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Car Sales Tax Calculator

Sales tax on a new or used vehicle after a trade-in, rebates and dealer fees, plus the out-the-door price

Updated 2026-11-10

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Sales tax
$1,561.00
Taxable amount
$22,300.00
Out-the-door cost
$24,111.00
Tax saved by the trade-in credit
$560.00

Out the door = price − trade-in − rebate + fees + tax. A loan payoff on the trade-in is added back separately and does not change the tax.

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Car sales tax is the combined state and local rate times the taxable price, and the taxable price is usually the price after your trade-in. A $30,000 car with an $8,000 trade-in and a $300 taxable doc fee is taxed on $22,300; at 7% that is $1,561.00, against $2,121.00 with no trade-in credit. Enter your numbers and tick the rules your state uses. Nothing is stored or sent.

How car sales tax is worked out

Taxable amount = vehicle price − trade-in value (in states that give a trade-in credit) − rebates (in states that do not tax them) + taxable dealer fees. Sales tax = taxable amount × the combined rate for the address where the car is registered.

Out-the-door price = vehicle price − trade-in − rebate + dealer and government fees + sales tax. With the example above and $250 of title and registration fees, that is $30,000 − $8,000 + $300 + $250 + $1,561 = $24,111.

The trade-in credit

Most states tax only the difference between the new car and your trade-in, which is often the biggest tax saving in the deal: an $8,000 trade at 7% saves $560 of tax. A few states, California among them, tax the full price before the trade-in. Selling your old car privately gets you no trade-in credit anywhere, so compare the private-sale price with the dealer offer plus the tax saving.

Rebates, doc fees and other charges

  • Manufacturer rebates: some states tax the price before the rebate, others after it. Dealer discounts always lower the taxable price.
  • Dealer documentation fees are taxable in many states because they are part of the sale price.
  • Title, registration and plate fees are government fees and are normally not taxed.
  • Extended warranties and service contracts are taxed in some states and not in others.
  • A loan payoff on your trade-in does not change the tax: the trade-in value is credited, and the payoff is added to what you finance.

Where the rate comes from

You pay the rate for where the vehicle is registered, not where the dealer is. Many states add local tax on top of the state rate: Missouri, for example, charges 4.225% state tax plus the local rate where you live, so the total is often 7% to 10%. Buying out of state usually means paying your home state's tax when you register the car. Check the exact rate with your state's motor vehicle or revenue department before you sign.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate sales tax on a car?

Take the price, subtract the trade-in (if your state credits it) and any untaxed rebate, add taxable fees, and multiply by the combined state and local rate. $22,300 taxable at 7% is $1,561.

Do you pay sales tax on a trade-in?

In most states you only pay tax on the difference between the new car and the trade-in value. California and a few other states tax the full price.

Is sales tax included in the out-the-door price?

Yes. The out-the-door price is the vehicle price after the trade-in and rebates, plus dealer fees, government fees and sales tax.

Do I pay sales tax on a used car from a private seller?

Usually yes, when you title and register the car, and there is no trade-in credit on a private sale. Some states use a set value or a different rate for private sales.

What is the car sales tax in Missouri?

Missouri charges a 4.225% state sales tax on vehicles plus the local rate where you live, on the price after a trade-in. Combined rates are often 7% to 10%.

Are dealer doc fees taxed?

In many states, yes, because the fee is part of what you pay the dealer. Untick the doc fee box if your state does not tax it.

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As an Amazon Associate, ExpressBizTools earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links. Calculations are for general planning and are not tax, legal, or financial advice.