California Sales Tax Calculator

Compute California sales tax for any city in 2025. Add tax to a pre-tax price or strip it from a total.

🛍️ California Sales Tax Calculator
City / County10.25%
Custom Tax Rate (%)0%
%
Pre-Tax Price$85.00
$
$0$5,000
Tax-Inclusive Price$0.00
$
$0$5,000
Sales Tax Amount
—
Total Price
—
Pre-Tax Price
—
Rate Applied
—

🛍️ What is California Sales Tax?

California sales tax is a consumption tax collected by retailers at the point of sale on most tangible goods. The tax is administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and is composed of multiple layers: a statewide base rate, a uniform local rate, and optional district taxes passed by voters at the city or county level.

The statewide base rate is 7.25%, broken down as 6% state general fund, 1% uniform local tax (distributed to counties and cities), and 0.25% county transportation fund. On top of this base, many jurisdictions add voter-approved district taxes ranging from 0.125% to more than 3%. That is why the combined rate varies so widely across the state, from 7.25% in some rural areas to as high as 10.75% in places like Hayward.

You encounter this calculator in several real-world situations. As a shopper, you want to know the true cost before you buy a $2,500 laptop in San Diego or a $400 pair of shoes in Los Angeles. As a small business owner, you need to quote tax-inclusive prices and then remit only the tax portion to the CDTFA. As an accountant or bookkeeper, you reverse-calculate the pre-tax base from receipts that show only the total charged. As a traveler, you compare purchasing a high-ticket item in a low-rate city such as Irvine (7.75%) versus a high-rate city such as Hayward (10.75%) to decide where to shop.

A common misconception is that California has one single sales tax rate. In practice, the rate depends on the physical location of the point of sale, not the billing address. A retailer in Pasadena charges 10.25% even if the buyer lives in San Diego. Online sellers with California nexus must charge the rate for the destination address. Another frequent confusion: the tax is on the seller but passed on to the buyer, so legally the seller owes the CDTFA, not the consumer directly.

📐 Formula

Tax  =  Price × (Rate ÷ 100)
Tax = sales tax amount in dollars
Price = pre-tax price in dollars
Rate = combined sales tax rate for the city (%)
Total = Price + Tax
Pre-Tax  =  Total ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100)
Pre-Tax = price before tax, extracted from a tax-inclusive total
Total = tax-inclusive price
Rate = combined sales tax rate for the city (%)
Tax Amount = Total − Pre-Tax
Example (Add Tax): $100 item in Los Angeles at 10.25% = $10.25 tax = $110.25 total
Example (Remove Tax): $110.25 total at 10.25% = $110.25 / 1.1025 = $100.00 pre-tax

📖 How to Use This Calculator

Steps

1
Select your city: Choose from the dropdown list of 20 California cities. The combined 2025 rate appears next to the city name and updates the Rate Applied display. If your city is not listed, choose Custom Rate and enter the exact percentage.
2
Choose a calculation mode: Click Add Tax if you know the pre-tax price and want to compute what the customer pays. Click Remove Tax if you have a tax-included receipt total and need to separate tax from the base price.
3
Enter the price: Type the amount in the input field or drag the slider. The slider range is $0 to $5,000. For larger purchases, type the value directly into the input box.
4
Read the results: The calculator displays Sales Tax Amount, Total Price, Pre-Tax Price, and Rate Applied instantly. Use the share buttons to copy, print, or send the result.

