Sacramento's Current Sales Tax Rate

The sales tax rate in Sacramento is 8.625%. This rate applies to most retail purchases within the city limits. The rate is made up of the California state sales tax (7.25%) plus local taxes added by Sacramento County and the City of Sacramento.

The exact breakdown is: California state tax of 7.25%, plus Sacramento County's 0.5% tax, plus the City of Sacramento's 0.875% tax. When you buy something at a store in Sacramento, the cashier adds all three together to reach 8.625%.

This rate can vary slightly depending on which part of Sacramento you are in, since some neighborhoods or districts may have additional local taxes for specific purposes like transportation or schools. The rate shown here applies to most of the city, but it is worth checking with your local tax assessor if you are in an unincorporated area or near city boundaries.

Key Takeaways

  • Sacramento's sales tax is 8.625%, made up of state tax (7.25%) plus local county and city taxes (1.375% combined).
  • The rate applies to most retail goods and taxable services purchased within Sacramento city limits.
  • Some districts within or near Sacramento may have slightly different rates due to additional local taxes for schools, transit, or other services.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and certain medical equipment are typically exempt from sales tax in California, even in Sacramento.
  • You can verify the exact rate for your specific address through the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration website.

What Items Are Taxed in Sacramento

Most tangible goods — clothing, electronics, furniture, household items — are subject to the full 8.625% sales tax in Sacramento. Restaurants and prepared food also carry the full rate. If you buy a meal ready to eat, the tax applies at checkout.

Services are taxed differently. Haircuts, repairs, and labor charges are generally not taxed in California. However, if you buy a product as part of a service (like paint included in a painting job), that product portion may be taxed.

Some purchases are exempt. Groceries — raw food you cook at home — are not taxed. Prescription medications are not taxed. Medical devices like wheelchairs or diabetic testing supplies are also exempt. Over-the-counter medications like cold medicine or pain relievers are taxed, because they are not prescription items.

How Sales Tax Is Calculated at Checkout

The store's register automatically calculates sales tax on your purchase. If you buy an item priced at $100, the register multiplies $100 by 0.08625 to get $8.63 in tax, bringing your total to $108.63.

Prices displayed on store shelves in Sacramento typically do not include sales tax — they show the pre-tax price. This means the amount you pay at the register will be higher than the price tag. Some stores show the tax amount separately on your receipt; others add it into the final total.

If you are buying multiple items, tax is calculated on the subtotal of all taxable items combined, not on each item individually. This rarely makes a difference, but it is how the math works.

Sales Tax Differences Across California

Sacramento's 8.625% rate is higher than some California cities but lower than others. San Francisco's rate is 8.625% as well. Los Angeles is 9.5%. Rural areas in northern California may be as low as 7.25% (state tax only, with no local additions).

The variation exists because each county and city can add its own local tax on top of the state rate. Sacramento County and the City of Sacramento both chose to add taxes, which is why the rate is above the state baseline. These local taxes fund schools, transportation, and other services.

If you shop online and have the item shipped to Sacramento, you typically pay Sacramento's rate. However, if you have it shipped to another state, you may not pay California sales tax at all — though your home state may charge its own tax instead.

Who Collects and Uses Sales Tax Revenue

The store collects the sales tax from you at the register, but the store does not keep it. The store sends the tax money to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, which then distributes it to Sacramento County and the City of Sacramento.

Sacramento County uses its portion (0.5%) for county services. The City of Sacramento uses its portion (0.875%) for city services like police, fire, parks, and public works. Some of the city's portion may be earmarked for specific purposes — for example, a portion of the tax might be dedicated to homelessness services or transit improvements.

You do not file anything related to sales tax as a consumer. The store handles all the paperwork and payments to the state and local government.

Sales Tax on Online and Mail Orders

If you order something online from a retailer and have it shipped to a Sacramento address, you pay Sacramento's 8.625% sales tax. This applies whether you order from a Sacramento-based company or a company in another state.

Some older online retailers did not collect California sales tax, but California law now requires nearly all online sellers to collect and remit sales tax on purchases shipped to California addresses. The main exceptions are very small sellers (those with less than a certain amount of annual sales), but most major retailers now collect the tax.

If you order from outside the United States and have it shipped to Sacramento, you may not pay California sales tax, but you could owe federal import duties or taxes depending on the item and its value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sales tax the same everywhere in Sacramento?

The rate is 8.625% for most of Sacramento, but some unincorporated areas or special districts may have slightly different rates. If you are near the city boundary or in an unincorporated part of the county, the rate could be 8.125% or another variation. You can check your specific address on the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration website.

Do I pay sales tax on groceries?

No. Groceries — unprepared food you buy to cook at home — are not taxed in California, including in Sacramento. This includes produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. However, prepared foods like deli items, hot foods, or restaurant meals are taxed at the full 8.625% rate.

Can I get a refund of sales tax I paid?

Generally, no. Sales tax is final once you pay it. If you return an item and get a refund, the store refunds the pre-tax price plus the tax you paid, so you are made whole. You do not receive an extra refund of the tax itself.

What about sales tax on cars or large purchases?

Cars, boats, and other vehicles are subject to sales tax in Sacramento at the same 8.625% rate, though the tax is often collected when you register the vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles rather than at the dealership. Large purchases follow the same rules as any other taxable item.

Do I need to pay sales tax if I buy something out of state and bring it to Sacramento?

If you buy something in another state and bring it to Sacramento for personal use, you do not owe California sales tax on that purchase — the other state's tax (if any) already applied. However, if you buy something online from a seller and have it shipped to Sacramento, you pay Sacramento's rate regardless of where the seller is located.