Sales tax & VAT / California Sales Tax Calculator

California Sales Tax Calculator

US rates · checked 20 Oct 2026
$

Enter a number of at least 0

%

Enter a number from 0 to 15%

Leave at 0 for the California state rate only. Add your local rate to match a receipt.

Total with tax
$107.25
$7.25sales tax
7.25%combined rate
$0total $107.25
  • Price
  • California tax
Price before tax$100.00
California state tax · 7.25%+$7.25
Local tax · none entered+$0.00
Total the buyer pays$107.25

Base rate 7.25%, checked against the California revenue department on 20 Oct 2026. Local taxes are not included.

See breakdown

How the California sales tax calculation works

California's sales tax rate is 7.25%: $7.25 on a $100 sale and $72.50 on $1,000. This is the base rate only. District taxes of 0.10% to 2% are added on top in most areas, and some areas have more than one. Enter your price and any local rate to see the California sales tax and the total.

  1. Start with the 7.25% base rate

    California charges 7.25% on taxable sales. The 7.25% statewide base rate is 6% state tax plus 1.25% local tax charged everywhere in California.

  2. Add your local rate if there is one

    District taxes of 0.10% to 2% are added on top in most areas, and some areas have more than one. Enter that rate as the local tax; California's revenue department lists the rate for each address.

  3. Multiply the price by the rate

    Divide 7.25% by 100 and multiply: $100 × 0.0725 = $7.25, and $250 × 0.0725 = $18.13.

  4. Add the tax to the price

    A $250 item in California costs the buyer $268.13 at the base rate, before any local tax.

Worked example. A $250.00 sale in California at the 7.25% base rate carries $18.13 in sales tax, for a $268.13 total. If a 1% local tax applied on top, the combined rate would be 8.25% and the California buyer would pay $270.63.

California Sales Tax FAQ

What is the sales tax rate in California?

The California base sales tax rate is 7.25%, checked on 20 Oct 2026. The 7.25% statewide base rate is 6% state tax plus 1.25% local tax charged everywhere in California. Local taxes, where they apply, are extra.

How much is sales tax in California on $100?

$7.25 at the 7.25% base rate, so a $100 purchase in California costs $107.25 before any local tax. On $250 the tax is $18.13, and on $1,000 it is $72.50.

How do I calculate California sales tax?

Multiply the price by 0.0725 ($100 × 0.0725 = $7.25), then add the tax to the price to get the California total. If you also owe a local rate, add it to 7.25% first.

How do I take California sales tax out of a total?

Divide the total by 1.0725: a $100.00 California receipt at 7.25% is $93.24 before tax plus $6.76 in tax. The Reverse Sales Tax Calculator does this for any rate.

Is the California sales tax rate the same everywhere?

The 7.25% base rate applies statewide. District taxes of 0.10% to 2% are added on top in most areas, and some areas have more than one.

How does California compare with other states?

California's 7.25% is the highest base rate in our table, and the 44 other states and D.C. with a sales tax all charge less. The median state rate is 6% and 5 states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon) have none.

Why is my California receipt different?

Receipts include local taxes where they apply, and some items are taxed at a different rate or exempt. Enter your local rate above, and check California's rules for the item.

Sources: CDTFA: detailed description of the sales and use tax rate · Federation of Tax Administrators: state tax agencies · smbcalc: how we check our numbers

Related calculators

Other states

State base rates, checked against each state's revenue department on 18 Oct 2026. In most states, cities and counties add a local rate on top; each state's page explains how to add yours.