Tools · Sales Tax
California Sales Tax Calculator (2026)
Estimate sales tax on a purchase in California for 2026. Enter a price to see the tax and total at California’s combined rate of about 8.99% — the 7.25% state base plus the average 1.74% local tax. This is a state + average local estimate, not an address-exact rate.
California sales tax calculator
- Purchase price
- $100.00
- State base rate (7.25%)
- +$7.25
- Average local rate (1.74%)
- +$1.74
- Sales tax (8.99% combined)
- +$8.99
- Total price
- $108.99
California has the highest state base sales tax in the nation at 7.25%. On top of that, local district taxes average about 1.7%.
The 7.25% state rate already includes a 1.25% mandatory statewide local tax — you may see "6%" cited elsewhere as the true state portion.
- This is the state base plus the average local rate — not an address-exact rate. Your actual rate depends on your city, county, and special district, and can be higher or lower than the state average.
- Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt or taxed at a lower rate in most states. A blended rate over-taxes those categories — use it for general merchandise.
- Clothing rules vary sharply. Pennsylvania and New Jersey exempt most clothing; Massachusetts exempts clothing up to $175 per item; New York exempts items under $110. Check your state before assuming apparel is taxed.
State revenue agencies (base rate) · Tax Foundation, population-weighted average local, Jan 1 2026. California: California CDTFA.
Estimate for 2026, using the state base rate plus the population-weighted average local rate. It is not an address-exact quote and excludes category exemptions and special district taxes. This is general information, not tax advice.
How California sales tax works
California has the highest state base sales tax in the nation at 7.25%. On top of that, local district taxes average about 1.7%. This calculator uses the population-weighted average local rate, so your actual rate depends on your city, county, and special district — it can be higher or lower.
On the state rate: The 7.25% state rate already includes a 1.25% mandatory statewide local tax — you may see "6%" cited elsewhere as the true state portion.
Remember that groceries and prescription drugs are exempt or reduced in most states, so a blended rate over-taxes those categories. This is a 2026 estimate for general merchandise, not an address-exact quote and not tax advice. State revenue agencies (base rate) · Tax Foundation, population-weighted average local, Jan 1 2026.
Sales tax calculators for other states
Same 2026 data, each with its own state and local rates.