Calculator

Car Sales Tax Calculator

Estimate state vehicle sales tax in seconds. Most states give a sales-tax credit for your trade-in (effectively taxing only the difference) — a handful do not.

Estimated sales tax
$1,437.50
Texas base rate 6.25%
Taxable amount
$23,000.00
Total with tax
$29,437.50

How to use this calculator

Pick your state, enter the selling price and any trade-in value, and we'll calculate the base state sales tax. If your state credits trade-in, the taxable amount is the difference between selling price and trade-in value.

Important disclaimer

This is an estimate based on the base state rate only. Local sales taxes, special vehicle taxes (like Georgia's TAVT or South Carolina's IMF), and one-time excise taxes are not included. Always verify with your state DOR or dealer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every state give trade-in sales tax credit?+

No. Most do, but California, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and D.C. do not. Illinois caps the credit at $10,000.

Are local taxes included?+

Only base state rates are shown here. Counties and cities can add 1–3%+ on top — always check with your DMV before finalizing numbers.

Are dealer doc fees taxable?+

In most states, yes — the doc fee is taxable because it is part of the vehicle transaction. A few states exempt it.

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