California - Jury Duty Compensation

In California, jurors receive nominal compensation for each day spent at jury selection, or while serving on a jury. Jurors can also qualify to receive mileage reimbursement for travel related to their jury duty service.

Notes: Federal Employees are entitled to travel reimbursement

California pays jurors $15 per day, in addition to $0.34 per mile for travel (one way). Federal employees are entitled to transport reimbursement only. Payments commence and are made every second day.

Juror pay is typically a token amount, set by state or local law decades ago, and is often very low due to not being not adjusted for inflation or rising costs of living.

In addition to your pay, you will generally be reimbursed for costs associated with serving as a juror, including parking, tolls, and if necessary, overnight accommodations during multi-day trials away from your home. The courthouse will often provide refreshments and meals during the trial to permit jurors to continue deliberations without leaving.

Does My Employer Pay Me For Jury Duty?

In most states, your employer will be required to give you unpaid time off for jury duty, while in some states employers are required to pay employees for time served on a jury. Your employer may also elect to pay you for time served on a jury even if they are not required to, though many may then require you to sign over your jury duty paycheck. Click here for more info on your employer's jury duty obligations in California.

Is California Jury Duty Pay Taxable?

While jury duty pay in California won't add up to much, the IRS considers it to be taxable income. Sometimes the court will send you a 1099-G or 1099-MISC form with your jury duty payment, other times you won't receive a 1099. Mileage reimbursements, and jury duty pay that you signed over to your employer, are not taxable. You may also be able to claim tax deductions for unreimbursed mileage or expenses incurred during the course of your jury duty service.