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We’re almost a week into July now. Did you notice that the sales tax rate in the Ross Valley has gone down?

Sales tax rates fell a full percentage point throughout California on July 1, which means both San Anselmo and Fairfax's rate is 8 percent.

The statewide one-percent decrease results from the expiration of a statewide one-percent increase that began in April 2009 as part of the 2008-09 state budget agreement. It was due to end June 30, 2011, according to a news release from State Board of Equalization Chairman Jerome Horton.

Despite budget negotiations between Governor Jerry Brown and the state legislature, which would have temporarily extended the one-percent increase, the final budget approval let the sales tax increase expire on June 30, 2011.

The reduction affects the state share of the sales tax, which fell from 8.25 to 7.25 percent.

Local rates vary between 7.25 percent and 9.75 percent. In Marin, all municipalities are at 8.0 except Novato and San Rafael (8.5).

Check out all the rates by clicking here.

Both Fairfax and San Anselmo have discussed the possibility of raising a .5 percent local sales tax, which would bring the local sales tax in either town to 8.5 percent. All the money in either of those local sales taxes would go directly to the town.

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