Santa Maria Sales Tax Calculator
The combined sales tax rate in Santa Maria, California is 8.75% in 2026 — a 7.25% California state rate plus 1.5% in local add-ons. That is the 176th lowest rate of the 483 California cities we track, and it runs below California's 8.98% average. On a $100 purchase that's $8.75 in tax for a $108.75 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 →
Santa Maria sales tax rate in 2026
Santa Maria charges a combined sales tax rate of 8.75%: the California statewide base of 7.25% plus 1.5% in city, county and district add-ons. Santa Maria is in Santa Barbara County.
That local add-on is set by Santa Maria and the taxing districts that overlap it, which is why neighboring cities in California can charge a different total even a few miles apart.
Santa Maria vs the rest of California
At 8.75%, Santa Maria runs below California's 8.98% statewide average combined rate by 0.23%. Among the 483 California cities we track by combined rate, Santa Maria ranks the 176th lowest.
That makes Santa Maria comparatively light on sales tax for California, though it's still well above zero.
Sales tax examples in Santa Maria
At Santa Maria's 8.75% combined rate:
$100 → $8.75 tax, $108.75 total · $1,000 → $87.50 tax, $1,087.50 total · $25,000 car purchase → $2,187 tax, $27,187 total.
Working backwards: a $1,090.00 receipt total in Santa Maria means the pre-tax price was $1,002.30 and $87.70 was tax — use “Remove tax” mode above to reverse any total instantly.
A note on Santa Maria's exact rate
The 8.75% rate applies within Santa Maria's official city limits as published by CDTFA — Find a Sales and Use Tax Rate. Addresses with a Santa Maria 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.
Santa Maria sales tax — frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Santa Maria, California?
Santa Maria's combined sales tax rate is 8.75% in 2026 — 7.25% California state tax plus 1.5% in local add-ons. That's the 176th lowest rate of the 483 California cities we track.
How much is sales tax on $100 in Santa Maria?
At Santa Maria's 8.75% rate, sales tax on a $100 purchase is $8.75, for a $108.75 total.
How much sales tax will I pay on a $25,000 car in Santa Maria?
At Santa Maria's 8.75% combined rate, sales tax on a $25,000 vehicle purchase is about $2,187, for a $27,187 total before any trade-in credit or registration fees.
Is Santa Maria's sales tax higher or lower than the California average?
Santa Maria runs below California's 8.98% statewide average by 0.23%, ranking the 176th lowest of the 483 California cities we track.
How do I calculate sales tax backwards from a total in Santa Maria?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. A $1,090.00 total in Santa Maria works back to a $1,002.30 pre-tax price and $87.70 of tax. Use “Remove tax” mode above to do this automatically.
Does Santa Maria's sales tax rate apply everywhere in the Santa Maria area?
The 8.75% rate applies within Santa Maria'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 →