Rates verified January 2026 · Source: California Dept. of Revenue

California Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Los Angeles 10.25% · San Francisco 8.625% · San Diego 7.75% · base 7.25%

California has the highest state base sales tax in the US at 7.25%. With district and city taxes, rates range from 7.25% in rural areas to 10.75% in some cities. Los Angeles is 10.25%, San Francisco 8.625%, San Diego 7.75%.

State guide Shipping rules Grocery tax Reverse formula

Quick answer

Use 10.25% as the starting California sales tax rate.

The calculator below lets you add tax to a price or remove tax from a receipt total. Pick a city when available, or type the exact local rate from the official source.

Los Angeles area

10.25% in LA, Long Beach, and Oakland

State base rate

7.25%, the highest statewide base rate

District taxes

Local add-ons can change by city and address

Calculator

City (optional — fills rate)

Sales tax rate — type any % (editable)

Change this anytime — no extra click. Verify final rates with your state or country tax authority.

Amount before tax

Quick amounts

Enter an amount to see the result.

Educational tool only — not tax advice. Confirm rates before filing or pricing for customers.

California combined rates by city — 2026 reference

Los Angeles
Los Angeles County · State 7.25% + County 0.25% + District 2.75%
10.25%
San Francisco
San Francisco County · State 7.25% + District 1.375%
8.625%
San Diego
San Diego County · State 7.25% + County 0.5%
7.75%
San Jose
Santa Clara County · State 7.25% + District 2.125%
9.375%
Sacramento
Sacramento County · State 7.25% + District 1.5%
8.75%
Fresno
Fresno County · State 7.25% + District 1.1%
8.35%
Long Beach
Los Angeles County · State 7.25% + County 0.25% + District 2.75%
10.25%
Oakland
Alameda County · State 7.25% + District 3%
10.25%
Bakersfield
Kern County · State 7.25% + District 1%
8.25%
Anaheim
Orange County · State 7.25% + District 1.5%
8.75%
Riverside
Riverside County · State 7.25% + District 1.5%
8.75%
Santa Ana
Orange County · State 7.25% + District 2%
9.25%

ZIP and district rules can differ. Verify on California Dept. of Revenue.

Formula

How to calculate California sales tax

Multiply the taxable price by the combined state and local rate. Then add the tax amount to the original price to get the final checkout total.

Sales tax formula

Sales tax = item price x (rate / 100)

Final total = item price + sales tax

Enter the item price before tax.
Use the city rate above or type the exact local rate from the official source.
Calculate the sales tax amount and final total instantly.

Example	Formula	Tax	Total
$100 purchase in Los Angeles	$100.00 x 10.25%	$10.25	$110.25
$250 purchase in San Francisco	$250.00 x 8.625%	$21.56	$271.56
Reverse tax from $110.25	Divide a Los Angeles receipt total by 1.1025 to estimate the pre-tax price and sales tax.	$100.00 before tax	$100.00 before tax

California sales tax examples

Common receipt calculations using high-search city rates.

$100 purchase in Los Angeles

$110.25 total

$100.00 x 10.25% = $10.25 sales tax. Use this for many Los Angeles County city addresses.

$250 purchase in San Francisco

$271.56 total

$250.00 x 8.625% = $21.56 sales tax. San Francisco uses a lower combined rate than Los Angeles.

Reverse tax from $110.25

$100.00 before tax

Divide a Los Angeles receipt total by 1.1025 to estimate the pre-tax price and sales tax.

State rate: 7.25%

Avg combined: 8.72%

Economic nexus: $500,000 in California sales in current or prior calendar year

Filing: Monthly, Quarterly, or Annual depending on sales volume

How California Sales Tax Works

California has the highest state base sales tax in the US at 7.25%, set in 2013. On top of this, counties, cities, and special tax districts add their own rates — ranging from under 1% in rural counties to over 3% in cities like Los Angeles and Oakland. The result is a statewide range from 7.25% to 10.75%. California uses destination-based sourcing: the rate charged is determined by where the buyer receives the goods, not where the seller is located.

