California Income Tax Calculator

Taxes in California

California State Tax Quick Facts

• Income tax: 1% - 12.3%
• Sales tax: 7.25% - 10.25%
• Property tax: 0.77% average effective rate
• Gas tax: 55.53 cents per gallon of regular gasoline, 87.35 cents per gallon of diesel

California has among the highest taxes in the nation. Its base sales tax rate of 7.25% is higher than that of any other state, and its top marginal income tax rate of 12.3% is the highest state income tax rate in the country. The Golden State fares slightly better where real estate is concerned. In 2017, the average homeowner paid just 0.77% of their actual home values in real estate taxes each year, 15th lowest in the country.

Of course, all of these values vary depending on each taxpayer’s individual finances. For example, if you earn less than $54,000 per year, your marginal rate in California will be no higher than 8%, and your effective income tax rate (the actual amount you pay in taxes) will be closer to 4%.

A financial advisor in California can help you understand how taxes fit into your overall financial goals. Financial advisors can also help with investing and financial plans, including retirement, homeownership, insurance and more, to make sure you are preparing for the future.

California Income Taxes

California has a progressive income tax, which means rates are lower for lower earners, and grow as incomes increase, similar to the federal income tax system. In all, there are nine income tax brackets in California, with rates ranging from as low as 1% up to 12.3%. The table further demonstrates tax rates for Californians.

In addition to those income tax brackets, there is a 1% tax on personal income over $1 million. As part of the Mental Health Services Act, this tax provides funding for mental health programs in the state. It functions like a normal income tax and means that the top marginal rate in California is, effectively, 13.3%. That’s the highest rate in the U.S., but it only applies to income earners with over $1 million in taxable income.

It’s important to note that those rates do not apply to actual income, but adjusted gross income. That is income after all applicable deductions and exemptions have been subtracted. The standard deduction in California is $4,401 for a single filer and $8,802 for joint filers. Taxpayers in California may also be eligible for a number of tax credits, for financial events and expenses including childcare, buying a new home, the purchase of an electric vehicle and installing solar panels on their house.

California Sales Tax

California’s base sales tax is 7.25%, highest in the country. That means that, regardless of where you are in the state, you will pay an additional 7.25% of the purchase price of any taxable good. Since many cities and counties also enact their own sales taxes, however, the actual rate paid throughout much of the state will be even higher than that. The table below shows state and county tax rates for each of the 58 counties in California as well as the combined state, county and city income taxes for the 100 largest cities. These are the rates you would actually pay on taxable products within city limits.