Here’s an updated overview of California’s current sales tax rates (effective April 1, 2025), with key details at the state and local level.
🌟 Statewide Base Rate
- 7.25 % total statewide minimum (taxcloud.com, en.wikipedia.org)
- Composed of: 6.00 % state + 1.25 % uniform local (county + transportation) (en.wikipedia.org)
🔍 Local Add‑Ons
- Most jurisdictions add 0.10 % to 2.00 % in district-level taxes, bringing combined rates between 7.35 % and ~10.75 % (cdtfa.ca.gov).
- Some areas exceed the traditional cap, e.g., up to 11.25 % in a few LA County cities .
📍 Sample Combined Rates (Effective April 1, 2025)
| Location | Combined Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide minimum | 7.25 % | No additional local taxes |
| Los Angeles | 9.75 % | Includes 0.25 % Measure A for homelessness (taxcloud.com) |
| San Francisco | 8.625 % | City/County tax adds ~1.375 % on top of statewide |
| Alameda | 10.75 % | One of the highest rates in the state |
| Sacramento | 8.75 % | Statewide + county + city stamps |
🧭 Why Rates Vary
- California’s Bradley‑Burns Uniform Local Tax allows local jurisdictions to add up to 1 % (+0.25 % transportation in counties) (en.wikipedia.org).
- District taxes under voter-approved measures (like Measure A in LA County) can push rates beyond the nominal cap .
📘 In Summary
- Minimum combined rate anywhere in CA: 7.25 %
- Typical combined range: 7.35 %–10.25 %
- Highest local rates: up to 10.75 %, with a few LA cities at 11.25 %
For precise rates by address or ZIP code, consult the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration’s lookup tool (cdtfa.ca.gov).
