Credit card processing and merchant services in Oakland, CA
Oakland added its own half-cent sales tax on October 1, 2025. The city now charges 10.75%, half a point more than unincorporated Alameda County and well above San Francisco.
Oakland raised its own sales tax a year ago. A new 0.5% city tax took effect on October 1, 2025, moving the combined rate from 10.25% to 10.75%, and CDTFA's table effective October 1, 2026 still lists 10.75%. Unincorporated Alameda County stays at 10.25%, so the city line is worth half a point.
The bigger gap is across the bay. San Francisco is at 8.625%, which means a $250 sale made in Oakland carries $26.88 in tax and the same sale made in San Francisco carries $21.56. If you sell at markets, events or pop-ups on both sides, give each location its own tax setting. A mobile reader set up for one city will charge the wrong rate in the other.
Cash rules differ as well. San Francisco makes brick-and-mortar businesses accept cash through its own Police Code, and that requirement ends at its city limits. We didn't find a similar Oakland ordinance as of October 2026, and California has no statewide cash requirement that we found. An Oakland shop that goes card-only still has SB 478 to think about, since an unavoidable card fee has to be in the advertised price.
The Census Bureau's July 2025 estimate put Oakland at 440,838 residents, essentially unchanged from its 2020 base of 440,842. Surcharging follows the statewide position on our California page, with the old ban still in the Civil Code and the Attorney General generally following the Italian Colors decision.
With 10.75% going to tax on every sale, the processing rate is the cost you can actually negotiate. Our restaurant page explains how we price food service, and a free statement review shows where your money goes today.
Rules that matter in Oakland
Oakland's 2025 half-cent tax
CDTFA's notice of rate changes effective October 1, 2025 lists a new 0.500% tax approved by the City of Oakland, raising the city's rate from 10.250% to 10.750%. CDTFA's rates effective October 1, 2026 still list Oakland at 10.75%, half a point above unincorporated Alameda County at 10.25%.
Sources: CDTFA, Special notice L-989: new sales and use tax rates effective October 1, 2025 (PDF); CDTFA, California city and county sales and use tax rate information
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Common questions
What is Oakland's sales tax rate?
10.75%, according to CDTFA's rates effective October 1, 2026. That's half a point above unincorporated Alameda County, which is at 10.25%. Use the rate for the address where each sale happens, especially if you also sell outside the city.
When did Oakland sales tax go up to 10.75%?
On October 1, 2025. CDTFA's notice for that date lists a new 0.5% tax approved by the City of Oakland, which took the combined rate from 10.25% to 10.75%. If an older device or invoice template still shows 10.25%, it has been under-collecting since then.
Does San Francisco's cash law apply to my Oakland business?
No. San Francisco's rule is part of its own Police Code and applies to brick-and-mortar businesses in San Francisco. We didn't find a similar Oakland ordinance or a statewide cash requirement, but check Oakland's municipal code before you stop taking cash, since local rules can change.
Can an Oakland restaurant surcharge credit cards?
Generally yes, under California's current approach. The Attorney General generally applies the Italian Colors ruling to similarly situated merchants, prices can't mislead customers, and the card networks cap the fee at your cost, with 3% the most for Visa. Debit and prepaid cards are off limits. Our surcharging program covers the disclosures.
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Disclaimer: general information, not professional advice
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Rules and rates vary by place and change, so confirm them with the official source and a qualified professional before you act. Full terms are in our Terms of Service.
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