Visalia Sales Tax Rate
8.50% combined in Visalia, Tulare County · California's #40 city by population
The sales tax rate in Visalia is 8.50% as of October 13, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.25% in local district taxes: 0.50% across Tulare County and 0.75% from the city itself.
Visalia Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax at 8.50%
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Where the 8.50% comes from
Every California sale starts at the 7.25% statewide base. Tulare County voters and agencies have added 1 district tax that applies in every city in the county, and Visalia adds 2 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% |
| Tulare County Transportation Authority | Tulare County | April 2007 | 0.50% |
| City of Visalia Public Safety Transactions and Use Tax | Visalia only | July 2004 | 0.25% |
| City of Visalia Transactions and Use Tax | Visalia only | April 2017 | 0.50% |
| Combined rate in Visalia | 8.50% |
Sales tax on common purchases in Visalia
| Price before tax | Tax at 8.50% | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $8.50 | $108.50 |
| $500.00 | $42.50 | $542.50 |
| $1,000.00 | $85.00 | $1,085.00 |
| $2,500.00 | $212.50 | $2,712.50 |
| $35,000.00 (car registered in Visalia) | $2,975.00 | $37,975.00 |
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 Visalia compares
Visalia's 8.50% is the 70th-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities. Across the 8 cities in Tulare County, rates run from 8.25% (Tulare) to 9.25% (Porterville). Unincorporated areas pay 7.75%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Visalia, California?
Visalia's combined sales tax rate is 8.50% as of October 13, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.25% in district taxes (0.50% countywide and 0.75% from the city).
Does Visalia have its own city sales tax?
Yes. Visalia adds 0.75% on top of the county rate through City of Visalia Public Safety Transactions and Use Tax (0.25%) and City of Visalia 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 Visalia?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a Visalia address, a car is taxed at 8.50%: $2,975.00 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does Visalia's rate compare with the rest of Tulare County?
Rates in Tulare County's cities run from 8.25% to 9.25% (Porterville). Visalia is at 8.50%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 7.75%.
Is the rate the same at every address in Visalia?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say Visalia 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.