2026 CDTFA rates for 60+ cities & all 58 counties — forward, reverse, multi-item & annual estimator
California has one of the most complex sales tax structures in the United States. While every buyer and seller in the state pays the statewide base rate of 7.25%, the combined rate you actually pay at the register can range from 7.25% all the way up to 11.25% depending on exactly where the transaction takes place. Understanding how California's layered sales tax system works — and knowing the rate for your specific city or county — can help you budget accurately, compare shopping locations, and comply with state law. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) publishes updated tax rates twice a year, in January and July. As of January 2, 2026, the mandatory statewide base rate of 7.25% is composed of a 6% State General Fund component, a 1% Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax component that funds city and county general operations, and a 0.25% Local Transportation Fund component that finances local transit projects. On top of this base rate, cities and special districts may layer additional voter-approved district taxes, which range from 0.10% to as much as 4.00%, pushing rates in some jurisdictions well above 10%. This California Sales Tax Calculator covers forward calculation (you know the pre-tax price and want the tax and total), reverse calculation (you know the final price and want to back out the tax), and a three-variable solver mode. You can look up the rate by selecting from 60+ major California cities or all 58 California counties, or you can enter a custom rate if you already know the combined rate for your location. The tool also includes a multi-item line-item calculator for shopping lists or business invoices, a city-to-city comparison that shows how much you would save or pay extra by buying the same item in a different California city, and an annual tax estimator that projects how much sales tax you pay per year based on your typical monthly spending. Sales tax in California is destination-based: the rate depends on the location where the buyer takes possession of the goods, not where the seller is located. For online purchases shipped to a California address, the rate for the delivery address applies. California use tax — which applies to taxable purchases made outside the state and brought into California for use — is assessed at exactly the same combined rate as the sales tax at the buyer's location. California does not currently offer any sales tax holidays in 2026. Knowing the sales tax rate matters for everyday purchases, major purchases like vehicles and electronics, business accounting, e-commerce compliance, and budget planning. A difference of just 2–3 percentage points between two neighboring cities can translate into hundreds of dollars of extra tax on a large purchase such as a car, appliance, or jewelry item. Our comparison tool makes this easy to visualize.
Understanding California Sales Tax
What Is California Sales Tax?
California sales tax is a consumption tax levied on the retail sale of tangible personal property within the state. It is collected by the seller at the point of sale and remitted to the CDTFA. The statewide minimum combined rate is 7.25%, which consists of the 6% State General Fund rate, the 1% Bradley-Burns local tax, and the 0.25% Local Transportation Fund. On top of this base, many jurisdictions impose additional district taxes approved by local voters, resulting in combined rates ranging from 7.25% to 11.25% across the state as of January 2026. The CDTFA maintains the authoritative rate database, updated each January and July, which is the source of the data embedded in this calculator.
How Is California Sales Tax Calculated?
For forward calculation (tax excluded): Sales Tax Amount = Purchase Amount × (Combined Rate ÷ 100), and Total Price = Purchase Amount + Sales Tax Amount. For reverse calculation (tax included): Pre-Tax Price = Total Price ÷ (1 + Combined Rate ÷ 100), and Tax Amount = Total Price − Pre-Tax Price. The combined rate itself is the sum of the state base (6%), the county Bradley-Burns component (1%), the Local Transportation Fund (0.25%), and any voter-approved district taxes for the specific jurisdiction. The minimum combined rate in California is 7.25%; all jurisdictions must charge at least this amount.
Why Does the California Sales Tax Rate Matter?
California has the highest statewide sales tax base rate of any US state, and when district taxes are included, some California cities rank among the highest-tax jurisdictions in the nation. For a $1,000 purchase, the difference between the minimum 7.25% rate and the maximum 11.25% rate is exactly $40 — a meaningful difference on major purchases like electronics, furniture, or appliances. For vehicles, where purchase prices often exceed $20,000–$60,000, even a 1% rate difference translates to $200–$600. Knowing the rate in your city versus a neighboring city can inform where you make large purchases. For businesses, accurate sales tax calculation is a compliance requirement — incorrect collection can result in CDTFA audits and penalties.
