What is CA sales tax in Santa Monica?

Answered by Phillip Nicastro

The sales tax rate in Santa Monica, California is currently set at 10.25%. This rate is the minimum combined sales tax rate for the city, which includes state, county, and city sales tax rates. Let me break down the components of this sales tax rate for a clearer understanding.

1. State Sales Tax Rate: The state of California imposes a sales tax on most retail sales and leases of tangible goods. The current state sales tax rate is 7.25%. This means that for every dollar spent on taxable goods in Santa Monica, 7.25 cents will go towards state sales tax.

2. County Sales Tax Rate: Los Angeles County, where Santa Monica is located, has an additional sales tax rate imposed on top of the state tax. The county sales tax rate is currently 1.25%. This means that an extra 1.25 cents will be added to every dollar spent on taxable goods in Santa Monica as county sales tax.

3. City Sales Tax Rate: Santa Monica also imposes its own sales tax rate on top of the state and county rates. The city sales tax rate in Santa Monica is currently 1.75%. This means that an additional 1.75 cents will be added to every dollar spent on taxable goods within the city limits.

When these three components are added together, we get the total sales tax rate of 10.25% in Santa Monica. It is important to note that this rate applies to taxable goods purchased within the city, and the sales tax rate may vary in other cities or counties within California.

Understanding the sales tax rate is crucial as it affects the final price of goods and services. For example, if you were to buy a product with a price tag of $100 in Santa Monica, you would need to pay an additional $10.25 in sales tax, bringing the total cost to $110.25.

It’s worth mentioning that sales tax rates can change over time due to various factors, such as legislation or local ordinances. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to stay informed about the current sales tax rate in your area.

The sales tax rate in Santa Monica, California is 10.25%, which includes the state sales tax rate of 7.25%, the county sales tax rate of 1.25%, and the city sales tax rate of 1.75%. This rate applies to taxable goods purchased within the city limits and affects the final price of goods and services.