#ca6-calculator-container {
background-color: #f9f9f9;
padding: 25px;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
max-width: 700px;
margin: 20px auto;
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.6;
}
#ca6-calculator-container h2, #ca6-calculator-container h3 {
color: #2c3e50;
border-bottom: 2px solid #3498db;
padding-bottom: 10px;
margin-top: 20px;
}
#ca6-calculator-container .calculator-form {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
gap: 20px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #ffffff;
border: 1px solid #dddddd;
border-radius: 5px;
}
#ca6-calculator-container .form-group {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
#ca6-calculator-container label {
font-weight: bold;
margin-bottom: 5px;
color: #34495e;
}
#ca6-calculator-container input[type="number"] {
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
}
#ca6-calculator-container button {
background-color: #3498db;
color: white;
padding: 12px 20px;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
transition: background-color 0.3s;
}
#ca6-calculator-container button:hover {
background-color: #2980b9;
}
#ca6-calculator-container #result {
margin-top: 20px;
padding: 15px;
background-color: #eaf4ff;
border: 1px solid #b3d7ff;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 18px;
text-align: center;
font-weight: bold;
color: #2c3e50;
}
#ca6-calculator-container .article-content p, #ca6-calculator-container .article-content li {
color: #333;
text-align: justify;
}
#ca6-calculator-container .example {
background-color: #ecf0f1;
padding: 15px;
border-left: 4px solid #16a085;
margin: 15px 0;
}
California Gas Tax Calculator (SB 1)
California's gas tax, primarily governed by Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, is a critical source of funding for the state's transportation infrastructure. This tax is applied on a per-gallon basis every time you fill up your vehicle. The revenue generated is dedicated to repairing roads, fixing bridges, and improving public transit systems across the state. This calculator helps you estimate your personal annual contribution to this fund based on your driving habits and vehicle efficiency.
How the Gas Tax is Calculated
The calculation is straightforward and depends on three key factors:
- Annual Miles Driven: The total distance you drive in a year.
- Vehicle's Fuel Efficiency: How many miles your car can travel on one gallon of gas (MPG).
- Gas Tax Rate: The state-mandated tax amount per gallon of fuel. This rate is adjusted annually for inflation.
The formula is: Annual Tax Cost = (Annual Miles Driven / Vehicle MPG) * Gas Tax Rate per Gallon
Example Calculation
Let's see how the tax adds up for a typical California commuter.
Scenario:
- Annual Miles Driven: 15,000 miles
- Vehicle's Average MPG: 28 MPG
- Gas Tax Rate: $0.596 per gallon (rate for 2024-2025)
Calculation Steps:
- Calculate Gallons Consumed: 15,000 miles / 28 MPG = 535.71 gallons per year.
- Calculate Total Tax: 535.71 gallons * $0.596/gallon = $319.38 per year.
In this example, the driver contributes approximately $319.38 annually towards California's road and infrastructure maintenance.
Understanding Your Contribution
While no one enjoys paying taxes, the gas tax is a user fee directly linked to road usage. The more you drive, the more you contribute to the upkeep of the roads you use. This funding is essential for addressing a massive backlog of deferred maintenance on California's highways, local streets, and bridges, ultimately aiming to improve safety and reduce vehicle wear and tear caused by poor road conditions.
Factors like driving a more fuel-efficient hybrid or electric vehicle can significantly reduce your annual gas tax cost, as you consume less (or no) gasoline. Conversely, driving a less efficient vehicle over long distances will result in a higher contribution.
function calculateGasTax() {
var annualMiles = parseFloat(document.getElementById('annualMiles').value);
var vehicleMPG = parseFloat(document.getElementById('vehicleMPG').value);
var gasTaxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('gasTaxRate').value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
if (isNaN(annualMiles) || isNaN(vehicleMPG) || isNaN(gasTaxRate)) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Error: Please enter valid numbers in all fields.";
return;
}
if (annualMiles <= 0 || vehicleMPG <= 0 || gasTaxRate < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Error: Please enter positive values. Tax rate cannot be negative.";
return;
}
var annualGallons = annualMiles / vehicleMPG;
var annualTaxCost = annualGallons * gasTaxRate;
var resultHTML = '