State Unveils New Sales Tax Tool "To Reduce Retailer Errors and Consumer Complaints"

The following is a press release from State Board of Equalization: 

The California State Board of Equalization unveiled an easy-to-use, online mapping tool that will help prevent consumers from being overcharged sales tax, announced Michelle Steel, Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the agency’s Customer Services and Administrative Efficiency Committee.

Using the mapping service, retailers simply enter an address, and the service pin-points the location on a map and provides the sales and use tax rate at that address. It also shows the entire area where that rate applies.

Sales and use tax rates vary widely across California, and can change over time. Retailers can easily find the current tax rate at a specific location using this new service. It helps to ensure that their customers pay the correct amount of tax.

“With many different local sales tax rates across the state, it can be very difficult for retailers and consumers to find the correct rate for their area,” said Vice Chair Steel. “This new tool will help businesses and consumers determine accurate sales tax rates across the state and reduce erroneous charges.”

In response to recent reports of consumers being overcharged because of misapplied sales tax rates, Vice Chair Steel proposed an enhanced mapping tool to improve the tax rate information provided by BOE to retailers and consumers. She then convened her Customer Service and Administrative Efficiency Committee in August for staff to share their progress with Board Members.

In addition to the statewide sales and use tax rate of 7.50 percent, some cities and counties have voter approved districttaxes. Multiple district taxes may also be in effect at a specific location. More than three-fourths of all businesses in the state are located, or do business, in areas with a district tax. The highest sales and use tax rate in California is currently 10.00 percent in the Los Angeles County cities of La Mirada, Pico Rivera, and South Gate.

For more information about sales and use tax rates, including help for consumers who have been overcharged, visitwww.boe.ca.gov/knowyourrate.

This service was jointly developed with the California Department of Technology.