Combined sales tax rate
9.75%
City of Palo Alto (incorporated)
What makes up the rate
- State6%
- Local (statewide)1.25%
- District / special2.5%
Sales tax calculator
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Tax $9.75 · Total $109.75
Good to know
- Statewide base 7.25% (6.00% state + 1.25% Bradley-Burns local).
- Santa Clara County countywide district taxes 2.5%: Santa Clara County 2026 Retail Transactions and Use Tax 0.625% (Measure A, Nov 2025; since 2026-04-01; expires 2031-03-31); Santa Clara County Transit District 0.5% (since 1976-10-01; no sunset); Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority 0.5% (since 2006-04-01; expires 2036-03-31); Silicon Valley Transportation Solutions Tax 0.5% (since 2017-04-01; expires 2047-03-31); 2020 Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board Retail Transactions and Use Tax 0.125% (since 2021-07-01; expires 2051-06-30); Santa Clara County Retail Transactions and Use Tax 0.125% (since 2013-04-01; no sunset); Santa Clara VTA BART Operating and Maintenance Transactions and Use Tax 0.125% (since 2012-07-01; expires 2042-06-30).
- No city-level district tax.
- District names, operative and expiration dates from CDTFA-105 (rev. 10-26) and CDTFA-823 (effective 10/1/2026); combined rate from CDTFA rate file SalesTaxRates10-1-26.xlsx.
Palo Alto vs nearby cities
- Palo Alto9.75%
- Sunnyvale9.75%
- Santa Clara9.75%
- San Mateo9.625%
- Pleasanton10.25%
- San Ramon9.75%
- Livermore10.25%
- Walnut Creek9.25%
- Richmond9.75%
- Concord9.75%
- Antioch9.75%
Other Local City Network guides in the same state, nearest first.
Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Palo Alto?
9.75% for most purchases, effective October 1, 2026, per the CDTFA California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates.
What makes up the Palo Alto sales tax?
State 6%, Local (statewide) 1.25%, District / special 2.5%.
How much tax is on a $100 purchase in Palo Alto?
$9.75 on a $100 purchase, for a total of $109.75.
Where does this rate come from?
CDTFA California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates. Rates can differ at some addresses (special districts) and for some items; check the official source for a specific address.
Source: CDTFA California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates, effective October 1, 2026; checked 2026-11-07. Not tax advice.