Living here
Carmel-by-the-Sea sales tax rate
9.25% combined as of October 1, 2026.
Combined sales tax rate
9.25%
City of Carmel-by-the-Sea (incorporated)
What makes up the rate
- State6%
- Local (statewide)1.25%
- District / special2%
Sales tax calculator
Tax $9.25 · Total $109.25
Good to know
- Statewide base 7.25% (6.00% state + 1.25% Bradley-Burns local).
- Monterey County countywide district taxes 0.5%: Monterey Transportation Safety Transactions and Use Tax 0.375% (since 2017-04-01; expires 2047-03-31); Monterey-Salinas MST Special Transit District 0.125% (since 2015-04-01; expires 2030-03-31).
- City district taxes 1.5%: City of Carmel-by-the-Sea 2020 Transactions and Use Tax 1.5% (since 2020-07-01; expires 2040-06-30).
- The 1% Monterey County Unincorporated Area tax (Measure AA) does not apply inside the city.
- 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.
Carmel-by-the-Sea vs nearby cities
- Carmel-by-the-Sea9.25%
- Salinas9.25%
- Santa Clara9.75%
- Sunnyvale9.75%
- Palo Alto9.75%
- San Mateo9.625%
- Pleasanton10.25%
- Livermore10.25%
- San Ramon9.75%
- Walnut Creek9.25%
- Paso Robles8.75%
Other Local City Network guides in the same state, nearest first.
Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
9.25% for most purchases, effective October 1, 2026, per the CDTFA California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates.
What makes up the Carmel-by-the-Sea sales tax?
State 6%, Local (statewide) 1.25%, District / special 2%.
How much tax is on a $100 purchase in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
$9.25 on a $100 purchase, for a total of $109.25.
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.