AutoTaxCalculatorVehicle Tax Calculator
Work out the sales tax, title and license fees on a car before you sign anything. Start with the quick calculator below, or open your state's calculator for the exact rules where you'll register the car.
An estimate for planning. The amount you owe is set by your state when you title and register the car.
Use the exact rules of your state
A flat rate is only a rough guess. Each state calculator below applies that state's own rules: price brackets, local caps, fee limits and value-based charges.
Arkansas Car Sales Tax Calculator
6.5% state tax, a reduced 3.5% rate on used cars between $4,000 and $10,000, and local tax on only the first $2,500.
Calculate Arkansas tax → TennesseeTennessee Car Sales Tax Calculator
7% state tax plus your county's local rate on the first $1,600 and the state single article tax, worked out together.
Calculate Tennessee tax → TennesseeTN Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator
The $26.50 plate plus all 95 counties' 2026 wheel taxes and the EV and hybrid fees.
Calculate TN registration → MissouriMissouri Car Sales Tax Calculator
4.225% state tax plus the local rate where you live, title fees, and the penalty if you miss the 30-day deadline.
Calculate Missouri tax → North CarolinaNorth Carolina Car Sales Tax Calculator
The 3% highway use tax for dealer and private sales, with the $250 maximum for new residents, plus title and plate fees.
Calculate NC tax → North CarolinaNC Car Registration Fee Calculator
Your plate fee and the yearly vehicle property tax that's billed with it through Tag & Tax Together.
Calculate NC registration → South CarolinaSouth Carolina Vehicle Tax Calculator
The one-time infrastructure maintenance fee (capped at $500) and the yearly county property tax on your car.
Calculate SC vehicle tax → PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Car Sales Tax Calculator
6% statewide, 7% in Allegheny County and 8% in Philadelphia, with the title and $48 registration.
Calculate PA tax → PennsylvaniaPA Tax, Title, Tags and Fees Calculator
PennDOT's full fee chart, pickup truck classes and the 2026 EV road user charge.
Calculate PA tags → AlabamaAlabama Car Sales Tax Calculator
The 2% state automotive rate plus your county and city rates, and the 20-day registration penalty.
Calculate Alabama tax → MassachusettsMassachusetts Car Sales Tax & Excise
6.25% sales tax on dealer and private sales, and the yearly $25-per-$1,000 motor vehicle excise.
Calculate MA tax → MassachusettsMassachusetts Registration Fee Calculator
RMV plate fees by type, the $75 title, plate transfers and the first excise bill.
Calculate MA registration → KansasKansas Car Sales Tax Calculator
6.5% state tax plus local rates, with the trade-in and the new 120-day sold-vehicle credit.
Calculate Kansas tax → Richland County, SCRichland County Vehicle Tax Calculator
Your yearly car tax using the county's official 2025 millage for Columbia, Forest Acres, Cayce and more.
Calculate Richland tax → TexasTexas Tax, Title & License Calculator
6.25% motor vehicle tax for dealer, private, new resident and gift transfers, plus 2026 fees for all 254 counties.
Calculate Texas TT&L → WashingtonWashington Car Sales Tax Calculator
State, local and 0.3% motor vehicle sales tax after trade-in, plus the new 8% luxury tax over $102,000.
Calculate WA tax → WashingtonWashington Registration Fee Calculator
License fee, the 2026 weight fee, filing and service fees, EV fees and your RTA tax.
Calculate WA tabs → MaineMaine Excise Tax Calculator
Yearly excise from MSRP and age (24 mills down to 4), plus the 5.5% Maine car sales tax.
Calculate Maine excise → UtahUtah Car Sales Tax Calculator
4.85% state plus local sales tax after trade-in, and the 2026 uniform age-based fee.
Calculate Utah tax → ConnecticutConnecticut Car Sales Tax Calculator
6.35%, or 7.75% over $50,000, with the private-sale NADA rule and CT DMV registration fees.
Calculate CT tax → NebraskaNebraska Vehicle Tax Calculator
5.5% state plus local sales tax, after trade-in and dealer-assigned rebates, with the 30-day rule.
Calculate Nebraska tax → MarylandMaryland Car Tax Calculator
The 6.5% excise titling tax (up from 6% in July 2025) and the $100 new-resident rule.
Calculate Maryland tax → IndianaIndiana Car Sales Tax & Registration
7% sales tax plus BMV registration and the excise tax from the official class and age table.
