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Sales Tax Calculator California — Free 2026

Calculate California sales tax with the 7.25% state base rate. Click a city for local combined rates or enter your own.

Enter a valid amount.
Los Angeles 9.5% San Francisco 8.625% San Diego 7.75% San Jose 9.375% Santa Monica 10.25% Oakland 9.5% Sacramento 8.75% State Base 7.25%

Sales Tax Breakdown

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Tax Amount
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Total With Tax
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Effective Rate
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Pre-Tax Amount

How It Works

  1. Enter purchase amount
  2. Select your city rate
  3. View results
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Understanding Sales Tax in California

California has the highest state base sales tax rate in the US at 7.25%. On top of this, cities and counties add local district taxes that can push the combined rate well above 10%. The wide variation in local rates means your actual tax bill depends heavily on where you shop — two stores a few miles apart can charge very different rates.

How California Sales Tax Works

The 7.25% state rate is composed of a 6% state tax, a 1% local jurisdiction tax, and a 0.25% county tax. Local districts (cities, transit authorities, special districts) can add additional taxes, typically 0.5%-3.25%. Los Angeles County, for example, has multiple overlapping local taxes that bring the rate to 9.5% in most of the city. Always check the exact rate for your location using the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) lookup tool. For help calculating tips on top of your bill, see our tip calculator.

Exemptions in California

Most unprepared grocery food is exempt from sales tax in California, but prepared food, hot food, and restaurant meals are fully taxed. Prescription medications and certain medical devices are also exempt. Unlike some other states, California taxes clothing at the full rate — there is no exemption regardless of price. California also does not offer sales tax holidays of any kind, making it one of the few large states without a back-to-school or seasonal tax break. For all-states comparison, see the US Sales Tax Calculator.

Reverse Sales Tax Calculation

If you already know the total you paid and need to find the pre-tax price, divide the total by (1 + rate). For example, if you paid $109.50 in Los Angeles (9.5% rate), the pre-tax price is $109.50 / 1.095 = $100.00, and the tax was $9.50. This is useful when splitting bills, filing expense reports, or verifying receipts. Our calculator shows the pre-tax amount automatically for any rate you enter.

State base rates shown. Local rates vary — use your receipt or city's website for exact combined rates.
For informational purposes only. State base rates shown; local district taxes vary by city and county. Consult the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for exact combined rates in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is California's sales tax rate?
California has the highest state base sales tax rate in the US at 7.25%. Local district taxes can add up to 3.25%, bringing combined rates to over 10% in some areas. Los Angeles has a combined rate of about 9.5%, San Francisco 8.625%, and some cities in Los Angeles County exceed 10.25%.
Are groceries taxed in California?
Most grocery food items are exempt from California sales tax. This includes unprepared food purchased at grocery stores. However, prepared food, hot food, and food sold for immediate consumption (like restaurant meals or deli items) are subject to the full sales tax rate.
Is clothing taxed in California?
Yes, California taxes clothing at the full sales tax rate. Unlike states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or New York (under $110), California does not exempt clothing purchases from sales tax. This applies to all clothing and footwear regardless of price.
Does California have sales tax holidays?
No. California does not offer sales tax holidays. Unlike many other states that have back-to-school or hurricane preparedness tax-free weekends, California maintains its sales tax on all taxable items year-round.

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