Printable worksheet for practicing sales tax calculations with real-life shopping scenarios.

Let's solve each of the Sales Tax Word Problems step by step and explain the reasoning.

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Problem 1:

At the store, Mrs. Raymond couldn't resist the temptation to buy a pair of designer shoes. The shoes cost $96, and the sales tax rate was 9%. What was the total cost?

#### Step-by-step Solution:
- Cost of shoes = $96
- Sales tax rate = 9% = 0.09
- Sales tax amount = 96 × 0.09 = $8.64
- Total cost = Original price + Sales tax = 96 + 8.64 = $104.64

✔ Answer: $104.64

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Problem 2:

Lily is shopping for a shirt, a blazer, and a pair of trousers. The marked prices of the three garments will total $166. The sales tax is $0.03 on each dollar. What is the sales tax that Lily pays?

#### Step-by-step Solution:
- Total price = $166
- Sales tax = $0.03 per dollar → This means the tax rate is 3% (since 0.03 = 3%)
- Sales tax amount = 166 × 0.03 = $4.98

✔ Answer: $4.98

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Problem 3:

The weather was dipping, and Molly wanted to cozy up in a sweatshirt. She went to the store where she found a sweatshirt worth $69. If the sales tax rate was 10%, what was the sales tax?

#### Step-by-step Solution:
- Price of sweatshirt = $69
- Sales tax rate = 10% = 0.10
- Sales tax = 69 × 0.10 = $6.90

✔ Answer: $6.90

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Problem 4:

Bob has placed an order for a skateboard. The cost of the skateboard is $42, and the sales tax rate is 7%. Calculate the total cost of the skateboard.

#### Step-by-step Solution:
- Cost = $42
- Tax rate = 7% = 0.07
- Sales tax = 42 × 0.07 = $2.94
- Total cost = 42 + 2.94 = $44.94

✔ Answer: $44.94

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Problem 5:

Robbie is browsing through a shopping website. Suddenly a $299 sports bike catches his attention. If the sales tax rate is 8%, what is the sales tax?

#### Step-by-step Solution:
- Price of bike = $299
- Sales tax rate = 8% = 0.08
- Sales tax = 299 × 0.08 = $23.92

✔ Answer: $23.92

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✔ Final Answers:

1) $104.64
2) $4.98
3) $6.90
4) $44.94
5) $23.92

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🔍 Key Concept:

To calculate sales tax:
> Sales Tax = Original Price × Tax Rate (as a decimal)
> Total Cost = Original Price + Sales Tax

Remember to convert percentages to decimals (e.g., 9% = 0.09).

Let me know if you'd like these problems formatted into a printable answer sheet!