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California Income Tax Calculator

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Overview of California Taxes

California has among the highest taxes in the nation. Sales and income taxes are generally high, but effective property tax rates are below the national average.

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Your Income Taxes Breakdown

Tax Type Marginal 
Tax Rate
Effective 
Tax Rate
2023 
Taxes*
Federal
FICA
State
Local
Total Income Taxes
Income After Taxes
Retirement Contributions
Take-Home Pay

* These are the taxes owed for the 2023 - 2024 filing season.

Your 2023 Federal Income Tax Comparison

  • Your marginal federal income tax rate
  • Your effective federal income tax rate
  • Your federal income taxes

Total Estimated 2023 Tax Burden

Income Tax $
Sales Tax $
Fuel Tax $
Property Tax$
Total Estimated Tax Burden $
Percent of income to taxes = %
$
  • About This Answer

    Our income tax calculator calculates your federal, state and local taxes based on several key inputs: your household income, location, filing status and number of personal exemptions.

    How Income Taxes Are Calculated

    • First, we calculate your adjusted gross income (AGI) by taking your total household income and reducing it by certain items such as contributions to your 401(k).
    • Next, from AGI we subtract exemptions and deductions (either itemized or standard) to get your taxable income. Exemptions can be claimed for each taxpayer as well as dependents such as one’s spouse or children.
    • Based on your filing status, your taxable income is then applied to the the tax brackets to calculate your federal income taxes owed for the year.
    • Your location will determine whether you owe local and / or state taxes.
    ...read more
  • Last Updated: January 1, 2024

    When Do We Update? - We regularly check for any updates to the latest tax rates and regulations.

    Customer Service - If you would like to leave any feedback, feel free to email info@smartasset.com.

    ...read more
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Taxes in California

California State Tax Quick Facts

  • Income tax: 1% - 12.3%
  • Sales tax: 6% (local taxes: 1.25% - 4.75%)
  • Property tax: 0.75% average effective rate
  • Gas tax: 51.10 cents per gallon of regular gasoline, 38.90 cents per gallon of diesel

California has among the highest taxes in the nation. Its base sales tax rate of 6.00% 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, though. The average homeowner pays just 0.75% of their actual home value in real estate taxes each year.

Of course, income tax rates will vary depending on each taxpayer’s individual finances. For example, if you earn less than $68,350 per year, your marginal rate in California will be no higher than 8%.

A financial advisor can help you understand how taxes fit into your overall financial goals. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

California Income Taxes

California has a progressive income tax, which means rates are lower for lower earners and higher for higher earners. This is similar to the federal income tax system. In all, there are nine official income tax brackets in California, with rates ranging from as low as 1% up to 12.3%.

Technically, tax brackets end at 12.3% and 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. The table below further demonstrates tax rates for Californians.

Income Tax Brackets

Single Filers
California Taxable IncomeRate
$0 - $10,4121.00%
$10,412 - $24,6842.00%
$24,684 - $38,9594.00%
$38,959 - $54,0816.00%
$54,081 - $68,3508.00%
$68,350 - $349,1379.30%
$349,137 - $418,96110.30%
$418,961 - $698,27111.30%
$698,271 - $1,000,00012.30%
$1,000,000+13.30%
Married, Filing Jointly
California Taxable IncomeRate
$0 - $20,8241.00%
$20,824 - $49,3682.00%
$49,368 - $77,9184.00%
$77,918 - $108,1626.00%
$108,162 - $136,7008.00%
$136,700 - $698,2749.30%
$698,274 - $837,92210.30%
$837,922 - $1,396,54211.30%
$1,396,542 - $2,000,00012.30%
$2,000,000+13.30%
Married, Filing Separately
California Taxable IncomeRate
$0 - $10,4121.00%
$10,412 - $24,6842.00%
$24,684 - $38,9594.00%
$38,959 - $54,0816.00%
$54,081 - $68,3508.00%
$68,350 - $349,1379.30%
$349,137 - $418,96110.30%
$418,961 - $698,27111.30%
$698,271 - $1,000,00012.30%
$1,000,000+13.30%
Head of Household
California Taxable IncomeRate
$0 - $20,8391.00%
$20,839 - $49,3712.00%
$49,371 - $63,6444.00%
$63,644 - $78,7656.00%
$78,765 - $93,0378.00%
$93,037 - $474,8249.30%
$474,824 - $569,79010.30%
$569,790 - $949,64911.30%
$949,649 - $1,000,00012.30%
$1,000,000+13.30%

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 $5,202 for single filers and $10,404 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.

The city of San Francisco levies a gross receipts tax on the payroll expenses of large businesses. Although this is sometimes conflated as a personal income tax rate, the city only levies this tax on businesses. Therefore, you will not be responsible for paying it.

California Sales Tax

California’s base sales tax is 6.00%. This means that regardless of where you are in the state, you will pay an additional 6.00% of the purchase price of any taxable good. Many cities and counties also enact their own sales taxes, ranging from 1.25% to 4.75%. So the maximum combined rate is 10.75%. The table below shows state and county tax rates for each of the 58 counties in California.

