Compare state tax rates and rules — on income, ordinary purchases, gas, sin products, property, and more — across the U.S. Go to the Kiplinger Tax Map California Add to State Compare List | View List View State Compare List (0) selected | Compare up to 5 The Bottom Line Tax-Friendly The Golden State’s reputation as a high-tax destination is built in part on how aggressively it goes after big earners, with a 13.3% tax rate that kicks in at $1 million (for single filers) of taxable income. But for more modest incomes, the impact is far milder, and property taxes are low.Still, Californians pay high sales taxes, as well as a high fuel taxes on all that driving they have to do. Sales Tax 7.25% state levy. Localities can add as much as 2.5%, and the average combined rate is 8.66%, according to the Tax Foundation. Income Tax Range Low: 1% (on up to $17,088 of taxable income for married joint filers and up to $8,544 for those filing individually)High: 13.3% (on more than $1,145,960 for married joint filers and $1 million for those filing individually)Effective tax rate: 1.79% for single filers, 4.6% for joint filers. Motor Fuel Taxes Gasoline: $0.6205 per gallon. Diesel: $0.8721 per gallon. Property Taxes In California, residents pay an average of $841 in taxes per $100,000 of assessed home value. Vehicle Taxes California charges an annual fee that functions much like a property tax. The rate is 0.65% of the actual purchase price and is reduced for the first 11 years of ownership. For example, the VLF on a two-year-old vehicle purchased for $25,000 would be $147. Sin Taxes Cigarettes: $2.87 per pack. Localities are not allowed to add to this but San Francisco tacks on a $0.75 “Cigarette Litter Abatement Fee.” All other tobacco products: 59% of the wholesale priceVapor products: 63% of wholesale price.Beer: $0.20 per gallonWine: $0.20 per gallon ($0.30 for sparkling wine)Liquor: $3.30 per gallon. Alcohol that is over 100 proof: $6.60 per gallon. Marijuana: $9.25 per ounce of flowers and $2.75 per ounce of leaves. Taxes On Wireless Service 13.23% Inheritance and Estate Taxes None. Oddball Tax High-proof tax: If your alcohol is more than 100 proof, the liquor tax doubles, to $6.60 per gallon. So, watching the sun go down with a barrel-proof bourbon is going to set you back a bit more in California. About our methodology