California sales tax rates

Rates updated monthly
Our team of 100+ researchers keeps our database up to date with the latest in rates and taxability rules for each jurisdiction.

Automate calculation

Let Avalara AvaTax calculate rates in real time.
AvaTax gives you street-level precision at the point of sale, without requiring you to look up rates or maintain a database. Because it’s a cloud-based tool, rate updates are pushed to you automatically, based on the latest jurisdiction rules and regulations.

California state sales tax rate range

7.25-10.25%
Base state sales tax rate 6.0%
Mandatory local rate 1.25%
Local rate range 0.15%–3%
Total rate range* 7.25%–10.25%

*Due to varying local sales tax rates, we strongly recommend using our lookup and calculator tool below for the most accurate rates. 

California sales tax rates

Rates updated monthly
Our team of 100+ researchers keeps our database up to date with the latest in rates and taxability rules for each jurisdiction.

California state sales tax rate range

7.25-10.25%
Base state sales tax rate 6.0%
Mandatory local rate 1.25%
Local rate range 0.15%–3%
Total rate range* 7.25%–10.25%

*Due to varying local sales tax rates, we strongly recommend using our lookup and calculator tool below for the most accurate rates. 

Automate calculation

Let Avalara AvaTax calculate rates in real time.

AvaTax gives you street-level precision at the point of sale, without requiring you to look up rates or maintain a database. Because it’s a cloud-based tool, rate updates are pushed to you automatically, based on the latest jurisdiction rules and regulations.

Improve accuracy with rates based on address

Look up the current rate for a specific address using the same technology that powers the
Avalara AvaTax rate calculation engine.

- Or -

Why can't I just use the ZIP code?

  • There are often multiple sales tax rates per ZIP code, county, and city.
  • ZIP codes often overlap, or become subsets of other ZIP codes, or represent no geographic region at all.
  • ZIP codes aren't stable. In any given year, the USPS makes numerous boundary changes to ZIP code areas.

For the most accurate sales tax rate, use an exact street address.

Your sales tax rate

Rate icon

Combined Tax Rate

%

Location

Jurisdiction Breakdown

What do these tax rates mean?

  • The combined tax rate is the total sales tax rate of the jurisdiction for the address you submitted.

  • The jurisdiction breakdown shows the different sales tax rates making up the combined rate.

  • While most taxable products are subject to the combined sales tax rate, some items are taxed differently at state and local levels. Be sure to apply the correct sales tax rate to your sale.

The rates presented are current for the date and time you submitted the address, but may change at any time with new tax legislation.

Calculate your total amount

See your sales tax rate applied to any item price

$

+ Sales tax rate

Total

Tax Breakdown

Subtotal
Tax
Tax amount
Total

How to use this sales tax rate

  1. Determine who's responsible to collect and remit the sales tax amount. 

  2. Determine if your product or service is taxable in the responsible party’s jurisdictions.

  3. Apply the sales tax rate shown above to your taxable product or service’s value.

Now that you have your rate, make sales tax returns easier too

Automate returns preparation, online filing, and remittance with Avalara Returns for Small Business

Now that you have your rate, make sales tax returns easier too

Automate returns preparation, online filing, and remittance with Avalara Returns for Small Business.

Download state rate tables for multiple states

Get a free download of average rates by ZIP code for each state you select.
If you make sales in multiple states, rate tables can be used to input data into your tax system or maintain as a reference. 

California sales tax details

The California state sales tax rate is 7.25%. This rate is made up of a base rate of 6%, plus California adds a mandatory local rate of 1.25% that goes directly to city and county tax officials. Depending on local sales tax jurisdictions, the total tax rate can be as high as 10.25%.

Food and prescription drugs are exempt from sales tax.

Amazon owns and operates a number of fulfillment centers in California. This physical presence, or nexus, creates a sales tax obligation for Amazon and many sellers participating in Amazon’s Seller Central and Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) programs.

Businesses with nexus in California are required to register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and to charge, collect, and remit the appropriate tax.

Generally, a business has nexus in California when it has a physical presence there, such as a retail store, warehouse, inventory, or the regular presence of traveling salespeople or representatives. However, out-of-state sellers can also establish nexus.

California sales tax resources

California sales tax guide for businesses

Our free, online guide covers multiple aspects of managing California sales tax compliance, including business registration, collecting sales tax, filing sales tax returns and state nexus obligations. 

Total results : 3
avalara:content-tags/asset-type/blog-post,avalara:content-tags/tax-type/sales-and-use-tax,avalara:content-tags/location/world/north-america/united-states/california
Jul-1-2019

California Sales Tax Rate Changes - Avalara

avalara:content-tags/asset-type/blog-post,avalara:content-tags/tax-type/sales-and-use-tax,avalara:content-tags/location/world/north-america/united-states/california
Apr-22-2019

Guide to California Use Tax - Avalara