The sales tax rate in ZIP code 90606, covering part of Whittier in southeast Los Angeles County, is 10.50% as of January 1, 2026.1California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California City and County Sales and Use Tax Rates Every merchant in the area collects that amount at the register and sends it to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.2California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Sales and Use Tax in California At that rate, a $100 purchase costs $110.50, and a $500 appliance runs $552.50.
Why the Rate Is 10.50%
California’s statewide base is 7.25%, which applies everywhere in the state as a floor.3California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California City and County Sales and Use Tax Rate Information The extra 3.25% in Whittier comes from a stack of voter-approved district taxes.
Most of it is county transportation funding. Propositions A and C each add a half-cent for LA Metro bus and rail.4LA Metro. Propositions A and C Measures M and R each add another half-cent for highways, rail construction, and local roads. Measure H adds a quarter-cent for homelessness services across the county. At the city level, Whittier voters passed Measure W in March 2020, adding a three-quarter-cent transaction and use tax that goes to the city’s general fund.5Ballotpedia. Whittier, California, Measure W, Sales Tax (March 2020)
What You Pay Tax On
California taxes “tangible personal property,” which covers most physical items you can carry out of a store.6California Legislative Information. California Code Revenue and Taxation Code 6016 – Tangible Personal Property Clothing, electronics, furniture, appliances, tools, and sporting goods all get the full 10.50%. So do alcoholic beverages, carbonated soft drinks, and over-the-counter medicine like aspirin or cough syrup.7California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Tax Guide for Grocery Stores Industry Topics
Hot prepared food is taxable whether you eat in or take it home. If a combination meal includes any hot item or a soda, the whole package is taxed.7California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Tax Guide for Grocery Stores Industry Topics
What’s Exempt
Most groceries meant for home consumption are exempt. That includes cold items like produce, dairy, bread, meat, cereal, canned goods, energy bars, noncarbonated sports drinks, and baby formula.7California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Tax Guide for Grocery Stores Industry Topics Prescription medicine and certain medical devices are also exempt.8Taxes. What Is Taxable
One quirk worth knowing: hot bakery items sold to go, like a fresh pretzel or croissant from a bakery counter, are not taxable. Eat the same pretzel at a table inside the store and tax applies.7California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Tax Guide for Grocery Stores Industry Topics The “food for home” versus “food for immediate consumption” split drives most of the confusion here.
Repair Labor
Labor charges to repair, recondition, or maintain property you already own are generally not taxed when billed separately from parts.9California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Labor Charges A laptop screen replacement or a plumbing fix falls here. Labor to fabricate or produce a new custom item, though, is part of a taxable sale.
Online and Out-of-State Purchases
Items shipped into 90606 from online or out-of-state sellers carry the same 10.50% obligation. When the seller collects California tax at checkout, you’re done. When they don’t, you owe “use tax” on the purchase.10California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California Use Tax
The easiest way to pay uncollected use tax is on your California income tax return, which includes a line and a lookup table for people who don’t track every purchase. You can also pay directly through the CDTFA portal.10California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California Use Tax
Most shoppers never deal with this because large retailers collect automatically. Under California’s economic nexus rule, any out-of-state seller with more than $500,000 in California sales during the current or prior calendar year must register with CDTFA and collect on every order shipped here.11California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Use Tax Collection Requirements Based on Sales into California The gap mostly affects small independent sellers, foreign websites, and private-party transactions.
If your annual purchases subject to uncollected use tax exceed $10,000 (excluding vehicles and aircraft), you qualify as a “qualified purchaser” and must register with CDTFA separately to report and pay annually.10California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California Use Tax
If You Sell in Whittier
Any business selling or leasing tangible personal property in Whittier needs a California seller’s permit before its first sale. The requirement covers every structure: sole proprietors, LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and temporary vendors.12California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Obtaining a Seller’s Permit The permit is free, though CDTFA may ask for a security deposit based on projected sales volume.
Selling only at a weekend market, craft fair, or seasonal event lasting 30 days or less? You apply for a temporary seller’s permit instead.13California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Your California Seller’s Permit The same registration requirement applies to out-of-state businesses that cross the $500,000 economic nexus threshold, even without a physical presence in California.
Late filing or late payment of collected sales and use tax triggers a 10% penalty, with interest accruing immediately until the balance is cleared.14California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Trouble Paying Taxes Permitted businesses must keep complete sales and purchase records for at least four years, including invoices, receipts, point-of-sale reports, bank statements, and any exemption certificates from wholesale buyers.15California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Regulation 1698