Quick Answer
San Francisco's payroll tax is 0.38% for employers with over $1 million in annual payroll, but employees pay it through payroll deduction. Plus, there's a 0.6% gross receipts tax that may be passed to employees, totaling approximately 0.98% in local taxes on your paycheck.
Best Answer
Sarah Chen, Payroll Tax Analyst
Best for employees working in San Francisco who want to understand what's being deducted from their paychecks
What is San Francisco's payroll tax rate?
San Francisco's payroll tax is 0.38% of gross wages for employers with annual payroll exceeding $1 million. While technically paid by employers, many pass this cost to employees through payroll deduction. Additionally, San Francisco's gross receipts tax averages 0.6%, which some employers also deduct from employee pay.
Combined, you might see approximately 0.98% in San Francisco-specific taxes deducted from your paycheck, on top of California state income tax (up to 13.3%) and federal taxes.
Example: $80,000 salary in San Francisco
Let's calculate the annual impact for an $80,000 salary:
For biweekly pay periods, this equals about $30.15 per paycheck in San Francisco taxes alone.
How San Francisco taxes compare to other cities
San Francisco's 0.98% combined local tax rate is moderate compared to other major cities:
Key factors affecting your SF tax burden
What you should do
Check your pay stub for "SF Payroll Tax" or "Local Tax" deductions. If you don't see these line items, your employer may be absorbing the cost. Use our paycheck calculator to estimate your total take-home pay including all San Francisco taxes.
Key takeaway: San Francisco employees typically see about 0.98% of their gross pay deducted for local taxes, which equals roughly $784 annually on an $80,000 salary.
*Sources: [San Francisco Tax Collector](https://sftreasurer.org/business/taxes-fees), [IRS Publication 15](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf)*
Key Takeaway: San Francisco's combined local taxes typically cost employees about 0.98% of gross pay, or approximately $784 annually on an $80,000 salary.
San Francisco tax burden by income level compared to total take-home impact
| Annual Salary | SF Payroll Tax (0.38%) | SF Gross Receipts (0.6%) | Total SF Taxes | Per Paycheck Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $228/year | $360/year | $588/year | $22.62 |
| $80,000 | $304/year | $480/year | $784/year | $30.15 |
| $100,000 | $380/year | $600/year | $980/year | $37.69 |
| $150,000 | $570/year | $900/year | $1,470/year | $56.54 |
More Perspectives
Sarah Chen, Payroll Tax Analyst
Best for employees who recently moved to or from San Francisco and need to understand the tax implications
Moving to San Francisco: What changes on your paycheck
If you're relocating to San Francisco from another city, expect to see new local tax deductions totaling approximately 0.98% of your gross pay. This is on top of California's state income tax (1-13.3%), which may also be new if you're coming from a no-income-tax state.
Example: Moving from Austin, Texas to San Francisco
Texas has no state income tax, so moving to SF creates a significant tax impact:
$90,000 salary comparison:
Timing matters for partial-year residents
If you move mid-year, you'll only owe San Francisco taxes for the period you worked there. Your employer should adjust withholding based on your start date.
What to watch for when relocating
Key takeaway for new SF residents
Budget for an additional 0.98% in local taxes plus California state income tax (potentially 8-13.3% depending on income). This can add $8,000-15,000 annually in taxes for higher earners compared to no-tax states.
Key Takeaway: New San Francisco residents should budget for an additional 0.98% in local taxes plus California state income tax, potentially adding $8,000-15,000 annually compared to no-tax states.
Sarah Chen, Payroll Tax Analyst
Best for employees who work remotely but have San Francisco-based employers
Remote work and San Francisco payroll taxes
Good news for remote workers: San Francisco's payroll and gross receipts taxes are based on where you physically perform work, not where your employer is located. If you work remotely from outside San Francisco, you shouldn't see SF local taxes on your paycheck.
What remote workers should verify
If you live outside SF but work for an SF company:
Example: Living in Oakland, working for SF company
Documentation for remote workers
Keep records of your remote work arrangement to avoid incorrect SF tax withholding. Some employers' payroll systems default to their business location rather than employee work location.
Hybrid workers: Special considerations
If you split time between SF office and remote work, you may owe SF taxes only on days worked in the city. This requires careful tracking and possibly quarterly estimated payments.
Key takeaway: Remote workers outside San Francisco should not pay SF local taxes, potentially saving ~$880 annually on a $90,000 salary compared to in-office employees.
Key Takeaway: Remote workers living outside San Francisco should not pay SF local taxes, potentially saving ~$880 annually on a $90,000 salary compared to in-office employees.
Sources
- San Francisco Tax Collector - Payroll Tax — Official SF payroll tax rates and regulations
- IRS Publication 15 — Employer's Tax Guide for payroll tax withholding
Reviewed by Sarah Chen, Payroll Tax Analyst on February 28, 2026
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.