State tax guide · verified 2026-08-28

Does California charge sales tax on gold and silver?

Sometimes. California exempts bullion and coin transactions only when a single sale totals $2,000 or more; smaller purchases are taxed at the full state and local rate.

• Rate: 7.25% state base rate, plus district taxes where they apply
• Exemption threshold: $2,000
• The "bulk sale" threshold is set by regulation and adjusted periodically for inflation — it was $1,500 for many years before rising to $2,000.
• The exemption covers qualifying monetized bullion, nonmonetized gold or silver bullion, and numismatic coins in a single transaction meeting the threshold.
• Verify with: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)

• Sales tax on gold & silver, state by state
• Sales tax on gold and silver in Canada