California sales tax on gold and silver

The rule, in plain English

California exempts gold and silver bullion and all metal legal-tender and numismatic coins only when the qualifying items in one transaction total $2,000 or more; smaller orders, and platinum or palladium bars at any amount, are taxed.

What counts: RTC § 6355 / Reg. 1599: 'monetized bullion' = coins or other forms of money manufactured of gold, silver or other metal and heretofore, now or hereafter used as a medium of exchange under the laws of California, the U.S. or any foreign nation. 'Nonmonetized bullion' = gold or silver which has been smelted or refined in such a manner that its value depends primarily upon its gold or silver content and not upon its form. 'Numismatic coins' is not defined. A 'sale in bulk' means total market value (sales price) of these items in a single transaction of $2,000 or more (for sales on or after July 1, 2023).

“Reg. 1599(a)(3)(A): "$2,000 or more, or is equal to or exceeds the adjusted amount" (total market value sold in a single transaction)”

Still taxed: Any qualifying coin or bullion order under $2,000 total; platinum and palladium bars and rounds at any amount; jewelry; art; non-monetary medals; fabricated or industrial metal; accessories. Reg. 1599(a)(1): tax applies to sales of coins as collector's items or as an investment unless the bulk exemption applies.

This rule took effect on July 1, 2023.

Buying from Bullion Trading LLC with delivery to California

Our checkout applies California's rule. The qualifying bullion on an order delivered to California needs to reach $2,000 to be placed online, and then no sales tax is added. For a smaller order, call 646 362 3536.

California exempts only gold and silver bars and rounds; platinum and palladium bars are taxed at any amount. Those items can't be checked out online for delivery to California; call 646 362 3536 to arrange the order.

Orders ship insured and discreetly packed: USPS under $1,000, FedEx with adult signature from $1,000, usually within 2–3 business days after payment clears. Bank transfer and check are our best price; card and PayPal add 5% (up to $7,500).

Selling gold in California

Selling gold to a dealer is not a retail purchase, so no sales tax applies. A profit is a capital gain: the IRS taxes gains on gold and silver bullion as collectibles, at up to 28% when held more than a year. California taxes the gain as ordinary income (top rate 13.3% in 2026).

Dealers have to report some larger sales to the IRS on Form 1099-B; keep your purchase receipts to show your cost.

We buy bullion at our counter at 20 West 47th Street in New York: walk in with a photo ID and we pay by same-day check. How selling to us works

Local taxes

Bradley-Burns local and district taxes are administered by CDTFA on the state base, so the same bulk exemption applies (general rule; not separately re-verified this session). Watch for a future step to $2,500: when the CPI-adjusted amount reaches $500 above the operative threshold, it rounds to the nearest $500 and takes effect on the first day of the second calendar quarter after Reg. 1599 is amended.