The sales tax is set to increase and LA County is feeling
the pinch.

[view:node_ad=5]People planning on buying a new car or making a big purchase
may want to do so today.

The sales tax in California
is set to increase 1% tomorrow (1 cent), bringing the total to 8.25%.

Los Angeles
County residents
currently pay 8.25%, but at midnight that will rise to 9.25%.

Measure R, which was passed in November to fund rail, bus,
and freeway projects, will add an additional .5% to LA County shoppers starting
in July.

The grand total to local residents will be an increase of
1.5% rounding out at 9.75%.

The increase is expected to shore up the states widening
budget deficit, but it is only temporary.

The 1% state increase will expire on either July 1, 2011 or
2012, depending on whether voters approve Proposition 1A in the special May
elections.

An increase of only 1% may not be noticeable on small
purchase items, but that increase will add an extra $300 to a $30,000 car.