San Bruno Sales Tax Falls Under 9 Percent

Everyone likes to keep a little change in their pocket when they're out shopping.

Starting July 1, that has been the case, as the sales tax rate fell a full percentage point throughout California. For San Bruno, that means sales tax is now 8.25 percent—down from 9.25 percent.

The statewide 1-percent decrease results from the expiration of a statewide 1-percent increase that began in April 2009 as part of the 2008-09 state budget agreement and that was due to sunset June 30, 2011, according to a news release from state Board of Equalization Chairman Jerome Horton.

The reduction affects the state share of the sales tax, which is falling from 8.25 to 7.25 percent.

Throughout San Mateo County, the sales tax rate is the same, except for only in San Mateo.

San Bruno City Manager Connie Jackson said the sales tax rate drop won't have an impact on the city's budget. But the city might be able to see a change if shoppers decide to spend more.

"If the reduction in the sales tax rate has the effect of increasing consumer spending on taxable items," Jackson said in an email, "then the city might see some increase in overall sales tax revenues."

Charles Kasuma, owner of , said sales tax reduction likely won't hurt sales at businesses like his, but it might affect how generous people are with their tips at restaurants.

"In San Francisco, if you go to a restaurant, what people do is just double the (sales) tax. In San Bruno, people do the same thing," Kasuma said. "So it doesn't affect the customers at all because they don't pay attention to it. But it might affect the workers; they might get less tips. If it's supposed to be $6, it might be $5 instead. Instead of twelve, they might give ten."

El Cerrito Patch Editor Charles Burress contributed to this story.