Texas Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Texas costs $28 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,029.50 in total, with $937.50 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Texas title fees
These are the title-related fees in Texas's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title standard | $28 |
|---|---|
| Title non attainment counties | $33 |
| Title duplicate mail | $2 |
| Title duplicate walk in | $5.45 |
| Title bonded | $15 |
| Title salvage | $8 |
| Title rebuilt | $65 |
| Registration transfer | $2.50 |
| Late penalty 1–30 days | 5% of tax |
| Late penalty over 30 days | 10% of tax |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Texas
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Texas car tax calculator:
| Title | $28 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $937.50 |
| Registration + required fees (if you register it now) | $64 |
| Estimated total | $1,029.50 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Texas charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: late penalty 1–30 days 5% of tax; late penalty over 30 days 10% of tax.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift between eligible relatives | $10 gift tax instead of sales tax; ineligible relationships taxed as a private sale |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance (on/after Sep 1, 2025) | Tax $0; title and registration still due |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Texas
| Even exchange | $5 tax per party |
|---|---|
| New resident with vehicle previously registered out of state in own name | $90 flat instead of use tax |
| Out-of-state purchase by Texas resident | 6.25% use tax minus tax paid elsewhere |
| Lease | Lessor pays tax on its purchase; no tax on monthly payments; buyout taxed at 6.25% |
How Texas works out what you owe
- Dealer: taxable base = price + accessories - trade-in - dealer discount - rebate
- Private used: taxable base = greater of price or 80% of Standard Presumptive Value (or certified appraisal)
- Tax = taxable base x 6.25%; add late penalty if filed late
- Registration = base + TexasSure + processing + inspection replacement + county emissions + county local fee (+ EV fee)
- Total = tax + penalty + title + registration + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Texas: comptroller.texas.gov, www.txdmv.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Texas?
The title fee is $28. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,029.50.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Texas?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Texas charges about $937.50. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Texas?
Yes. Late penalty 1–30 days: 5% of tax; Late penalty over 30 days: 10% of tax.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Texas?
Gift between eligible relatives: $10 gift tax instead of sales tax; ineligible relationships taxed as a private sale.
What happens to a car title after a death in Texas?
Inheritance (on/after Sep 1, 2025): Tax $0; title and registration still due.