San Marcos Sales Tax Rate
8.75% combined in San Marcos, San Diego County · California's #80 city by population
The sales tax rate in San Marcos is 8.75% as of October 14, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.50% in local district taxes: 0.50% across San Diego County and 1.00% from the city itself.
San Marcos Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax at 8.75%
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Where the 8.75% comes from
Every California sale starts at the 7.25% statewide base. San Diego County voters and agencies have added 1 district tax that applies in every city in the county, and San Marcos 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% |
| San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission | San Diego County | April 1988 | 0.50% |
| City of San Marcos Transactions and Use Tax | San Marcos only | April 2025 | 1.00% |
| Combined rate in San Marcos | 8.75% |
Sales tax on common purchases in San Marcos
| Price before tax | Tax at 8.75% | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $8.75 | $108.75 |
| $500.00 | $43.75 | $543.75 |
| $1,000.00 | $87.50 | $1,087.50 |
| $2,500.00 | $218.75 | $2,718.75 |
| $35,000.00 (car registered in San Marcos) | $3,062.50 | $38,062.50 |
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 San Marcos compares
San Marcos' 8.75% is the 48th-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities (shared with 20 others). Across the 18 cities in San Diego County, rates run from 7.75% (Carlsbad, Coronado, Encinitas and 3 more) to 8.75% (Chula Vista, Del Mar, Escondido and 5 more). Unincorporated areas pay 7.75%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in San Marcos, California?
San Marcos' combined sales tax rate is 8.75% as of October 14, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.50% in district taxes (0.50% countywide and 1.00% from the city).
Does San Marcos have its own city sales tax?
Yes. San Marcos adds 1.00% on top of the county rate through City of San Marcos Transactions and Use Tax (1.00%). That city portion applies only inside the city limits.
What is the sales tax on a car bought in San Marcos?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a San Marcos address, a car is taxed at 8.75%: $3,062.50 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does San Marcos' rate compare with the rest of San Diego County?
Rates in San Diego County's cities run from 7.75% to 8.75% (Chula Vista, Del Mar, Escondido and others). San Marcos is at 8.75%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 7.75%.
Is the rate the same at every address in San Marcos?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say San Marcos 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.