Sometimes a receipt shows only the final total with tax. If you know the tax percent, you can back into the pretax price by dividing by one plus the rate.
Core idea
Pretax = total ÷ (1 + rate/100)
Sample
$108 total · 8% → pretax about $100.00, tax about $8.00. Open sample
Related
Frequently asked questions
How do I find pretax from a total that includes tax?
Divide the total by (1 + tax rate as a decimal). Tax is total minus pretax.
Sample: $108 total at 8%?
Pretax about $100.00; tax about $8.00.
Sources linked above include U.S. government materials (for example CFPB, FDIC, NCUA, BLS, IRS) where noted. Sample math uses only labeled Nestfigure assumptions—not bank quotes, job offers, or personalized advice. Last reviewed: August 9, 2026.