Los Angeles County sales tax is 9.5 percent

The base sales tax rate in Los Angeles County is 9.5 percent. This is the rate you see applied at checkout in most of the county. However, the actual rate you pay depends on which city or district you are in, because some areas add local taxes on top of the state and county base.

California's state sales tax is 7.25 percent. Los Angeles County adds 2.25 percent on top of that. Many individual cities and special districts within the county then add their own local tax, which is why your receipt might show 9.5 percent, 10 percent, or even higher depending on where you shop.

The rate does not change based on what you buy — groceries, clothing, and electronics are all taxed at the same rate. Food for home consumption (like groceries) is exempt from sales tax in California, but prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed.

Key Takeaways

  • Los Angeles County's base sales tax is 9.5 percent, made up of California's 7.25 percent state rate plus the county's 2.25 percent.
  • Your actual tax rate may be higher than 9.5 percent if your city or local district adds an additional tax on top of the county rate.
  • Groceries and unprepared food are not taxed, but restaurant meals and prepared foods are subject to the full sales tax.
  • The sales tax applies to most goods, including clothing and electronics, but not to services like haircuts or car repairs.

How the 9.5 percent breaks down

The 9.5 percent rate is built in layers. California charges 7.25 percent statewide. Los Angeles County then adds 2.25 percent on top of that, bringing the total to 9.5 percent before any city adds its own rate.

This county-level tax funds county services and infrastructure. It applies across most of Los Angeles County, but not uniformly — some cities have negotiated different arrangements or have older tax structures that work slightly differently.

Cities and districts that charge more than 9.5 percent

Many cities within Los Angeles County add their own local sales tax, pushing the total above 9.5 percent. For example, Long Beach adds 1.25 percent, bringing the rate to 10.75 percent. Santa Monica adds 1.5 percent, for a total of 11 percent. Pasadena adds 2 percent, reaching 11.5 percent.

Smaller cities and unincorporated areas may have different rates as well. The easiest way to find the exact rate for your location is to check your receipt — the tax rate is printed there — or to search "[your city name] sales tax rate" online. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration also publishes a complete list of rates by city and zip code.

What is and is not taxed

Most physical goods are taxed at the full rate: clothing, electronics, furniture, and household items all get the sales tax applied. However, groceries — unprepared food you buy to cook at home — are not taxed in California.

Services are generally not taxed. A haircut, car repair, or plumbing visit does not have sales tax added. However, prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed. A sandwich from a deli counter is taxed; a loaf of bread from the shelf is not. This distinction can be confusing at the register, and some items fall into gray areas depending on how they are sold.

Tax on online and out-of-state purchases

If you buy something online from a retailer that has a physical location in California, sales tax is charged at your delivery address rate. If you buy from an out-of-state retailer with no California presence, you may not see tax added at checkout, but California law requires you to pay use tax on those purchases when you file your state income tax return. Most people do not report this, but it is technically owed.

Large online retailers like Amazon now collect California sales tax on most purchases, so the question of whether tax is charged has become less common. Smaller sellers and marketplaces vary in their practices.

How sales tax affects your budget

A 9.5 percent tax means that a $100 purchase costs $109.50 at checkout. On a $50 item, you pay $54.75. The tax is calculated on the pre-tax price, not added on top of a rounded number, so the exact amount depends on the item's cost.

If you live in a city with a higher rate, the difference adds up. At 11 percent (as in Santa Monica), that same $100 item costs $111. Over a year of shopping, the difference between 9.5 percent and 11 percent can be several hundred dollars for a household.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sales tax the same everywhere in Los Angeles County?

No. The base rate is 9.5 percent, but many cities add their own local tax. Long Beach, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and others charge between 10.75 and 11.5 percent. Check your receipt or search your city's name to find your exact rate.

Why are groceries not taxed but restaurant food is?

California exempts unprepared food for home consumption to reduce the tax burden on basic necessities. Restaurant meals and prepared foods are considered a service or luxury item and are taxed. The line between the two can be unclear — a hot rotisserie chicken from a grocery store deli is usually taxed, but a cold sandwich from the shelf is not.

Do I pay sales tax on clothes and shoes?

Yes. Clothing and shoes are taxed at the full sales tax rate in California, with no exemption. This applies whether you buy them in a store or online from a retailer that collects California tax.

What if I buy something online from out of state?

If the retailer does not have a California location and does not collect sales tax, you are technically required to pay use tax on your state income tax return. However, most people do not report this. Large retailers like Amazon now collect tax on most purchases, so the issue is less common than it once was.

Does sales tax explore to services like haircuts or car repairs?

No. Services are generally not subject to sales tax in California. You pay income tax and other taxes, but not sales tax, on a haircut, car repair, plumbing work, or similar services.