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Taxes In California

California Tax Rates, Collections, and Burdens

How does California’s tax code compare? California has a graduated state individual income tax, with rates ranging from 1.00 percent to 13.30 percent. There is also a jurisdiction that collects local income taxes. California has an 8.84 percent corporate income tax rate. California also has a 7.25 percent state sales tax rate and an average combined state and local sales tax rate of 8.85 percent. California has a 0.68 percent effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing value.

California does not have an estate tax or inheritance tax. California has a 68.1 cents per gallon gas tax rate and a $2.87 cigarette excise tax rate. The State of California collects $9,229 in state and local tax collections per capita. California has $13,845 in state and local debt per capita and has a 79 percent funded ratio of public pension plans. Overall, California’s tax system ranks 48th on our 2024 State Business Tax Climate Index.

Each state’s tax code is a multifaceted system with many moving parts, and California is no exception. The first step towards understanding California’s tax code is knowing the basics. How does California collect tax revenue? Click the tabs below to learn more! You can also explore our state tax maps, which are compiled from our annual publication, Facts & Figures 2024: How Does Your State Compare?

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Tax Data by State

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State Tax Data

Individual Taxes

Top Individual Income Tax Rate
13.3%See Full Study
State Local Individual Income Tax Collections per Capita
$3743Rank: 1
State and Local Tax Burden
13.5%Rank: 43See Full Study

Business Taxes

Top Corporate Income Tax Rate
8.84%See Full Study
State Business Tax Climate Index Ranking
48See Full Study

Sales Taxes

State Sales Tax Rate
7.25%Rank: 1See Full Study
Average Local Sales Tax Rate
1.6%See Full Study
Combined State and Average Local Sales Tax Rate
8.85%Rank: 8See Full Study
State and Local General Sales Tax Collections per Capita
$1525Rank: 16
State Gasoline Tax Rate (cents per gallon)
68.10¢Rank: 1
State Cigarette Tax Rate (dollars per 20-pack)
$2.87Rank: 12

Property Taxes

Property Taxes Paid as a Percentage of Owner-Occupied Housing Value
0.68%Rank: 34
State and Local Property Tax Collections Per Capita
$2100Rank: 14

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