California Sales Tax Rates by Major City — 2026

Los Angeles (10.25%) applies the highest rate among California's major metros. Oakland (10.25%) matches LA. San Jose (9.375%) reflects Santa Clara County's transit additions. Sacramento (8.75%) and Anaheim (8.75%) are mid-range. San Diego (7.75%) is one of the lowest for a major California city. San Francisco (8.625%) sits mid-range despite being the most expensive city in the state.

What Is Taxable in California

Most tangible personal property is taxable in California — electronics, clothing, furniture, appliances, and prepared food. Key exemptions include unprepared groceries, prescription medications, agricultural supplies, and certain medical equipment. California does not have a general sales tax holiday.

California Online Sales Tax — Economic Nexus 2026

Out-of-state sellers must collect California sales tax if they exceed $500,000 in California sales in the current or preceding calendar year. No transaction count threshold applies — only the revenue amount. Marketplace facilitators (Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart Marketplace) collect on behalf of third-party sellers. Sellers must collect at the buyer's destination rate.

How to Use This California Sales Tax Calculator

Select your city from the dropdown to auto-fill the combined rate, or enter a custom rate for smaller cities. For Los Angeles use 10.25%, San Francisco 8.625%, San Diego 7.75%. Use reverse mode to extract the pre-tax price from a California receipt total. For any California address, use the CDTFA rate finder at cdtfa.ca.gov.

Often taxable in California

General merchandise
Electronics
Clothing
Furniture
Restaurant meals

Common exemptions

Unprepared groceries
Prescription drugs
Medical devices
Agricultural products

Common mistakes to avoid

Using only the state base rate

California local taxes can change the final combined rate. Use the city or county rate when available, not only the 7.25% state rate.

Forgetting shipping and delivery rules

Shipping can be taxable, exempt, or taxable only when bundled with taxable goods depending on state rules and invoice wording.

Treating every item category the same

Groceries, clothing, medicine, digital goods, and prepared food can follow different tax rules. Check the item category before quoting a final price.

Using an estimate for tax filing

Calculator results are useful for receipts and budgeting, but businesses should confirm address-level rates and exemptions with official sources before filing.

Official California sales tax source

Rates and rules on this page were last reviewed in January 2026 against California Dept. of Revenue. Use the linked authority for filing, registrations, or address-specific compliance.

California CDTFA publishes current city and county sales and use tax rates, including district tax changes.
The statewide base rate is 7.25%; district taxes added by cities and counties create the final combined rate.
Some communities and addresses can differ inside the same city name, so businesses should verify exact rates with CDTFA before filing.

California sales tax — frequently asked questions

What is the California sales tax rate in 2026?

California's base state rate is 7.25% — the highest in the US. The average combined rate including district and county taxes is about 8.72%. Los Angeles is 10.25%, San Francisco 8.625%, San Diego 7.75%.

Does California tax groceries?

No. Unprepared food items sold for home preparation are exempt from California sales tax. Prepared food, restaurant meals, and hot food are taxable at the full rate.

What is the sales tax in Los Angeles in 2026?

The combined sales tax in Los Angeles is 10.25%. This includes the 7.25% state base rate, 0.25% Los Angeles County rate, and 2.75% in city and district taxes.

Does California charge sales tax on clothing?

Yes. California taxes clothing at the full applicable rate. There is no clothing exemption in California, unlike New York or Pennsylvania.

How do I find the sales tax rate for a specific California city?

Use our calculator above to select your city, or visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration rate finder at cdtfa.ca.gov for any specific address.

How do I calculate California sales tax?

Multiply the taxable price by the combined local rate. Example: $100 in Los Angeles at 10.25% creates $10.25 in tax and a $110.25 total.

Is shipping taxable in California?

California shipping rules depend on how the charge is stated and how delivery is handled. Separately stated delivery by common carrier is often not taxable, but handling or combined delivery charges can be taxable.

Does California charge sales tax on online purchases?

Yes. Marketplace facilitators and remote sellers that meet California requirements collect tax based on the delivery address, including applicable district taxes.

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Use the correct California sales tax rate

Use this page for quick California sales tax estimates, receipt checks, and reverse tax calculations. For the most accurate result, choose the closest city rate or verify the exact address-level rate with the official source, then enter that percentage in the calculator.

Open all-state calculator

Disclaimer: Rates are for informational and educational purposes and may be incomplete or outdated. Always verify with the official California revenue authority or a qualified professional before filing or making business decisions.