2026 Bringing Sales Tax Hikes For Some In CA, Including Santa Clara County

CULVER CITY, CA — One California city will ring in the new year with a sales tax hike, but it’s far from the only municipality set to see sales taxes go up in 2026.

Culver City voters approved a 0.25 percent district tax in an August special election, which will hike sales taxes in the city from 10.5 percent to 10.75 percent as of Jan. 1, according to the city and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

The increase will generate about $5.6 million annually for city services, including maintaining three fully staffed fire stations, retaining first responders, homelessness reduction services and encampment prevention, park and field improvements, street and storm drain repairs, and senior and youth services, according to the city.

On April 1, all of Santa Clara County will see a five-year 0.625 percent sales tax increase take effect after voters approved the hike in November, KTVU reported.

The measure is estimated to raise about $330 million per year to help offset an over $1 billion annual budget shortfall due to federal cuts, according to the county.

The money will support trauma, emergency, mental health and safety services and reduce the likelihood of hospital closures within Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, KTVU reported.

With the change, three cities in the county will reach a sales tax rate of 10 percent or more: Milpitas, San Jose and Campbell, with Campbell’s sales tax rate remaining the highest in the county, rising to 10.5 percent, according to San Jose Spotlight. In Los Gatos, the new sales tax rate will be just under 10 percent at 9.875 percent, Spotlight reported, while the other 11 cities in the county will see sales tax rates rise to 9.75 percent.

To check your local sales tax rate as of Jan. 1, visit https://cdtfa.ca.gov/taxes-and-fees/TaxRatesbyCountyandCity.pdf.