California Sales Tax on Gold and Silver
CHECKED 2026-10-28. NOT TAX ADVICE.
California charges sales tax on bullion and coins unless a single sale is worth $2,000 or more.
Bulk sales of monetized bullion (coins and other money), refined gold or silver bullion and numismatic coins are exempt when the total in one transaction is $2,000 or more, or the inflation-adjusted amount if higher. The threshold was $1,500 from 2009 until July 1, 2023. Sales below the threshold are taxed, and buying coins or bullion as an investment counts as a retail purchase, not a resale.
General state sales tax rate: 7.25%. Threshold $2,000 for sales on or after July 1, 2023 (CDTFA notice L-912); adjusted yearly under Rev. and Tax. Code 6355.
Where this comes from
California Dept. of Tax and Fee Administration, Regulation 1599 (Coins and Bullion). Checked 2026-10-28. Local sales taxes and rules for specific items can differ, so read the source before you rely on it.
Under IRS Form 1099-B instructions, a sale of precious metals in a form and quantity that matches a CFTC-approved futures contract (for example, at least 25 gold coins of a covered type) can require the broker or dealer to report it; a single coin sale does not, and sales to the same customer within 24 hours are added together. irs.gov
General information only. This is not tax advice. Rules change and have exceptions.
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Quick answers
Does California charge sales tax on gold and silver bullion?
California charges sales tax on bullion and coins unless a single sale is worth $2,000 or more. Bulk sales of monetized bullion (coins and other money), refined gold or silver bullion and numismatic coins are exempt when the total in one transaction is $2,000 or more, or the inflation-adjusted amount if higher. The threshold was $1,500 from 2009 until July 1, 2023. Sales below the threshold are taxed, and buying coins or bullion as an investment counts as a retail purchase, not a resale.
Where does this California rule come from?
California Dept. of Tax and Fee Administration, Regulation 1599 (Coins and Bullion): https://cdtfa.ca.gov/lawguides/vol1/sutr/1599.html. Lustre checked it on 2026-10-28.
Is this tax advice?
No. It is general information from the source above. Rules change and have exceptions. Check with the state tax agency or a tax professional.