Car sales tax in City and County of San Francisco County, California: 8.625%

The rate in City and County of San Francisco County

Vehicle sales tax in City and County of San Francisco County is 8.625%, covering all 50 ZIP codes in the county.
That is above the 7.25% most California counties charge — about $481.25 more tax on a $35,000 car than the typical county in the state.
No other county in California charges this rate — City and County of San Francisco sits at number 16 of 58 by combined rate.

What a $35,000 car actually costs in City and County of San Francisco County

Sales tax (8.625% — San Francisco, City and County of San Francisco County) — $3,026.08
Doc fee (state cap) — $85.00
Registration fee — $76.00
CHP fee — $34.00
DMV transfer fee — $15.00
Vehicle License Fee (VLF) — $227.50
Transportation Improvement Fee (TIF) — $198.00
County/district fees (est.) — $25.00
Dealer smog test fee — $50.00
Smog certificate fee — $8.25
Out the door — $38,744.83 on a $35,000 used car, before any down payment or financing.

Cities and towns in City and County of San Francisco County

San Francisco — all at 8.625%.

ZIP codes in City and County of San Francisco County

94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94119, 94120, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94125, 94126, 94127, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134, 94137, 94139, 94140, 94141, 94142, 94143, 94144, 94145, 94146, 94147, 94151, 94158, 94159, 94160, 94161, 94163, 94164, 94172, 94177, 94188.
Any of these resolves to City and County of San Francisco County in the calculator at 8.625%.

City and County of San Francisco County against nearby counties

Butte County is 8.25% — $131.25 LESS tax on a $35,000 car than City and County of San Francisco County.
Fresno County is 8.35% — $96.25 LESS tax on a $35,000 car than City and County of San Francisco County.
Humboldt County is 8.75% — $43.75 MORE tax on a $35,000 car than City and County of San Francisco County.
Monterey County is 8.75% — $43.75 MORE tax on a $35,000 car than City and County of San Francisco County.
This follows where you REGISTER, not where the dealer is, so a lower rate nearby only helps if you actually live there. It is not something you can choose at the dealership.

Run your own numbers

Vehicle price

$

The negotiated (or advertised) selling price, before fees and tax.

Your ZIP code

Tax and registration follow where YOU register — not the dealership.

Condition

New Used CPO

Fuel

EV/PHEV surcharges apply in many states.

More options — trade-in, rebates, doc fee, add-ons

Trade-in value

$

Reduces your taxable amount only in states that allow it.

Trade-in loan payoff

$

Display-only in the equity math — doesn't affect tax.

Manufacturer rebate

$

Taxed in some states, a tax-free discount in others.

Dealer discount

$

Off-invoice discount from the dealer — different from a rebate for tax.

Dealer doc fee (if quoted)

$

Leave blank to use your state's cap or the typical amount.

Dealer add-ons total

$

Nitrogen, VIN etch, protection packages… labeled negotiable in the output.

F&I products total (VSC, GAP…)

$

Excluded from tax in some states when itemized separately.

Model year

MSRP / vehicle value

$

Needed in states with value-based registration (AZ VLT, NV GST).

Financing the purchase I have a plate to transfer (matters in Florida — skips the $225 initial registration)

Truck / commercial (California weight fees)

Vehicle type

Pickups always use the unladen-weight schedule (VC §9400) — never CVRA.

Curb (unladen) weight, lbs

On the door-jamb sticker. Blank = typical half-ton bracket ($80).

Axles

Declared GVW/CGW, lbs

As declared on the REG 4008. CVRA vehicles skip the TIF.

Used vehicle details (California)

Plate expiration (month)

Expired or expiring within 120 days of purchase → renewal fees ride along with the deal. Blank = assume they're due (safe estimate).

No current California plates (out-of-state car — full first registration + smog test due)

My price already includes…

Some dealers now fold fees into the advertised price (FTC pressure; California's total-price law). Check what yours covers so nothing gets counted twice.

Doc fee Emissions / smog testing charge (used vehicles)

Common questions

What is the car sales tax rate in City and County of San Francisco County?

8.625% on a vehicle purchase, combining the California state rate with the local rate.

How much is tax and fees on a $35,000 car in City and County of San Francisco County?

About $3,744.83 on top of the price, bringing it to roughly $38,744.83 out the door. The breakdown is above.

Car sales tax in City and County of San Francisco County, California: 8.625%

The rate in City and County of San Francisco County

What a $35,000 car actually costs in City and County of San Francisco County

Cities and towns in City and County of San Francisco County

ZIP codes in City and County of San Francisco County

City and County of San Francisco County against nearby counties

Run your own numbers

Common questions

What is the car sales tax rate in City and County of San Francisco County?

How much is tax and fees on a $35,000 car in City and County of San Francisco County?

Elsewhere in California

Humboldt County

Monterey County

Riverside County

Sacramento County

San Luis Obispo County

Full California out-the-door guide

How California sales tax works