California Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Calculate sales tax in California. California has a 7.25% state sales tax rate; local taxes bring the average combined rate to 9.03%. Based on current CA rates.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology

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%
Groceries (food for home)
Clothing

Total Tax

$9.03

Total with Tax

$109.03

Combined Rate

9.030%

Tax Breakdown

State Tax (7.25%)$7.25
Local Tax (1.78%)$1.78
Total Sales Tax$9.03
Total with Tax$109.03

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

California Sales Tax Guide

California's statewide sales tax rate is 7.25%, the highest base rate of any state, and it applies to most retail sales of tangible goods. Local district taxes layer on top of that floor: cities and counties can add district levies averaging 1.78% statewide (Tax Foundation, midyear 2026), which pushes the rate you actually pay at the register above 11% in about 20 Los Angeles County cities since a new 0.5% county tax took effect on October 1, 2026, with Lancaster and Palmdale at 11.75% (CDTFA). Because those add-ons vary block by block, two stores a few miles apart can ring up the same item at different totals.

Not everything is taxed. Most groceries, meaning unprepared food you take home to cook, are exempt, as are prescription drugs. Prepared and hot food, dietary supplements, and most general merchandise are taxable. When you buy from an out-of-state seller that doesn't collect California tax, you typically owe use tax at the same combined rate for your location, reported on your state income tax return. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration oversees both the sales tax and its use-tax counterpart.

California Sales Tax Details (2026)

State Sales Tax Rate 7.25%
Local Sales Taxes Yes, 1.78% on average
Average Combined Rate 9.03% (Tax Foundation, midyear 2026)
Local Tax Note Local district sales taxes average 1.78% on top of the 7.25% statewide rate (Tax Foundation, midyear 2026), and since a new 0.5% Los Angeles County tax took effect on October 1, 2026, combined rates reach 11.75% in Lancaster and Palmdale and pass 11% in about 20 Los Angeles County cities.
State Income Tax progressive (up to 13.3%)
Avg. Property Tax Rate 0.69%

Official Sources:

California Sales Tax FAQ

Why is the sales tax different from one California city to the next?
The 7.25% statewide rate is the same everywhere, but local district taxes are not. Cities and counties can stack district levies of 4% or more, so combined rates run from 7.25% to above 11% depending on where the sale happens. The rate is tied to the location of the purchase, which is why a neighboring town can charge a noticeably different total.
Are groceries taxed in California?
Most basic groceries are exempt, so unprepared food you buy to cook at home generally rings up tax-free. The exemption does not cover hot prepared food, restaurant meals, dietary supplements, or carbonated and alcoholic drinks, which are taxable. Prescription drugs are also exempt, while over-the-counter medicines usually are not.
What is use tax and when do I owe it in California?
Use tax is the companion to sales tax: it applies when you buy a taxable item from an out-of-state or online seller that didn't charge California tax. You owe it at the same combined rate that applies at your address, and you report it on your California income tax return. The rule exists so out-of-state purchases aren't a way to sidestep the tax a local store would have collected.
Does California charge sales tax on services?
Generally no. California's sales tax applies to tangible personal property, so most pure services, like haircuts, legal advice, or labor-only repairs, are not taxed. The line blurs when a service includes parts or goods, in which case the tangible portion can be taxable. The Department of Tax and Fee Administration publishes the rules that sort taxable sales from exempt services.

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