💡 Example Calculations

Example 1: Buying Electronics in Los Angeles

$85 item purchased in Los Angeles at 10.25% combined rate

1
Pre-tax price = $85.00
2
Tax = $85.00 x (10.25 / 100) = $85.00 x 0.1025 = $8.71
3
Total = $85.00 + $8.71 = $93.71
Tax = $8.71 | Total = $93.71
Try this example →

Example 2: Decoding a San Francisco Restaurant Receipt

$54.28 tax-inclusive total in San Francisco at 8.625% combined rate

1
Tax-inclusive total = $54.28
2
Pre-tax = $54.28 / (1 + 8.625 / 100) = $54.28 / 1.08625 = $49.97
3
Tax amount = $54.28 − $49.97 = $4.31
Pre-Tax = $49.97 | Tax = $4.31
Try this example →

Example 3: Large Appliance Purchase in San Diego

$2,500 appliance in San Diego at 7.75% combined rate

1
Pre-tax price = $2,500.00
2
Tax = $2,500.00 x (7.75 / 100) = $2,500.00 x 0.0775 = $193.75
3
Total = $2,500.00 + $193.75 = $2,693.75
Tax = $193.75 | Total = $2,693.75
Try this example →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the California sales tax rate in 2025?+
The statewide base rate is 7.25%. Most cities add local district taxes, so combined rates range from 7.25% to 10.75% depending on location. Los Angeles and Oakland are at 10.25%, while Hayward is the highest at 10.75%. Use the city dropdown above to get the exact rate for your location.
How do I calculate sales tax in California?+
Multiply the pre-tax price by the combined rate expressed as a decimal. For a $100 item in Sacramento (8.75%): Tax = $100 x 0.0875 = $8.75, Total = $108.75. The formula is Tax = Price x (Rate / 100). This calculator does the arithmetic instantly for any city and price.
How do I remove sales tax from a price in California?+
Divide the tax-inclusive total by (1 + Rate/100). For a $108.75 total at 8.75%: Pre-tax = $108.75 / 1.0875 = $100.00. The Remove Tax mode in this calculator handles this automatically. It is useful when a receipt shows a total and you need the pre-tax base for reimbursement or accounting.
Are groceries taxable in California?+
Most unprepared grocery items sold for home consumption are exempt from California sales tax. Exemptions cover cold sandwiches, packaged foods, and most beverages. However, hot prepared foods, soft drinks, candy, and dietary supplements are taxable at the full combined rate. When in doubt, check the CDTFA exemption list for the specific item.
Does California charge sales tax on clothing?+
Yes. California taxes clothing purchases at the full combined sales tax rate. There is no clothing exemption like the ones in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. A $200 jacket in Irvine (7.75%) adds $15.50 in tax; the same jacket in Oakland (10.25%) adds $20.50.
Why do different California cities have different sales tax rates?+
California law allows cities, counties, and special districts to add voter-approved transactions and use taxes on top of the statewide 7.25% base. These district taxes fund local services such as transportation, public safety, and social programs. Each jurisdiction's voters decide whether to add, extend, or increase these taxes, resulting in rates that vary by address.
What is the sales tax rate in San Jose, California in 2025?+
San Jose's combined sales tax rate is 9.375% in 2025. This includes the statewide 7.25% base plus Santa Clara County and city district add-ons. The rate applies throughout the San Jose city limits. Some neighboring cities in Santa Clara County may have different rates.
Is there sales tax on cars in California?+
Yes. Vehicle purchases are subject to California sales tax at the rate of the buyer's city of registration, not the dealer's location. For a $35,000 car registered in Los Angeles (10.25%), the tax is $3,587.50. The DMV collects this tax as part of the vehicle registration process, separate from the dealer's transaction.
Do I owe California sales tax on out-of-state online purchases?+
Yes, technically. If an out-of-state seller does not collect California sales tax and the item would otherwise be taxable, you owe California use tax at the same rate. California residents are required to report untaxed purchases on their state income tax return (Schedule CA). Since 2019, large remote sellers must collect and remit CA sales tax directly.
What is the difference between sales tax and use tax in California?+
Sales tax is collected by the seller at the point of sale in California. Use tax is owed by the buyer when a taxable item is purchased from an out-of-state seller who does not collect sales tax, or when goods are brought into California from another state. Both taxes exist at the same combined rate and serve the same revenue purpose. They are designed to ensure that all taxable purchases are taxed regardless of where the transaction occurs.
Are services taxable in California?+
Generally, services are not subject to California sales tax. Legal, medical, accounting, and consulting services are exempt. However, if a service involves fabricating, repairing, or installing tangible personal property, the materials used may be taxable. For example, an auto repair shop charges sales tax on parts but not on labor.
How often do California sales tax rates change?+
Rates change when voters approve or let expire local district taxes, typically at the November general election. The CDTFA publishes updated rate tables quarterly (January, April, July, and October). The rates in this calculator reflect the 2025 combined rates as of the most recent CDTFA publication.
Tags: California Sales Tax Calculator CA Sales Tax 2025 Sales Tax Calculator California Tax Rate by City Remove Sales Tax Calculator Formula Free Online

