Sales tax in Los Angeles County will rise from 9.75% to 10.25% on Oct. 1, 2026, after voters narrowly approved Measure ER. The half-cent increase will run for five years and add cost to many taxable purchases, while groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment remain exempt.
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles County voters approved Measure ER with 50.64% voting yes and 49.36% voting no.
- The countywide sales tax rate will rise from 9.75% to 10.25% on Oct. 1, 2026.
- The increase is temporary and is scheduled to expire on Oct. 1, 2031.
- County ballot materials said the measure would generate about $1 billion annually.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment are listed as exempt from the added charge.
Los Angeles County voters approved Measure ER, formally called the Essential Services Restoration Act for Los Angeles County General Sales Tax Measure, during the June 2, 2026 primary election.
Final county results showed 1,013,747 yes votes, or 50.64%, and 987,977 no votes, or 49.36%. The measure passed by 25,770 votes, clearing the simple majority requirement listed by the county.
Measure ER authorizes a 0.5% general sales tax increase for five years. County election language said the revenue would help reduce the loss of essential services, including healthcare for county residents, and reduce the risk of cuts affecting public hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers.
The measure followed earlier local coverage of the healthcare funding proposal, which described the half-cent increase before voters made a final decision.
How Much Will the Sales Tax Increase Cost Shoppers?
Los Angeles County shoppers will see the change most clearly at checkout. A taxable $100 purchase would carry about 50 cents more in tax. A taxable $1,000 purchase would carry about $5 more.
The dollar amount depends on the price of the taxable purchase. Smaller purchases may show only a slight change on a receipt. Larger purchases, such as appliances, furniture, electronics, or large household orders, will show a higher added cost.
The increase applies to taxable purchases, not every item sold in the county. Public information on Measure ER listed groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment as exempt. Many common purchases remain taxable, including clothing, restaurant meals, household goods, school supplies, electronics, furniture, and personal items.
Because the tax is collected at the point of sale, shoppers will see the higher rate directly on receipts after the effective date.
When Does the New Sales Tax Rate Start?
Los Angeles County’s new sales tax rate is scheduled to begin on Oct. 1, 2026. The rate will rise from 9.75% to 10.25% and remain in place for five years.
The measure is scheduled to expire on Oct. 1, 2031. Public materials on Measure ER described the increase as temporary and said it could not continue beyond that period without additional voter approval.
The timing gives retailers, restaurants, and other sellers several months to update point-of-sale systems, tax tables, online checkout settings, and accounting processes.
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration says sellers are required to report and pay the applicable district taxes for taxable sales and purchases. Its public rate tables also show that tax rates vary across cities because local district taxes can be added on top of state and county rates.
Why Can the Final Rate Differ by City?
Los Angeles County has a countywide base rate, but city-level district taxes can change what shoppers pay in specific locations.
As of the April 1, 2026 state tax table, several Los Angeles County cities already had rates above 10%. Alhambra, Arcadia, Burbank, Carson, Downey, El Monte, and several others were listed at 10.5%. Azusa, Compton, and Culver City were listed at 10.75%.
That means shoppers may pay a different final rate depending on where a purchase is made or, in some cases, where a taxable delivery is sent.
For businesses, the change adds another layer to compliance. Retailers need to use the correct location-based rate. Restaurants, shops, online sellers, and service providers that sell taxable goods will need to make sure their systems reflect the rate that applies to each sale.
The added cost also comes as households continue to track several everyday expenses, including housing, groceries, insurance, and transportation. Related local coverage of Los Angeles fuel costs has shown how routine expenses can become a broader pressure point for residents and businesses.
Where Is the Revenue Expected to Go?
Measure ER was presented as a general sales tax tied to healthcare and essential services. The county ballot language said the measure would generate approximately $1 billion annually and include independent audits.
County materials connected the revenue to the county’s four public hospitals, numerous clinics, and essential services for residents. Public-facing Measure ER materials also cited community clinics, public health programs, school-based health services, in-home support services for older adults and people with disabilities, and other health and human services.
The measure is structured as a general tax. That means revenue can go into countywide funds, even when officials and public materials describe intended service areas. The general-tax structure is one reason the measure required a simple majority rather than a higher approval threshold.
Opponents listed in county election materials included the LA Taxpayers Association, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Arcadia Mayor Pro Tem Eileen Cheng, Rosemead Mayor Steven Ly, and Temple City Mayor Cynthia Sternquist. The opposition focused on affordability, oversight, and the added cost to residents.
After the measure passed, Barger said she respected the result and would focus on accountability. In a public statement reported after the vote, she said, “Taxpayers deserve to know how these funds are being spent, whether promised outcomes are being achieved.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When Will the Los Angeles County Sales Tax Increase Start?
The Los Angeles County sales tax increase is scheduled to begin on Oct. 1, 2026. The countywide rate will rise from 9.75% to 10.25% and remain in effect for five years, unless changed by future voter action.
What Items Are Exempt From the Measure ER Sales Tax Increase?
Public information on Measure ER listed groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment as exempt from the added charge. The increase applies to taxable purchases, including many retail goods, restaurant meals, clothing, electronics, furniture, and household items.
Why Will Some Los Angeles County Cities Have Different Sales Tax Rates?
Sales tax rates can vary by city because local district taxes may be added on top of countywide and state rates. That means shoppers may pay a different final rate depending on where a purchase is made or where a taxable delivery is sent.
