California · CA · Money & taxes
California: Are groceries taxed?
Groceries exempt
California exempts most groceries, legally called food products for human consumption, from sales tax.
The exemption covers food bought to eat at home. Hot prepared food, food eaten in the store, carbonated soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are taxable, and so are non-food grocery items such as pet food and soap.
What the law says
There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part the gross receipts from the sale of, and the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of, food products for human consumption.
Sources
- Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 6359(a) (public.law mirror) Mirror of official text · california.public.law
- CDTFA: Tax Guide for Grocery Stores, Industry Topics Official · cdtfa.ca.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
- Phone
- 1-800-400-7115
- Website
- cdtfa.ca.gov
How bordering states compare
- Arizona Groceries exemptArizona exempts groceries from its state transaction privilege (sales) tax, but cities and towns may tax food.
- Nevada Groceries exemptNevada exempts food for human consumption from sales tax; prepared food, alcohol, pet food and vitamins are taxed.
- Oregon No state sales taxOregon has no general state sales tax, so groceries aren't taxed at the state level.
All 50 states for this question · Other topics in California