California levies a 7.25% general sales or use tax on consumers, which is the highest in the nation and well above than the national median of 6%. The average local sales tax rate in California is 0.86%. In 2009, California collected $1,015 per capita in general sales taxes, and $323 per capita in excise taxes, for a combined figure of $1,338, which ranks 25th highest nationally. California's statewide gasoline tax stands at 48.6 cents per gallon and is the second highest in the nation, while its cigarette tax stands at $0.87 per pack of twenty (32nd highest nationally). |