California Sales Tax Calculator
California's 7.25% base rate already includes a mandatory 1.25% local component, which surprises many visitors. California is a modified-origin state: the rate generally follows the place of sale, and district taxes apply where the retailer has a presence.
Default for California: 8.85%. Edit to use another rate.
State-level estimate — the exact rate depends on your county, city, and special districts.
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subtotal, tax, and total all pre-filled.
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Effective from 2026-01-01 · State and sample ZIP-level rates.
California sales tax rates
| Rate type | Rate |
|---|---|
| State rate | 7.25% |
| Average local rate | 1.60% |
| Average combined rate | 8.85% |
| Highest combined rate | 11.00% |
What is taxable in California?
- Food products for home consumption, prescription medicines, and most unprepared agricultural products are exempt; prepared food and hot bakery items are taxable.
- District taxes approved by voters add another 0.1% to 1% or more in many counties, so the combined rate varies from 7.25% to well above 10%.
CA sales tax calculator FAQ
- What is the sales tax rate in California?
- California's state-level rate is 7.25%. Local taxes bring the statewide average combined rate to about 8.85%, with the highest combined rate around 11.00%. California is a modified-origin state: the rate generally follows the place of sale, and district taxes apply where the retailer has a presence.
- Does California have local sales tax?
- District taxes approved by voters add another 0.1% to 1% or more in many counties, so the combined rate varies from 7.25% to well above 10%.
- What is exempt from sales tax in California?
- Food products for home consumption, prescription medicines, and most unprepared agricultural products are exempt; prepared food and hot bakery items are taxable.
- How do I calculate sales tax in California?
- Multiply the pre-tax price by the combined rate for your location. At the roughly 8.85% average combined rate, a $100.00 purchase would add about $8.85 in tax. Use the ZIP lookup above for the specific rate, and confirm with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
Official source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
Need a printable receipt?
Open the receipt maker with these totals already filled in — subtotal, tax, and total.
No account needed.
Other state calculators
- Arkansas6.50%
- Connecticut6.35%
- Florida6.00%
- Michigan6.00%
- Minnesota6.875%
- Missouri4.225%
- New Jersey6.625%
- New York4.00%
- Ohio5.75%
- Pennsylvania6.00%
- Texas6.25%
- Washington6.50%
Make a California receipt with these totals
The calculator can pre-fill a receipt with the subtotal, tax, and total for California. Start from a template and adjust the details.