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What is the California state sales tax rate in 2025?

California's statewide base rate is 7.25%, composed of 6% state tax, 1% uniform local tax, and 0.25% county transportation fund. Most cities add district taxes on top, pushing combined rates to 8.25%-10.75% depending on location.

Which California city has the highest sales tax rate in 2025?

Among major cities, Hayward has the highest combined rate at 10.75%. Los Angeles, Oakland, Pasadena, and Long Beach follow at 10.25%. The exact rate for any address can vary by district boundary.

How do I calculate California sales tax?

Multiply the pre-tax price by the combined rate divided by 100. For example, a $100 item in San Francisco (8.625%) incurs $8.63 in tax for a $108.63 total. The formula is: Tax = Price x (Rate / 100).

How do I remove California sales tax from a total price?

Divide the tax-inclusive total by (1 + Rate/100). For a $108.63 total at 8.625%: Pre-tax = 108.63 / 1.08625 = $100.00. The calculator's Remove Tax mode does this automatically.

Are groceries exempt from California sales tax?

Yes. Most unprepared food items sold for home consumption are exempt from California sales tax. However, hot prepared foods, soft drinks, and candy are taxable at the full combined rate.

Is clothing taxable in California?

Yes. Unlike some other states, California does not exempt clothing from sales tax. All apparel is taxable at the applicable combined rate for the point of sale.

What is the sales tax rate in Los Angeles in 2025?

The combined sales tax rate in Los Angeles is 10.25% in 2025, made up of the 7.25% statewide base plus 3% in local district taxes. This rate applies across most of the city limits.

What is the sales tax rate in San Francisco in 2025?

San Francisco's combined rate is 8.625% in 2025. It sits below Los Angeles because SF imposes fewer district-level add-ons beyond the state and county base.

Can cities in California have different sales tax rates?

Yes. California allows cities and special districts to add voter-approved taxes on top of the statewide 7.25% base, up to a combined cap of 10.25% for general-purpose taxes. Some places exceed this cap through special district overrides.

Is online shopping subject to California sales tax?

Yes. Since 2019, out-of-state sellers with more than $500,000 in California sales must collect and remit California sales tax. California residents owe use tax on untaxed online purchases even if the seller does not collect it.

What is use tax in California?

Use tax is the counterpart to sales tax. It applies when you buy a taxable item from an out-of-state seller who does not collect California sales tax, or when you bring a purchase into California. The rate equals what sales tax would have been.

Does California sales tax apply to services?

Generally no. California sales tax applies to the sale of tangible personal property. Most services, such as legal, medical, and consulting fees, are not subject to sales tax unless they are bundled with a taxable product sale.

📌 Quick Tips

💡Los Angeles, Oakland, Pasadena, Long Beach, and Berkeley all share the 10.25% combined rate, while Hayward is the highest in this list at 10.75%.
💡Orange County cities such as Anaheim and Irvine sit at the state minimum of 7.75% because no local district taxes apply there.
💡Use the Remove Tax mode when a receipt shows a tax-inclusive price and you need to know the pre-tax value for expense reporting.
💡Custom rate lets you enter any rate from 0% to 30%, useful for cities outside the preset list or for future rate changes.
💡California's statewide base rate is 7.25% (6% state + 1% county + 0.25% county transportation). Every city's combined rate builds on top of this.