Calculate Indiana costs → DelawareDelaware Document Fee Calculator
No sales tax, but a 5.25% document fee on the price or NADA value, plus title and registration.
Calculate Delaware fees → New HampshireNew Hampshire Registration Calculator
No sales tax. The town permit fee runs from $18 per $1,000 of MSRP when new down to $3.
Calculate NH fees → WisconsinWisconsin Wheel Tax by City & County
Every municipal and county wheel tax from WisDOT's list, added to your yearly registration.
Find your wheel tax → ArizonaArizona Registration Fee Calculator
The vehicle license tax on 60% of MSRP, falling 16.25% a year, plus registration and title fees.
Calculate AZ registration → MinnesotaMinnesota Registration Fee Calculator
$10 + 1.575% of MSRP on the statutory age schedule, down to $30 from year 11.
Calculate MN registration → Charleston County, SCCharleston County Vehicle Tax Calculator
Yearly car tax with the county's 2026 millage for all 32 tax districts.
Calculate Charleston tax → Spartanburg County, SCSpartanburg Vehicle Tax Calculator
Yearly car tax with the Auditor's 2026 levy for every district code and town.
Calculate Spartanburg tax → New YorkNYS Registration Fee Calculator
Two-year fee by weight, county use tax, the MCTD fee and local sales tax for all 62 counties.
Calculate NY fees → New JerseyNJ Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator
Flat MVC fees by weight and age, the ZEV fee, 6.625% sales tax and the 0.4% luxury surcharge.
Calculate NJ fees → OhioOhio Vehicle Sales Tax Calculator
State plus county rate for all 88 counties, with the new-car-only trade-in rule.
Calculate Ohio tax → GeorgiaGeorgia TAVT Calculator
One-time 7% title ad valorem tax, 3% for new residents and 0.5% for family transfers.
Calculate Georgia TAVT → VirginiaVirginia Car Sales Tax Calculator
4.15% sales and use tax with the $75 minimum and no trade-in credit, plus DMV fees.
Calculate VA tax → WisconsinWisconsin Registration Fee & Tax Calculator
$85 registration, $214.50 title and sales tax for every county and the City of Milwaukee.
Calculate WI fees → OklahomaOklahoma Auto Tax Calculator
3.25% excise tax plus 1.25% sales tax, with tag fees by vehicle age.
Calculate OK tax → MississippiMississippi Car Sales Tax Calculator
5% after trade-in, state values for private sales, and county tag costs.
Calculate MS tax → West VirginiaWV Sales Tax on Vehicles Calculator
6% titling tax, the WV-titled trade-in rule and book-value rules for private sales.
Calculate WV tax → South DakotaSouth Dakota Car Sales Tax Calculator
4% excise tax after trade-in, plus plate fees by weight and age.
Calculate SD tax → Washington DCDC Vehicle Excise Tax Calculator
Excise tax from 1% to 11% by weight and city MPG, with 2026 registration fees.
Calculate DC excise → VermontVermont Auto Sales Tax Calculator
6% purchase and use tax with trade-in and private-sale credits.
Calculate VT tax → Rhode IslandRI Car Sales Tax & Registration Calculator
7% sales tax with the NADA private-sale rule, plus registration by weight and 2026 EV fees.
Calculate RI fees → MichiganMI Auto Sales Tax Calculator
6% of the full price, the $12,000 trade-in cap for 2026, and taxable factory rebates.
Calculate MI tax → MichiganMichigan Registration Fee Calculator
The list-price fee chart from MCL 257.801, yearly step-downs, and EV surcharges.
Calculate MI registration → HawaiiHawaii Registration & Back Tax Calculator
State and county weight taxes for all four counties, late penalties, GET and use tax.
Calculate HI registration → IdahoIdaho Car Sales Tax Calculator
6% after trade-in and factory rebates, the $14 title, and registration by vehicle age.
Calculate ID tax → IowaIowa Car Sales Tax Calculator
The $10 + 5% fee for new registration, the $30 title, and the yearly fee by value and weight.
Calculate IA fees → AlaskaAlaska Registration Fee Calculator
The $100 two-year fee plus each area's registration tax by model year.
Calculate AK registration → FloridaFlorida Car Sales Tax Calculator
6% plus the 2026 surtax for all 67 counties, the $225 initial fee, tag and title.
Calculate FL tax → KentuckyKentucky Car Sales Tax Calculator
The 6% usage tax for new and used cars, new residents and gifts, with clerk fees.
