Free Car Sales Tax Calculator
Choose your state to see the sales tax on a new or used car, using your state’s trade-in and rebate rules.
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Car sales tax rates by state
| State | Typical rate | Trade-in credit | Tax type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 7.46% | Yes | State automotive sales tax (2%) plus city and county tax |
| Alaska | None | Check | No state sales tax (some cities and boroughs tax vehicles) |
| Arizona | 8.54% | Yes | Transaction privilege tax (state, county and city) |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | Yes | Sales tax (6.5%) plus local tax on the first $2,500 |
| California | 9.03% | No | Sales and use tax plus district taxes |
| Colorado | 7.89% | Yes | State sales tax (2.9%) plus local taxes |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | Yes | Sales tax (6.35%, or 7.75% over $50,000) |
| Delaware | 5.25% | Limited | Document fee (5.25%) instead of sales tax |
| District of Columbia | 7% | No | Excise tax (1% to 11%, by weight and fuel economy) |
| Florida | 6% | Yes | Sales tax (6%) plus county surtax on the first $5,000 |
| Georgia | 7% | Yes | Title ad valorem tax (TAVT, 7%) instead of sales tax |
| Hawaii | 4.712% | Check | General excise tax passed on by the dealer (up to 4.712%) |
| Idaho | 6% | Yes | Sales tax (6%) |
| Illinois | 8.98% | Yes | Sales tax (6.25%) plus local taxes |
| Indiana | 7% | Yes | Sales tax (7%) |
| Iowa | 5% | Yes | Fee for new registration (5%) instead of sales tax |
| Kansas | 8.71% | Yes | Sales tax (6.5%) plus local taxes |
| Kentucky | 6% | Yes | Motor vehicle usage tax (6%) |
| Louisiana | 10.13% | Yes | Sales tax (5%) plus parish and city taxes |
| Maine | 5.5% | Limited | Sales tax (5.5%) |
| Maryland | 6.5% | Yes | Vehicle excise tax (6.5%) |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | Yes | Sales tax (6.25%) |
| Michigan | 6% | Limited | Sales tax (6%) |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | Yes | Motor vehicle sales tax (6.875%) |
| Mississippi | 5% | Yes | Sales tax on vehicles (5%) |
| Missouri | 8.44% | Yes | Sales tax (4.225%) plus local taxes where you live |
| Montana | None | Check | No sales tax (registration fees and a county option tax instead) |
| Nebraska | 6.98% | Yes | Sales tax (5.5%) plus local taxes |
| Nevada | 8.24% | Yes | Sales tax (county rate, 6.85% to 8.375%) |
| New Hampshire | None | Check | No sales tax (town permit fee instead) |
| New Jersey | 6.625% | Yes | Sales tax (6.625%) |
| New Mexico | 4% | Yes | Motor vehicle excise tax (4%) |
| New York | 8.54% | Yes | Sales tax (4%) plus local taxes where you live |
| North Carolina | 3% | Yes | Highway use tax (3%) instead of sales tax |
| North Dakota | 5% | Yes | Motor vehicle excise tax (5%) |
| Ohio | 7.29% | Limited | Sales tax (5.75%) plus county tax where you live |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% | Limited | Vehicle excise tax (3.25%) plus 1.25% sales tax |
| Oregon | 0.5% | No | Vehicle privilege tax (0.5%) on new cars only |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | Yes | Sales tax (6%, 7% Allegheny County, 8% Philadelphia) |
| Rhode Island | 7% | Limited | Sales tax (7%) |
| South Carolina | 5% | Yes | Infrastructure maintenance fee (5%, maximum $500) |
| South Dakota | 4% | Yes | Motor vehicle excise tax (4%) |
| Tennessee | 7% | Yes | Sales tax (7%) plus local tax on the first $1,600 |
| Texas | 6.25% | Yes | Motor vehicle sales tax (6.25%) |
| Utah | 7.42% | Yes | Sales tax (state and local, 6.10% or more) |
| Vermont | 6% | Yes | Purchase and use tax (6%) |
| Virginia | 4.15% | No | Motor vehicle sales and use tax (4.15%) |
| Washington | 10.07% | Yes | Sales tax plus 0.5% motor vehicle tax |
| West Virginia | 6% | Yes | Titling tax (6%) |
| Wisconsin | 5.72% | Yes | Sales tax (5%) plus county tax |
| Wyoming | 5.39% | Yes | Sales tax (4%) plus county tax |
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How car sales tax works
- Taxable price = vehicle price + taxable fees − trade-in (if allowed) − rebate (if not taxed).
- Tax = taxable price × your state and local rate.
- Some states use a separate vehicle tax instead of sales tax, such as Georgia’s title ad valorem tax or North Carolina’s highway use tax. The state pages explain each one.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax on a car?
Start with the vehicle price, add any taxable dealer fees, subtract your trade-in if your state allows a trade-in credit, and subtract rebates if your state taxes the price after rebates. Multiply what is left by your state and local rate.
Do I pay sales tax where I buy the car or where I register it?
Usually where you register it. Most states charge their own tax (or a use tax) when you title the car at home, and give credit for tax paid to another state.
Which states have no sales tax on cars?
Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no general sales tax, but some charge a document fee or a privilege tax on new vehicles. See each state page.
Does a trade-in lower the sales tax?
In most states, yes: you pay tax on the price minus the trade-in. A handful of states, including California, tax the full price.
Sources
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