Santa Maria Sales Tax Rate
8.75% combined in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County · California's #59 city by population
The sales tax rate in Santa Maria is 8.75% as of October 13, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.50% in local district taxes: 0.50% across Santa Barbara County and 1.00% from the city itself.
Santa Maria 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. Santa Barbara County voters and agencies have added 1 district tax that applies in every city in the county, and Santa Maria 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% |
| Santa Barbara County Local Transportation Authority | Santa Barbara County | April 1990 | 0.50% |
| City of Santa Maria Public Safety Transactions and Use Tax | Santa Maria only | April 2019 | 1.00% |
| Combined rate in Santa Maria | 8.75% |
Sales tax on common purchases in Santa Maria
| 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 Santa Maria) | $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 Santa Maria compares
Santa Maria's 8.75% is the 48th-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities (shared with 20 others). Across the 8 cities in Santa Barbara County, rates run from 7.75% (Buellton) to 9.25% (Santa Barbara). Unincorporated areas pay 7.75%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Santa Maria, California?
Santa Maria's combined sales tax rate is 8.75% as of October 13, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.50% in district taxes (0.50% countywide and 1.00% from the city).
Does Santa Maria have its own city sales tax?
Yes. Santa Maria adds 1.00% on top of the county rate through City of Santa Maria Public Safety 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 Santa Maria?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a Santa Maria address, a car is taxed at 8.75%: $3,062.50 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does Santa Maria's rate compare with the rest of Santa Barbara County?
Rates in Santa Barbara County's cities run from 7.75% to 9.25% (Santa Barbara). Santa Maria is at 8.75%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 7.75%.
Is the rate the same at every address in Santa Maria?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say Santa Maria 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.