How high is too high when it comes to California sales taxes?
We may be about to find out.
Starting October 1st, shoppers in Palmdale and Lancaster will face an 11.75% sales-tax rate — among the highest cited in California.
And the Bay Area could be next.
Voters there will consider a half-percent regional transit tax in November, while eight cities are asking voters for additional local sales-tax increases.
If both proposed increases affecting Pacifica pass, its rate would jump from 9.875% to 11.375%.
Here’s some perspective: the national population-weighted average combined state and local sales-tax rate is about 7.5%.
California’s statewide base rate alone is already 7.25% — before local taxes are piled on.
State law generally puts a ceiling on these additional district taxes.
But Sacramento keeps approving exceptions allowing communities and transportation agencies to go higher.
A quarter-percent here. A half-percent there. Another percent somewhere else.
Eventually, California taxpayers may want to ask a pretty basic question:
When does the tax meter stop running?
