Used Car Sales Tax Calculator
Work out the sales tax, title and registration on a used car in any U.S. state, from a dealer or a private seller. The calculator below starts on a used car; change the price, year and seller to match your deal.
Choose a state to load its calculator.
How much is sales tax on a used car?
Used cars are taxed at the same rate as new ones in nearly every state; what changes is the price the tax is charged on. On a $15,000, 4-year-old used car from a dealer, the state tax ranges from $0 in the states without a vehicle sales tax to $1,094, before any local tax.
Example: in Texas, that car has $937.50 in sales tax at 6.25%, plus about $92 in title and registration fees.
What lowers the tax on a used car?
- A dealer trade-in lowers the taxable price in most states (see trade-in rules by state).
- A gift or family transfer is exempt or taxed at a flat amount in many states, with the right form.
- Tax already paid to another state is usually credited when you register the car at home.
Sales tax on a used car by state
State tax on a $15,000, 4-year-old used car, bought from a dealer and from a private seller, plus title and registration (dealer sale). Local taxes are not included; states marked "+ local" add a city or county rate.
| State | Tax, dealer | Tax, private seller | Title + registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $300 + local | $300 | $42.25 |
| Alaska | $0 + local | $0 | $115 |
| Arizona | $840 + local | $0 | $286.48 |
| Arkansas | $975 + local | $975 | $38 |
| California | $1,087.50 + local | $1,087.50 | $308.50 |
| Colorado | $435 + local | $435 | $187 |
| Connecticut | $952.50 | $952.50 | $206.50 |
| Delaware | $788 | $788 | $75 |
| District of Columbia | $615 | $615 | $240 |
| Florida | $900 + local | $900 | $373.85 |
| Georgia | $1,050 | $1,050 | $38 |
| Hawaii | $675 | $0 | $107.25 |
| Idaho | $900 + local | $900 | $72.25 |
| Illinois | $937.50 + local | $850 | $316 |
| Indiana | $1,050 | $1,050 | $51.35 |
| Iowa | $760 | $760 | $35 + county reg. |
| Kansas | $975 + local | $975 | $40 |
| Kentucky | $900 | $900 | $30 |
| Louisiana | $750 + local | $750 | $106.50 |
| Maine | $825 | $825 | $276 |
| Maryland | $975 | $975 | $320.50 |
| Massachusetts | $937.50 | $937.50 | $135 |
| Michigan | $900 | $900 | $218 |
| Minnesota | $1,031.25 | $1,031.25 | $414.30 |
| Mississippi | $750 | $750 | $38 |
| Missouri | $633.75 + local | $633.75 | $77.75 |
| Montana | $0 + local | $0 | $258.53 |
| Nebraska | $825 + local | $825 | $38.70 |
| Nevada | $0 + local | $0 | $307.65 |
| New Hampshire | $0 | $0 | $283 |
| New Jersey | $993.75 | $993.75 | $106.50 |
| New Mexico | $600 | $600 | $79.50 |
| New York | $600 + local | $600 | $141.50 |
| North Carolina | $450 | $450 | $113 |
| North Dakota | $750 | $750 | $98 |
| Ohio | $862.50 + local | $862.50 | $62 |
| Oklahoma | $646.50 | $646.50 | $117.25 |
| Oregon | $0 | $0 | $268 |
| Pennsylvania | $900 + local | $900 | $120 |
| Rhode Island | $1,050 | $1,050 | $157 |
| South Carolina | $500 | $500 | $55 |
| South Dakota | $600 | $600 | $12 + county reg. |
| Tennessee | $1,094 + local | $1,094 | $40.50 |
| Texas | $937.50 | $937.50 | $92 |
| Utah | $727.50 + local | $727.50 | $163.50 |
| Vermont | $900 | $900 | $133 |
| Virginia | $622.50 | $622.50 | $45.75 |
| Washington | $1,050 + local | $1,050 | $261.25 |
| West Virginia | $900 | $900 | $66.50 |
| Wisconsin | $750 + local | $750 | $311.50 |
| Wyoming | $600 + local | $600 | $237 |
Estimates from each state's calculator on this site (no trade-in, gas car, 2022 model year). Some states tax private sales on a book or presumptive value instead of the price; enter it in your state's calculator where asked.
Frequently asked questions
Do you pay sales tax on a used car?
Yes, in almost every state. Used cars are taxed like new ones, usually at the same rate, when you title and register them. Only the states with no sales tax on vehicles skip it.
How is sales tax calculated on a used car?
Tax = taxable price × your state (and local) rate. The taxable price is usually what you paid minus any dealer trade-in, but some states use a minimum or book value instead of the price on a private sale.
Is tax different if I buy from a private seller?
Sometimes. On the same car, our calculators give a different tax for a private sale in Arizona, Hawaii and Illinois, and some states tax private sales on a book value instead of the price. A dealer trade-in credit also does not apply to a private purchase. See the private sale tax guide.
How much is tax, title and license on a used car?
For a $15,000, 4-year-old used car bought from a dealer, the state tax alone runs from $0 to $1,094 depending on the state, plus title and registration. Use the calculator above for your state's full total.