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Buying & FinancingCar Sales Tax & Out-the-Door Price Calculator
The sticker isn’t what you pay. Enter the price, your combined sales-tax rate, and any dealer fees to see the tax and the real out-the-door total.
Multiply the vehicle price by your combined state and local sales-tax rate, then add dealer and title fees. A $32,000 car at 7% carries $2,240 in sales tax; with $800 in fees the out-the-door price is about $35,040.
How this calculator works
Sales tax is your combined state and local rate applied to the price; we add it to the price and your dealer/title fees for the out-the-door total. Enter your own rate — it varies widely by state and even by county, and some places tax the price after a trade-in.
What changes the number
- Rates vary a lot — from 0% in a few states to over 9% with local add-ons. Use your actual combined rate.
- Many states tax the price after subtracting a trade-in, which can cut the tax noticeably.
- Doc/dealer fees are separate from tax and differ by dealer and state — ask for them in writing.
Car sales tax by price and tax rate
Tax only — add dealer, title, and registration fees for the out-the-door price.
| Vehicle price | At 4% | At 6% | At 7% | At 9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $800 | $1,200 | $1,400 | $1,800 |
| $30,000 | $1,200 | $1,800 | $2,100 | $2,700 |
| $40,000 | $1,600 | $2,400 | $2,800 | $3,600 |
| $50,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,500 |
How a trade-in can cut the tax (7% rate)
Applies in states that tax the price net of the trade-in, which is most of them; a few tax the full price regardless.
| Line item | No trade-in | With a $10,000 trade-in |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle price | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Taxable amount | $35,000 | $25,000 |
| Sales tax at 7% | $2,450 | $1,750 |
| Tax saved | $0 | $700 |
Frequently asked questions
What sales tax rate should I enter?
Your combined state + local rate where the car is registered. A quick search for “[your city] car sales tax” will give it; it’s often different from the general retail rate.
Does a trade-in reduce sales tax?
In most states, yes — you’re taxed on the price minus the trade-in value. A few states tax the full price. Check your state’s rule.
Are dealer fees taxable?
It depends on the state and the fee. Documentation fees are often taxed; government title/registration fees usually aren’t. This calculator simply adds fees on top of the taxed price.
How do I calculate sales tax on a car?
Multiply the taxable price by your combined state and local rate — at 7%, a $30,000 car carries $2,100. If your state credits trade-ins, subtract the trade-in value first; some states tax the price before a manufacturer rebate is taken off. Then add fees for the out-the-door total.
Do you pay sales tax on a used car?
Yes, in states with a sales tax — on the purchase price, whether you buy from a dealer or, in most states, a private seller. On a private sale the tax is usually collected when you title and register the car rather than at the handover.
What is an out-the-door price?
The total you actually pay to drive away: the negotiated price plus sales tax, the dealer’s documentation fee, and government title and registration fees, minus any trade-in and rebates. Asking each dealer for the out-the-door figure in writing is the simplest way to compare offers, because it stops fees appearing at signing.
Do I pay sales tax where I buy the car or where I register it?
Generally where you register it. If you buy in a neighboring state, the dealer may collect your home state’s tax, or you pay it when you register at home — so shopping across a state line rarely avoids the tax.