the sales tax would be calculated as $100 x 0.07 = $7.
Add the Sales Tax to the Purchase Price: Finally, add the calculated sales tax to the original purchase price to get the total cost. Using the example above, the total amount paid would be $100 + $7 = $107.

Remember, if you are purchasing multiple items or from different jurisdictions with varying tax rates, it may be necessary to repeat these steps for each item or jurisdiction. Additionally, keep in mind that some items might be exempt from sales tax depending on local laws, so verify if any exemptions apply.