Merced Sales Tax Rate
8.25% combined in Merced, Merced County · California's #79 city by population
The sales tax rate in Merced is 8.25% as of October 13, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.00% in local district taxes: 0.50% across Merced County and 0.50% from the city itself.
Merced Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax at 8.25%
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Where the 8.25% comes from
Every California sale starts at the 7.25% statewide base. Merced County voters and agencies have added 1 district tax that applies in every city in the county, and Merced adds 1 of its own. Each line below is from CDTFA's district tax list.
| Tax | Applies in | In effect since | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| State sales and use tax | All of California | — | 6.00% |
| Local sales tax (Bradley-Burns): 1% for city or county operations, 0.25% for county transportation | All of California | — | 1.25% |
| Merced County Transportation Authority | Merced County | April 2017 | 0.50% |
| City of Merced 2024 Vital Services Protection Transactions and Use Tax | Merced only | July 2024 | 0.50% |
| Combined rate in Merced | 8.25% |
Taxes that ended recently: City of Merced Transactions and Use Tax (0.50%) ended June 30, 2024.
Sales tax on common purchases in Merced
| Price before tax | Tax at 8.25% | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $8.25 | $108.25 |
| $500.00 | $41.25 | $541.25 |
| $1,000.00 | $82.50 | $1,082.50 |
| $2,500.00 | $206.25 | $2,706.25 |
| $35,000.00 (car registered in Merced) | $2,887.50 | $37,887.50 |
Groceries (most food for home consumption) and prescription medicine are exempt from California sales tax, so these rates apply to taxable goods such as clothing, electronics, furniture, restaurant meals and vehicles.
How Merced compares
Merced's 8.25% is the 73rd-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities (shared with 5 others). Across the 6 cities in Merced County, rates run from 8.25% (Dos Palos, Gustine, Merced) to 8.75% (Atwater, Livingston, Los Banos). Unincorporated areas pay 7.75%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Merced, California?
Merced's combined sales tax rate is 8.25% as of October 13, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.00% in district taxes (0.50% countywide and 0.50% from the city).
Does Merced have its own city sales tax?
Yes. Merced adds 0.50% on top of the county rate through City of Merced 2024 Vital Services Protection Transactions and Use Tax (0.50%). That city portion applies only inside the city limits.
What is the sales tax on a car bought in Merced?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a Merced address, a car is taxed at 8.25%: $2,887.50 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does Merced's rate compare with the rest of Merced County?
Rates in Merced County's cities run from 8.25% to 8.75% (Atwater, Livingston, Los Banos). Merced is at 8.25%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 7.75%.
Is the rate the same at every address in Merced?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say Merced while the property sits in an unincorporated area or a neighboring city. Check a specific address with CDTFA's online rate lookup.
Sources
- CDTFA California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates (combined rate for each quarter)
- CDTFA-105, District Taxes, Rates, and Effective Dates and Explanation of Tax Rate Changes (each district tax)
- CDTFA rate lookup by address
Educational information only. Rates are copied from CDTFA's published tables and change on the first day of a calendar quarter when new district taxes start or old ones end. Confirm the rate for a specific address with CDTFA before filing a return.