What You Pay in Sales Tax in Los Angeles
The sales tax rate in Los Angeles County is 9.5% as of 2024. This rate combines the California state sales tax of 7.25% with local taxes added by Los Angeles County and individual cities within it. The exact rate you pay depends on which city or unincorporated area of the county you are in, because some cities add their own local sales tax on top of the county rate.
When you buy something at a store in Los Angeles, the cashier charges you the combined rate for your specific location. You will see this total on your receipt. The 9.5% figure applies to most of Los Angeles proper, but nearby cities like Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Pasadena have different rates because they impose their own local taxes.
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles County's base sales tax is 9.5%, made up of California's 7.25% state rate plus local additions.
- Individual cities within Los Angeles County may charge different rates, so your exact tax depends on where you shop.
- Sales tax applies to most tangible goods but not to groceries, prescription medications, or most services.
- The rate you see on your receipt is the final combined rate for your location—you do not calculate it yourself.
How California and Local Taxes Stack Together
California's state sales tax is 7.25%, and this applies everywhere in the state. On top of this, counties and cities can add their own local sales taxes. Los Angeles County adds 1.25% to the state rate, bringing the total to 8.25% before any city adds more. The City of Los Angeles then adds 1.25% on top of that, which is why the rate in most of Los Angeles reaches 9.5%.
This layering means that if you drive from Los Angeles to an unincorporated part of the county, or to a neighboring city, your sales tax rate will change. For example, the city of West Hollywood charges 9.5%, but Santa Monica charges 10.25% because it has a higher local rate. Long Beach charges 9.5%, matching Los Angeles proper. You do not need to track these differences yourself—the register at checkout always shows the correct rate for that location.
What Items Are Taxed and What Are Not
Sales tax in California applies to most things you buy in a store: clothing, electronics, furniture, toys, and household goods all get taxed at the full rate. However, some items are exempt. Groceries—fresh produce, meat, dairy, and packaged foods meant to eat at home—are not taxed. Prescription medications are also exempt, though over-the-counter medicines like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed.
Services are generally not taxed, which is why a haircut, car repair, or plumbing visit does not have sales tax added. However, if you buy a product as part of a service (like a salon selling you shampoo), that product portion may be taxed. Restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed, even if you take them home. When in doubt, the receipt will show what was taxed and what was not.
Sales Tax Rates in Nearby Los Angeles Cities
If you shop in cities near Los Angeles, your rate will differ. Here are some common ones:
| City | Sales Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 9.5% |
| Long Beach | 9.5% |
| Pasadena | 9.5% |
| Santa Monica | 10.25% |
| West Hollywood | 9.5% |
| Culver City | 9.5% |
| Torrance | 9.5% |
| Beverly Hills | 9.5% |
These rates can change when cities or the county adjust their local tax rates, so if you are shopping in a specific city regularly, you can verify the current rate on that city's official website or by calling the city clerk's office. Most cities update their rates once or twice per year.
Why Sales Tax Rates Change
Sales tax rates in Los Angeles County have risen over the past decade as cities and the county have added local taxes to fund schools, transportation, and public services. In 2012, the Los Angeles sales tax was 9.25%; it increased to 9.5% in 2017 when voters approved Measure M, a half-cent sales tax for transit improvements. Other cities have made similar changes based on local ballot measures and budget needs.
These changes happen through local elections where voters decide whether to approve a new tax rate. You will not see a sudden jump at the register without warning—cities announce changes in advance, and the new rate takes effect on a specific date. If you are tracking your budget or comparing prices between locations, checking the current rate for your city is worth doing once a year.
How to Find the Exact Rate for Your Location
The simplest way to find your exact sales tax rate is to look at a recent receipt from a store in your area. The rate is printed on it. If you do not have a receipt, you can search online for "sales tax [your city name] California" or visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration website, which lists rates by city and county.
You can also call your city's finance or revenue department and ask for the current combined sales tax rate. They can tell you the exact percentage and explain what local taxes make up that total. If you are planning a large purchase and want to know the final cost, multiply the item price by the tax rate (for example, a $100 item in Los Angeles would cost $109.50 with 9.5% tax).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sales tax the same everywhere in Los Angeles County?
No. While most cities in Los Angeles County charge 9.5%, some charge more or less. Santa Monica is 10.25%, and a few smaller cities have different rates. The rate depends on which city you are in, not just the county.
Do I pay sales tax on groceries?
No. Fresh groceries like produce, meat, dairy, and packaged foods meant to eat at home are not taxed in California. However, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and hot foods are taxed, even if you take them home.
Can the sales tax rate change during the year?
Yes, though it is uncommon. Most rate changes happen on January 1 or July 1 after voters approve a new tax. Cities announce these changes well in advance, so you will know before the new rate takes effect.
Why is sales tax higher in some Los Angeles cities than others?
Each city can set its own local sales tax rate on top of California's state rate and the county rate. Cities use these local taxes to fund schools, transit, parks, and other services. Voters in each city decide whether to approve a local tax increase through a ballot measure.
Do I need to calculate sales tax myself, or does the register do it?
The register calculates it for you. The total price shown at checkout already includes the correct sales tax for your location. You do not need to do any math.