Excise Tax Calculator
Calculate federal and state excise taxes on fuel, alcohol, tobacco, heavy highway vehicles, airline travel, and luxury goods.
Excise Tax Results
Excise Tax Calculation Formulas
Specific Unit Tax = Quantity × (Federal Rate + State Rate) | Ad Valorem Tax = Retail Price × ((Federal % + State %) ÷ 100)- Per-Unit (Specific) Taxes: Fixed dollar levies per unit volume (e.g. federal gasoline tax is 18.4¢/gal, diesel 24.4¢/gal, wine per gallon, cigarettes per pack).
- Ad Valorem Taxes: Percentage levies assessed on the wholesale or retail dollar price (e.g. 10% on indoor tanning, 12% on heavy trucks).
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Calculation Steps:
How to Use This Calculator
Assumptions & Limitations
- Excise taxes are usually embedded in final shelf prices rather than added separately at the cash register.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sales tax and excise tax?
Sales tax is a broad percentage tax applied to nearly all retail goods at the register. Excise tax is targeted to specific goods (gasoline, cigarettes, aviation, firearms) and is usually paid upstream by manufacturers or wholesalers and embedded in the shelf price.
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