Calculate KY tax → New MexicoNM Vehicle Registration Fees Calculator
The July 2026 fee schedule by weight and age, plus the 4% motor vehicle excise tax.
Calculate NM fees → North DakotaND Vehicle Sales Tax Calculator
5% excise tax after trade-in and rebates, plus 2026 registration by weight and year first registered.
Calculate ND tax → NevadaNevada Car Registration Fee Calculator
Governmental Services Tax from MSRP and age, supplemental GST and county sales tax.
Calculate NV fees → WyomingWyoming Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator
County fee from factory price by year of service, plus the $30 state fee.
Calculate WY fees → OregonOregon Car Sales Tax & Fee Calculator
No sales tax, 0.5% on new cars, and title and registration fees by MPG.
Calculate Oregon fees → All statesVehicle Registration Calculator by State
Compare how every state sets registration and open the calculator for yours.
Compare registration costs → ColoradoColorado Car Registration Fee Calculator
Specific ownership tax on 85% of MSRP, FASTER surcharges, age and EV fees.
Calculate CO registration → LouisianaLouisiana Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator
Plates at 0.1% of price per year, $68.50 title and state plus local sales tax.
Calculate LA TT&L → IllinoisIllinois Car Sales Tax Calculator
Dealer sales tax after trade-in and the flat RUT-50 tax on private sales.
Calculate IL tax → CaliforniaCalifornia Car Sales Tax Calculator
7.25% plus district tax where you register, with no trade-in deduction.
Calculate CA sales tax → ArizonaArizona Car Tax Calculator
5.6% state TPT plus local rates at the dealer's location.
Calculate AZ sales tax → MinnesotaMN Used Car Sales Tax Calculator
6.875% after trade-in and rebates, $10 for older low-value cars.
Calculate MN sales tax → MontanaMontana Registration Fees Calculator
No sales tax. $217, $87 or $28 by age plus county local option tax.
Calculate MT fees → CaliforniaCalifornia Registration Fee Calculator
Registration, CHP, vehicle license fee and transportation improvement fee at 2026 rates, plus DMV late penalties.
Calculate CA registration →What you actually pay in tax, title and license
The sticker price is never the final number. The taxes to buy a car come on top. When you buy a car, the state collects a set of charges before it lets you drive it legally, and the dealer usually adds its own fees on top. Together these turn a $30,000 car into something closer to $32,000 or $33,000 in many states. Knowing each piece helps you check a dealer's quote line by line.
| Charge | Who sets it | How it's usually calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Sales or use tax | State, often plus city and county | A percentage of the price, after any trade-in credit your state allows |
| Title fee | State | A flat fee to record you as the owner, often $10–$100 |
| Registration / plates | State, sometimes county | Flat, or based on weight, value, age or fuel type |
| Value-based license tax | Some states | A yearly percentage of the car's value, such as California's 0.65% vehicle license fee |
| Property tax on the car | County or city (e.g. SC, MO, VA) | Yearly, based on the assessed value and the local millage |
| Dealer doc fee | The dealer (some states cap it) | A flat charge for paperwork; taxable in some states |
Only the first five are government charges. The doc fee is the dealer's, and it's one of the few numbers on the sheet you can sometimes negotiate.
Five rules that change your car tax the most
1. Where you register the car, not where you buy it
Buy a car two states away and you still pay the tax of your home state when you register it there. If the selling state charged you tax, most states give you credit for it, so you only pay any difference. This is why driving across a state line to "save on tax" rarely works for residents.
2. The trade-in credit
Most states tax only the difference between the new car's price and your trade-in. On a $35,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in, that means paying tax on $25,000, which saves $700 at a 7% rate. A few states, California among them, tax the full price, so trading in there saves you nothing on tax.
3. Local add-on rates and caps
City and county taxes can add several points to the state rate. Some states limit how much of the price local tax applies to: Tennessee applies the local rate to the first $1,600 only, and Arkansas to the first $2,500. On an expensive car those caps make a big difference.
4. Private sales
Buying from a private seller doesn't mean skipping the tax. You pay it yourself when you title the car, usually on the price you paid. Some states use a book value instead if the price looks too low.
5. Fees that replace sales tax
A few states use a different charge instead of a regular sales tax. South Carolina charges a one-time infrastructure maintenance fee capped at $500. North Carolina charges a 3% highway use tax. Maine and Massachusetts add a yearly excise tax on top. Our Massachusetts and Maine pages each include an excise tax estimator.
