If you are planning to shop in Santa Monica, be sure to bring extra cash, although coins would probably do the trick. A half-cent city sales tax approved by Santa Monica voters in November went into effect Friday morning to bring the total tax rate to 10.25 percent. This will not affect the purchase of vehicles, which are taxed based on where they are licensed. There is no city sales tax in Malibu.

Malibu residents could benefit from the Santa Monica tax because voters also approved an advisory measure that half the estimated $12 million in annual sales tax revenue “support school, educational and afterschool programs.” This would include the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, and the money would go to the whole district, not just the Santa Monica schools.

Santa Monica College District officials have said they also want some of the tax money. The Santa Monica City Council is expected to address the advisory measure at a meeting April 22, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.