Albany Sales Tax Drops By a Percentage Point in July

There's one kind of change that most of us agree is good.

It's the kind left in your pocket after shopping, and beginning Friday, July 1, there will be more of it. The sales tax rate falls a full percentage point throughout California, which means Albany's rate is now 8.75 percent.

The statewide 1 percent decrease results from the expiration of a 1 percent increase that began in April 2009 as part of the 2008-09 state budget agreement, and that was due to sunset June 30, 2011, according to a news release from State Board of Equalization Chairman Jerome Horton.

The reduction affects the state share of the sales tax, which is falling from 8.25 to 7.25 percent. It will not reduce revenue from any local additions to the sales tax, according to El Cerrito City Treasurer Mary Dodge.

Beginning July 1, the sales and use tax range will be 7.25 to 9.75 percent, depending whether additional voter-approved sales taxes apply.  

Everybody makes mistakes ... ! If there's something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at emilier@patch.com.