States with no car sales tax
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no general state sales tax, so buyers there don't pay a percentage of the price as sales tax. That doesn't make registering a car free: these states still charge title and registration fees, and some add their own vehicle charges, such as Delaware's document fee on new titles. If you live elsewhere and buy in one of these states, you'll pay your home state's tax when you register the car at home.
Car tax payment: where and when you pay
A car tax payment almost never goes to the IRS or your state's income tax office. It's collected by whoever titles the car, and in most states the deadline is counted from the purchase date. A dealer usually collects the tax for you. On a private sale you make the vehicle tax payment yourself when you title the car.
| State | Who collects the tax | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | State revenue office, when you register | 30 days |
| Alabama | County licensing office | 20 days |
| Florida | Dealer, or the county tax collector | At titling |
| Kentucky | County clerk | 15 days |
| Iowa | County treasurer | At first registration |
| North Carolina | Dealer, or the license plate agency | At titling |
| Rhode Island | DMV or Division of Taxation | 20th of the next month |
| South Carolina | SCDMV (IMF), then the county yearly | Before registering |
| Tennessee | County clerk | At titling |
Two kinds of tax payment for a car come back every year: personal property tax on vehicles (South Carolina, Missouri, Virginia and others) and excise taxes (Massachusetts and Maine). Those are billed by your county, city or town, and you usually can't renew the registration until they're paid.
Title fees by state
Title fees are the smallest part of tax, title and license, but they vary more than you'd think. A title fee calculator isn't really needed, because most states charge a flat amount. Here are the current fees in states we've verified:
| State | Title fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $9 | $25 speed title, $22 lien |
| Idaho | $14 | Plus a county admin fee |
| California | $15 | Transfer fee, plus a $15 penalty if late |
| Alabama | $15 | Plus agent commissions of up to $3 |
| Alaska | $15 | $15 lien recording |
| Michigan | $15 | +$1 lien, +$5 expedited |
| Iowa | $30 | Same fee for all titles |
| Vermont | $42 | $14 security interest |
| New York | $50 | New registrations |
| Rhode Island | $53.50 | Lien statement also $53.50 |
| New Jersey | $60 | $85 with a lien |
| Pennsylvania | $72 | $36 per lien |
| Massachusetts | $75 | $25 duplicate |
| Florida | $75.25–$85.25 | $77.25 for a new car |
For the full tax, title and fees calculator for your state, including registration, open your state from the list above. Our guide to title transfer fees by state covers more states, plus lien and late fees.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the price you agreed on before any trade-in.
- Enter your combined sales tax rate. If you don't know it, open your state calculator above, which looks up the rules for you.
- Add your trade-in, rebates and the dealer's doc fee. Tick the boxes that match your state's rules.
- Add title and registration fees from your state DMV or the dealer quote to see the full out-the-door total.
Use Copy link to this result to save your numbers or send them to someone, for example to compare two dealers' quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much are taxes and title on a car?
It depends on the state where you register the car. State sales tax on vehicles ranges from 0% in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon to over 7% in some states, and many states add a local rate. Title fees are usually small, often under $100. Registration ranges from a flat amount to several hundred dollars where it's based on the car's value or weight.
How much is tax, title and license on a car?
Roughly the sales tax rate times the price, plus a few hundred dollars in title and registration. A $30,000 car at 7% with $300 in fees comes to about $2,400. States with value-based registration (California, Arizona, Minnesota and others) add more each year.
Do you pay sales tax where you buy the car or where you register it?
In almost every case you pay the tax of the state where you register the car. Many states give credit for tax you already paid to another state, so you only owe the difference.
Does a trade-in lower the sales tax on a car?
In most states, yes. The trade-in value is subtracted from the price before tax is calculated. A handful of states, including California and Virginia, tax the full price, so check your state's rule.
What government charges do you pay when buying a car?
Usually sales or use tax (or a fee that replaces it), a title fee, a registration or plate fee, and in some states a value-based license tax, inspection fee or yearly property tax.
Can you write a car off on taxes?
Only to the extent it's used for business, and that's an income tax question, separate from the tax, title and license you pay when you buy. Sales tax and value-based registration fees can sometimes be deducted if you itemize. Ask a tax professional about your own situation.
Is a tax title and license calculator accurate?
It's as accurate as the rate and fees you enter. Our state calculators apply each state's own rules, which is why they're closer to what the DMV will charge than a flat-rate estimate. The final amount is always set by your state when you title the car. See how we calculate for the sources we use.