Credit card processing and merchant services in San Diego, CA
The city of San Diego charges 7.75% sales tax, but several neighboring cities charge a full point more. Set the right rate for each place you sell.
The city of San Diego charges 7.75% sales tax, according to CDTFA's table effective October 1, 2026. That matches unincorporated San Diego County, and it's lower than the rate in a lot of the cities around it. Chula Vista, Escondido, National City and San Marcos are at 8.75%, La Mesa is at 8.5%, and El Cajon, Oceanside and Vista are at 8.25%. If you sell from a truck, a market stall or a client's site in more than one city, look up each address before you ring up the sale.
San Diego had an estimated 1,406,106 residents in July 2025, up 1.6% since 2020. Its 2022 Economic Census numbers show about $22.7 billion in receipts for health care and social assistance and about $10 billion in accommodation and food services sales, so medical offices and restaurants are both big parts of the city's economy.
Surcharging follows the statewide position. The 1748.1 ban hasn't been repealed, but the Attorney General says it will generally follow the Italian Colors decision for similarly situated merchants, and Visa and Mastercard cap any surcharge at your cost. A medical office or restaurant that adds one has to disclose it before the customer pays, keep it off debit and prepaid cards, and show it on the receipt.
If you'd like a second opinion on what you pay, our medical and dental and restaurant pages explain how we price those businesses, and a free statement review shows your current effective rate.
Rules that matter in San Diego
Higher rates in nearby cities
CDTFA lists the city of San Diego at 7.75%, the same as unincorporated San Diego County. Nearby cities with their own district taxes charge more: 8.25% in El Cajon, Oceanside and Vista, 8.5% in La Mesa, and 8.75% in Chula Vista, Escondido, National City and San Marcos (rates effective October 1, 2026). Use the rate for the address where each sale takes place.
Source: CDTFA, California city and county sales and use tax rates (effective October 1, 2026)
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Common questions
What is the sales tax rate in San Diego?
CDTFA lists 7.75% for the city of San Diego, effective October 1, 2026, which matches unincorporated San Diego County. Some neighboring cities charge more because of their own district taxes, up to 8.75% in places like Chula Vista and Escondido, so use the rate for the address where you make the sale.
Can a San Diego medical or dental office surcharge credit cards?
Generally yes, under the same California rules as other businesses. The Attorney General generally applies the 2018 Italian Colors ruling to similarly situated merchants, and nothing about the fee can mislead patients. Keep it at or below your cost and the Visa and Mastercard caps, skip debit and prepaid cards, and post the notice before patients pay.
Do San Diego businesses have to accept cash?
We found no statewide California law that requires it, so check the city's municipal code before you go card-only. If you do stop taking cash, the card fee is no longer avoidable, and under SB 478 it has to be part of the prices you advertise.
Why is my sales tax different from a shop a few miles away?
Because district taxes are set city by city. San Diego's 7.75% is the same as unincorporated San Diego County, while El Cajon (8.25%), La Mesa (8.5%) and National City (8.75%) have added district taxes of their own. CDTFA's lookup by address tells you which rate applies at a given location.
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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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