Limitations and Caveats
This calculator uses the 2026 CDTFA rate data for major cities and all 58 counties. Rates are current as of January 2, 2026, and may change on July 1, 2026. For the most granular and authoritative rate data — especially for smaller cities, unincorporated areas, or special district boundaries — always verify with the official CDTFA Rate Database at cdtfa.ca.gov or the interactive CDTFA map at maps.cdtfa.ca.gov. This calculator does not account for: industry-specific rate variations, partial exemptions for mixed-use items, import exemptions, or variations within ZIP codes for multi-district boundaries. Additionally, this tool is for estimation and educational purposes and should not substitute for professional tax advice.
How to Use the California Sales Tax Calculator
Choose Calculation Mode
Select 'Tax Excluded' if you know the pre-tax price and want to add tax on top. Select 'Tax Included' (reverse mode) if you have a receipt total and want to see how much of it was tax.
Enter the Amount and Select a Rate
Enter the purchase price in the amount field. Then choose your rate source: pick 'By City' or 'By County' to use the verified 2026 CDTFA rate for your location, or choose 'Manual' to enter a custom rate.
Review Your Results
The calculator instantly shows your tax amount, pre-tax price, and total. The donut chart breaks down how much of your combined rate is state base versus local district tax. The rate bar shows where your rate sits within California's 7.25%–11.25% range.
Use Advanced Features
Add multiple line items for a shopping list or business invoice. Use the city comparison panel to see tax savings from buying in a lower-rate city. Enter your monthly spending to project your annual tax burden. Export results to CSV or print a summary for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current California sales tax rate?
California's statewide base sales tax rate is 7.25%, which is the mandatory minimum charged everywhere in the state. This base consists of a 6% State General Fund component, a 1% Bradley-Burns local component, and a 0.25% Local Transportation Fund component. Most California cities and counties levy additional district taxes on top of this base, so the actual combined rate you pay depends on the specific city or county where the purchase takes place. As of January 2026, combined rates range from 7.25% (in cities like Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Kern County) up to 11.25% in cities like Lancaster and Palmdale in Los Angeles County.
What is the sales tax in Los Angeles?
The city of Los Angeles has a combined sales tax rate of 10.25% as of January 2026. This is above the California state base of 7.25% because Los Angeles has voter-approved district taxes that add 3.0 percentage points on top of the base. Nearby cities in Los Angeles County have different rates — for example, Glendale, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Burbank, Pasadena, Torrance, Lancaster, and Palmdale are all at 10.25%, while the unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County are at 9.75%. Anaheim in neighboring Orange County is much lower at 7.75%.
What is the sales tax in San Diego and San Francisco?
San Diego has a combined sales tax rate of 7.75% as of January 2026, making it one of the lower-tax major cities in California. San Francisco has a combined rate of 8.625%. By contrast, nearby Oakland charges 10.75% and Berkeley charges 10.25%. These differences mean that buying a $500 item in San Diego ($38.75 tax) versus Oakland ($53.75 tax) saves you $15 in sales tax alone. The city comparison feature in this calculator lets you see exactly how much you would save or pay extra in any two California cities.
How does reverse sales tax calculation work?
Reverse calculation lets you find the pre-tax price and tax amount when you only know the final total (tax-included price). The formula is: Pre-Tax Price = Total Price ÷ (1 + Combined Rate / 100), and Tax Amount = Total Price − Pre-Tax Price. For example, if you paid $108.25 total in a city with an 8.25% rate, the pre-tax price was $108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = $100.00, and the tax was $8.25. This is useful for expense reports, bookkeeping, and checking receipts.
Are groceries and food exempt from California sales tax?
Yes — most food products for human consumption are exempt from California sales tax. This includes groceries, unprepared food, and food products sold in grocery stores. However, prepared food (hot food, restaurant meals, food sold with utensils), carbonated beverages, and candy are generally taxable. Prescription medicines and drugs are also exempt. Seeds and plants grown for food production are exempt. Services are generally not subject to California sales tax — California primarily taxes tangible personal property, not services. SaaS software products are generally considered non-taxable in California.
What is California use tax and how does it relate to sales tax?
California use tax applies to taxable purchases made outside California that are used, stored, or consumed in California. It is assessed at exactly the same combined rate as the sales tax at the buyer's location within California — so if you live in Los Angeles (10.25%), your use tax rate is also 10.25%. Use tax is commonly owed on out-of-state online purchases from sellers who did not collect California sales tax, out-of-state vehicle purchases brought into California, and out-of-state purchases of furniture, electronics, or other tangible property. California residents report and pay use tax on their state income tax return (Form 540) or via the CDTFA's use tax payment portal.