If you have investments that you are planning to sell during retirement, it’s important to be aware of the California capital gains tax. What other California taxes should I be concerned about? That includes an exemption for prescription drugs and an exemption for most types of groceries. In fact, a number of exemptions are designed specifically to benefit seniors and retirees. The good news is that not all goods are taxable. Overall, the average rate you can expect to pay in California is 8.82%. That is the minimum you will pay anywhere in the state, but local taxes as high as 2.50% mean you will likely pay an even higher rate. Photo credit: ©/Ron Thomas How high are sales taxes in California?Ĭalifornia has the highest state sales tax rate in the country at 7.25%. You also need to have at least 40% equity in the home and an annual household income of $45,810 or less. This is only available for taxes on a primary residence. This allows homeowners who are seniors, are blind or have a disability to defer their property taxes. In 2016, the state controller reinstated the Property Tax Postponement Program. That saves homeowners at least $70 per year, although for many homeowners the savings will be even greater. Owner-occupied homes in California are eligible to receive the homeowners’ exemption. What is the California homeowners’ exemption? That contributes to overall housing costs in the Golden State that are well over the national average. However, property taxes cost the average homeowner in California more than $4,100. The average effective rate across the state is 0.73%. Property tax rates in California are relatively low, although high home values mean the cost of property taxes is still higher than in most other states. How high are property taxes in California? So if you're over 65 years of age, you can double your exemption to either $258 or $516, depending on your filing status. For singles and married people filing separately, the exemption jumped from $124 to $129, whereas married people filing jointly and surviving spouses saw their exemption increase to $258 from $248. More specifically, seniors receive an extra benefit that allows them to double the standard exemption.įor the 2021 tax year, California increased the personal exemptions for all filing statuses. All of it is combined with any other income (such as work income) and taxed according to the income tax brackets shown in the table below.Ĭalifornia offers a senior income tax exemption in addition to its personal exemption. So is all pension income, whether from a government pension or a private employer pension. Retirement account income, including withdrawals from a 401(k) or IRA, is considered taxable income in California. Are other forms of retirement income taxable in California? Keep in mind, however, that if you have income from sources besides Social Security, you may need to pay federal taxes on your Social Security income. Social Security retirement benefits are not taxed at the state level in California. Is Social Security taxable in California? Social Security retirement benefits are exempt, although given the state’s high cost of living, it will be difficult for most seniors to afford to live in California on only Social Security income.Ĭalifornia also has high sales taxes, with an average state and local combined rate of 8.82%. Income from retirement accounts and pensions are fully taxed at some of the highest state income tax rates in the country. Financial advisors can also help with investing and financial plans, including taxes, homeownership, insurance and estate planning, to make sure you are preparing for the future.

Additionally, California has some of the highest sales taxes in the U.S.Ī financial advisor in California can help you plan for retirement and other financial goals. While California exempts Social Security retirement benefits from taxation, all other forms of retirement income are subject to the state’s income tax rates, which range from 1% to 13.3%.

For starters, it has a cost of living that is far higher than the national average.Īnd then there are the taxes. Northern California has the country’s best wine region and mountain ranges such as the Sierra Nevada provide great opportunities for recreation.Īs many reasons as there are in favor of a California retirement however, there may be just as many against it. It has miles of beautiful coastline and sandy beaches. In some ways, the Golden State is a perfect place for a happy retirement. California Retirement Taxes Photo credit: ©/omersukrugoksu

California tax brackets