San Rafael Sales Tax Calculator
The combined sales tax rate in San Rafael, California is 9.25% in 2026 — a 7.25% California state rate plus 2% in local add-ons. That is the 197th highest rate of the 483 California cities we track, and it runs above California's 8.98% average. On a $100 purchase that's $9.25 in tax for a $109.25 total.
$100.00 total
Before tax: $100.00 · Sales tax: $0.00 (0%)
State & average combined rates: Tax Foundation 2026. Local rates vary by city/county — adjust the rate for an exact figure. How we calculate →
San Rafael sales tax rate in 2026
San Rafael charges a combined sales tax rate of 9.25%: the California statewide base of 7.25% plus 2% in city, county and district add-ons. San Rafael is in Marin County.
That local add-on is set by San Rafael and the taxing districts that overlap it, which is why neighboring cities in California can charge a different total even a few miles apart.
San Rafael vs the rest of California
At 9.25%, San Rafael runs above California's 8.98% statewide average combined rate by 0.27%. Among the 483 California cities we track by combined rate, San Rafael ranks the 197th highest.
That puts San Rafael on the higher end for California — worth double-checking against the official lookup tool if you're quoting a price to a customer or filing a return.
Sales tax examples in San Rafael
At San Rafael's 9.25% combined rate:
$100 → $9.25 tax, $109.25 total · $1,000 → $92.50 tax, $1,092.50 total · $25,000 car purchase → $2,313 tax, $27,313 total.
Working backwards: a $1,090.00 receipt total in San Rafael means the pre-tax price was $997.71 and $92.29 was tax — use “Remove tax” mode above to reverse any total instantly.
A note on San Rafael's exact rate
The 9.25% rate applies within San Rafael's official city limits as published by CDTFA — Find a Sales and Use Tax Rate. Addresses with a San Rafael mailing address but outside the incorporated city line — a common situation on the edges of any city — can fall under a different, usually lower, rate.
For an address-exact rate, use the official lookup tool: CDTFA — Find a Sales and Use Tax Rate. This calculator pre-fills the published city-limits rate as a reliable starting point.
San Rafael sales tax — frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in San Rafael, California?
San Rafael's combined sales tax rate is 9.25% in 2026 — 7.25% California state tax plus 2% in local add-ons. That's the 197th highest rate of the 483 California cities we track.
How much is sales tax on $100 in San Rafael?
At San Rafael's 9.25% rate, sales tax on a $100 purchase is $9.25, for a $109.25 total.
How much sales tax will I pay on a $25,000 car in San Rafael?
At San Rafael's 9.25% combined rate, sales tax on a $25,000 vehicle purchase is about $2,313, for a $27,313 total before any trade-in credit or registration fees.
Is San Rafael's sales tax higher or lower than the California average?
San Rafael runs above California's 8.98% statewide average by 0.27%, ranking the 197th highest of the 483 California cities we track.
How do I calculate sales tax backwards from a total in San Rafael?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. A $1,090.00 total in San Rafael works back to a $997.71 pre-tax price and $92.29 of tax. Use “Remove tax” mode above to do this automatically.
Does San Rafael's sales tax rate apply everywhere in the San Rafael area?
The 9.25% rate applies within San Rafael's official city limits. Nearby addresses outside the incorporated boundary can be taxed at a different rate — check CDTFA — Find a Sales and Use Tax Rate for an address-exact figure.
Compare nearby cities in California
See all 483 California cities ranked by combined sales tax rate, or compare:
Researched & verified by the Calcuris Data & Research Team. How we build and check our tools →