San Jose Sales Tax Rate
10.00% combined in San Jose, Santa Clara County · California's #3 city by population
The sales tax rate in San Jose is 10.00% as of October 14, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 2.75% in local district taxes: 2.50% across Santa Clara County and 0.25% from the city itself.
San Jose Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax at 10.00%
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Where the 10.00% comes from
Every California sale starts at the 7.25% statewide base. Santa Clara County voters and agencies have added 7 district taxes that apply in every city in the county, and San Jose 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% |
| 2020 Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board Retail Transactions and Use Tax | Santa Clara County | July 2021 | 0.125% |
| Santa Clara County 2026 Retail Transactions and Use Tax | Santa Clara County | April 2026 | 0.625% |
| Santa Clara County Retail Transactions and Use Tax | Santa Clara County | April 2013 | 0.125% |
| Santa Clara County Transit District | Santa Clara County | October 1976 | 0.50% |
| Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority | Santa Clara County | April 2006 | 0.50% |
| Santa Clara VTA BART Operating and Maintenance Transactions and Use Tax | Santa Clara County | July 2012 | 0.125% |
| Silicon Valley Transportation Solutions Tax | Santa Clara County | April 2017 | 0.50% |
| City of San Jose Transactions and Use Tax | San Jose only | October 2016 | 0.25% |
| Combined rate in San Jose | 10.00% |
Sales tax on common purchases in San Jose
| Price before tax | Tax at 10.00% | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $10.00 | $110.00 |
| $500.00 | $50.00 | $550.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $100.00 | $1,100.00 |
| $2,500.00 | $250.00 | $2,750.00 |
| $35,000.00 (car registered in San Jose) | $3,500.00 | $38,500.00 |
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 San Jose compares
San Jose's 10.00% is the 28th-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities (shared with 1 other). Across the 15 cities in Santa Clara County, rates run from 9.75% (Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos and 8 more) to 10.50% (Campbell). Unincorporated areas pay 9.75%.
| Other large cities in Santa Clara County | Rate |
|---|---|
| Sunnyvale | 9.75% |
| Santa Clara | 9.75% |
| Mountain View | 9.75% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in San Jose, California?
San Jose's combined sales tax rate is 10.00% as of October 14, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 2.75% in district taxes (2.50% countywide and 0.25% from the city).
Does San Jose have its own city sales tax?
Yes. San Jose adds 0.25% on top of the county rate through City of San Jose Transactions and Use Tax (0.25%). That city portion applies only inside the city limits.
What is the sales tax on a car bought in San Jose?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a San Jose address, a car is taxed at 10.00%: $3,500.00 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does San Jose's rate compare with the rest of Santa Clara County?
Rates in Santa Clara County's cities run from 9.75% to 10.50% (Campbell). San Jose is at 10.00%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 9.75%.
Is the rate the same at every address in San Jose?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say San Jose 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.