The sales tax rate in La Mirada is 9.75% as of 2026, charged on most retail purchases of physical goods whether you buy them in a local store or have them delivered to a La Mirada address.1California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California City and County Sales and Use Tax Rates That single rate combines the statewide base, Los Angeles County district taxes, and voter-approved local measures.
How the 9.75% Breaks Down
Every location in California starts with a 7.25% statewide floor. Of that, 6% funds state-level programs including education and the general fund.2California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California Revenue and Taxation Code 6051 – Imposition and Rate of Sales Tax The remaining 1.25% is allocated to cities and counties under California’s Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law, with 1% going to the city or county where the sale happens and a quarter percent going to a county transportation fund.
On top of that base, Los Angeles County voters have approved several district taxes that apply countywide, including in La Mirada. These add 2.50% in total.1California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California City and County Sales and Use Tax Rates The two largest pieces are Measure M and Measure A.
Measure M, approved by LA County voters in 2016 with over 71% support, adds a half-cent (0.50%) for public transit expansion, highway projects, local street and sidewalk repair, and subsidized transit fares for students and seniors.3LA Metro. Measure M It has no sunset date.
Measure A took effect on April 1, 2025, adding another half-cent (0.50%) for homelessness services and affordable housing. It replaced the earlier Measure H, which had imposed a quarter-cent for similar purposes and was set to expire in 2027.4California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Explanation of Tax Rate Changes Operative April 1, 2025 The net change was a bump from 0.25% to 0.50% for homelessness funding.5Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative. Measure A – LA County Homeless Services and Housing Earlier county transportation measures, including Propositions A and C and Measure R, account for the rest of the district tax total and fund Metro rail and bus operations.
What You Pay 9.75% On
California’s sales tax applies to “tangible personal property,” meaning any physical item you can hold, wear, or use.6California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Revenue and Taxation Code 6016 – Tangible Personal Property In practice, the 9.75% rate hits electronics, clothing, furniture, appliances, building materials, and most other retail goods sold in La Mirada.
Restaurant Meals and Hot Food
Meals and hot prepared food sold by restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and similar vendors are fully taxable, whether you eat on-site or take the order home.7California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California Code of Regulations Title 18 Section 1603 – Taxable Sales of Food Products The heated or served nature of the food is what triggers the tax, not where you consume it.
Vehicles
Sales or use tax on a car, truck, or motorcycle is based on where you register the vehicle, not where the dealership sits. A La Mirada resident pays 9.75% no matter which California dealer they buy from.8California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Tax Guide for Purchasers of Vehicles California also does not let you subtract a trade-in’s value from the taxable amount. Buy a $35,000 vehicle and trade in one worth $10,000, and you still owe tax on the full $35,000.
What’s Exempt
Groceries
Most food you buy at a grocery store for home consumption, including produce, meat, dairy, eggs, bread, cereal, and canned goods, is exempt.9California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Sales and Use Tax Law – Section 6359 The exemption disappears when food is sold hot, served as a meal, consumed on the seller’s premises, or sold at venues charging admission.10California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Common Sales and Use Tax Nontaxable Sales and Partial Exemptions The bag of apples is tax-free; the hot rotisserie chicken next to it is not.
Prescription Medicine
Medications prescribed by a licensed physician and filled by a registered pharmacist are exempt.11California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Publication 73 – Drug Stores Over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements do not qualify and are taxed at the full 9.75%.
Digital Products
California does not tax purely electronic transfers. Downloaded software, ebooks, streaming subscriptions, mobile apps, and digital music are all exempt as long as no physical storage medium is included.12California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Internet Sales (Publication 109) Nontaxable Sales If a seller bundles a flash drive or printed copy with the digital product, the whole transaction becomes taxable.
Garage Sales and Private Sales
Selling personal items at a garage sale or through a one-off private transaction is generally exempt under California’s occasional sale rule.13California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Sales and Use Tax Law – Section 6367 Vehicles, boats, and aircraft are the exceptions and remain taxable whether sold by a dealer or a private party.
Repair Labor
When a technician fixes something you already own, the labor portion of the bill is not taxable.14California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Taxable Labor You pay 9.75% on any replacement parts the technician supplies, but not on the work. The rule flips if someone fabricates a new item for you; that labor becomes part of the taxable sale.15California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Sales and Use Tax Regulations – Article 5 – Section: Regulation 1546. Installing, Repairing, Reconditioning in General
Online and Out-of-State Purchases
When you buy from a seller who doesn’t collect California sales tax, you owe use tax at the same 9.75% rate.16California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Sales and Use Tax in California Use tax applies to purchases from small out-of-state retailers, private sellers in other states, and items bought while traveling and brought home.
Most large online retailers and marketplace platforms already collect California tax automatically. Since October 2019, platforms including Amazon, eBay, and Walmart have been responsible for collecting and remitting the tax on sales to California buyers.17California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Tax Guide for Marketplace Facilitator Act If you do end up owing use tax on an uncollected purchase, you can report it on your California income tax return or file directly with the CDTFA.