Sales Tax Rates(Updated January 2024)

County NameState TaxLocal TaxMax Tax Rate in County
Alameda County6.00%4.75%10.75%
Alpine County6.00%1.25%7.25%
Amador County6.00%1.75%7.75%
Butte County6.00%2.25%8.25%
Calaveras County6.00%1.75%7.75%
Colusa County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Contra Costa County6.00%4.75%10.75%
Del Norte County6.00%2.25%8.25%
El Dorado County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Fresno County6.00%3.23%9.23%
Glenn County6.00%1.75%7.75%
Humboldt County6.00%3.25%9.25%
Imperial County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Inyo County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Kern County6.00%3.50%9.50%
Kings County6.00%2.25%8.25%
Lake County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Lassen County6.00%2.25%8.25%
Los Angeles County6.00%4.50%10.50%
Madera County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Marin County6.00%3.25%9.25%
Mariposa County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Mendocino County6.00%3.13%9.13%
Merced County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Modoc County6.00%1.25%7.25%
Mono County6.00%1.75%7.75%
Monterey County6.00%3.50%9.50%
Napa County6.00%3.25%9.25%
Nevada County6.00%2.50%8.50%
Orange County6.00%4.25%10.25%
Placer County6.00%1.75%7.75%
Plumas County6.00%2.25%8.25%
Riverside County6.00%3.25%9.25%
Sacramento County6.00%3.25%9.25%
San Benito County6.00%3.25%9.25%
San Bernardino County6.00%4.25%10.25%
San Diego County6.00%2.75%8.75%
San Francisco County6.00%3.88%9.88%
San Joaquin County6.00%4.25%10.25%
San Luis Obispo County6.00%2.75%8.75%
San Mateo County6.00%3.88%9.88%
Santa Barbara County6.00%3.00%9.00%
Santa Clara County6.00%3.88%9.88%
Santa Cruz County6.00%3.75%9.75%
Shasta County6.00%1.75%7.75%
Sierra County6.00%2.25%8.25%
Siskiyou County6.00%1.75%7.75%
Solano County6.00%3.25%9.25%
Sonoma County6.00%3.50%9.50%
Stanislaus County6.00%2.88%8.88%
Sutter County6.00%1.75%7.75%
Tehama County6.00%1.75%7.75%
Trinity County6.00%1.25%7.25%
Tulare County6.00%3.25%9.25%
Tuolumne County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Ventura County6.00%3.50%9.50%
Yolo County6.00%2.75%8.75%
Yuba County6.00%2.25%8.25%

Most items are subject to these rates, but there are some exceptions, as well as certain products that face higher rates. Among the products on which sales taxes are not required are most groceries, prescription medicine and utilities like gas and electricity.

California Alcohol, Cigarette and Gas Taxes

Products that face separate tax rates include alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and gasoline. For alcohol and cigarettes, rates are assessed based on the quantity of the product purchased. Cigarettes, for example, face a tax rate of $13.00 per carton ($1.30 per pack). For regular gasoline, there is a 51.10 cent per gallon excise tax.

California Property Tax

Proposition 13, passed by California’s voters in 1978, sets the maximum allowable property tax rate at 1% of a home’s assessed value. It also limits increases in assessed value to 2% every year, except if the home has changed ownership or undergone construction. That law has helped keep Californians' property tax payments below the national average, and in some cases, significantly so.

If you are looking to refinance or purchase a property in California using a mortgage, check out our guide to mortgage rates and getting a mortgage in the Golden State.

California Estate Tax

California has no estate tax. In some states, inheritances or gifts are subject to a special tax, in addition to the federal estate tax. This is not the case in California.

California Insurance Tax

Insurance premiums are taxable in California. The insurance tax is one of the largest sources of revenue for the state’s general fund. It is imposed on insurance premiums and paid by insurance companies, although in practice it may lead to higher rates for consumers.

Photo credit: flickr
  • California is the largest state by population, with over 39 million residents.
  • The state’s largest economic industries include agriculture, entertainment and high technology.
  • The five most populous cities in the state are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco and Fresno.

Places with the Lowest Tax Burden

Are you curious how your tax burden stacks up against others in your state? SmartAsset’s interactive map highlights the counties with the lowest tax burden. Scroll over any county in the state to learn about taxes in that specific area.

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Methodology

Where you live can have a big impact on both which types of taxes you have to pay each year and how much money you spend on them. SmartAsset calculated the amount of money a specific person would pay in income, sales, property and fuel taxes in each county in the country and ranked the lowest to highest tax burden.

To better compare income tax burdens across counties, we used the national median household income. We then applied relevant deductions and exemptions before calculating federal, state and local income taxes.

In order to determine sales tax burden we estimated that 35% of take-home (after-tax) pay is spent on taxable goods. We multiplied the average sales tax rate for a county by the household income less income tax. This product is then multiplied by 35% to estimate the sales tax paid.

We divided each county's median property tax paid by median property value to determine the median property tax rate by county. We then applied this rate to a hypothetical $250,000 property in each county to calculate a representative property tax paid.

For fuel taxes, we first distributed statewide vehicle miles traveled down to the county level using the number of vehicles in each county. We then calculated the total number of licensed drivers within each county. The countywide miles were then distributed amongst the licensed drivers in the county, which gave us the miles driven per licensed driver. Using the nationwide average fuel economy, we calculated the average gallons of gas used per driver in each county and multiplied that by the fuel tax.

We then added the dollar amount for income, sales, property and fuel taxes to rank the counties. For each of the more than 3300 counties in the nation we determined the tax burden a person who makes the national median household income with a $250,000 house who spends 35% of take-home pay on taxable goods and drives a weighted number of miles per year.

Sources: ESRI, US Census Bureau 2013 American Community Survey, MIT Living Wage Calculator, Kiplinger, government sources