Car sales tax by state
Official vehicle tax rates in the 16 states we cover, and what a $30,000 used car from a dealer pays (no trade-in). Estimates; ranges show local differences.
| State | Rate | Trade-in credit | Tax on $30k | All taxes and fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Statewide sales and use tax base rate; local total rates run from 7.25% to 11.75% including the state rate, by where the car is registered | No | $2,175.00–$3,525.00 | $2,647.00–$3,997.00 |
| Florida | State sales and use tax (6%); plus a local rate of 0% to 2% by where you live, on the first $5,000.00 only | Yes | $1,800.00–$1,900.00 | $1,922.85–$2,275.85 |
| Georgia | Title ad valorem tax (state + local, one-time); no separate local tax on vehicles | Yes (dealer sales) | $2,100.00 | $2,138.00 |
| Illinois | State sales tax on dealer and out-of-state purchases (6.25%); plus a local rate that depends on where you buy | Yes (dealer sales) | $1,875.00 | $2,191.00 |
| Missouri | Missouri state sales tax; plus a local rate of 1% to 7.263% by where you live | Yes | $1,567.50–$3,446.40 | $1,612.25–$3,524.15 |
| New Jersey | New Jersey sales/use tax; Luxury and Fuel-Inefficient Surcharge (new vehicles only); no separate local tax on vehicles | Yes (dealer sales) | $1,987.50 | $2,119.00 |
| New York | State sales tax (4%); plus a local rate of 3% to 4.875% by where you live | Yes (dealer sales) | $2,100.00–$2,662.50 | $2,231.50–$2,904.00 |
| North Carolina | Highway Use Tax (3% of the retail value); no separate local tax on vehicles | Yes | $900.00 | $1,013.00–$1,030.00 |
| Ohio | State sales/use tax; plus a local rate of 0.75% to 2.5% by where you live | Yes (new cars only) | $1,950.00–$2,475.00 | $2,012.00–$2,572.00 |
| Pennsylvania | State sales tax (6%); plus a local rate of 1% to 2% by where you live | Yes | $2,100.00–$2,400.00 | $2,220.00–$2,525.00 |
| South Carolina | Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (5% of the price, max $500); no separate local tax on vehicles | Yes | $500.00 | $555.00 |
| Tennessee | State sales tax (7% of the full price); plus a local rate of up to 2.75%, on the first $1,600.00 only | Yes | $2,144.00–$2,188.00 | $2,170.50–$2,214.50 |
| Texas | Motor vehicle sales tax (6.25%); no separate local tax on vehicles | Yes | $1,875.00 | $1,967.00–$2,006.25 |
| Utah | State sales and use tax; local total rates run from 6.35% to 8.45% including the state rate, by where you buy or register it | Yes | $1,905.00–$2,535.00 | $2,104.75–$2,747.75 |
| Virginia | Virginia motor vehicle sales and use tax; no separate local tax on vehicles | No | $1,245.00 | $1,290.75–$1,396.23 |
| Washington | State retail sales/use tax (6.5%); Motor vehicle sales/use tax (0.5%, from Jan 1 2026); plus a local rate of 1.1% to 4.2% by where you live | Yes | $2,430.00–$3,360.00 | $2,691.25–$3,621.25 |
Registration fees by state · Compare two states
FAQ
Which of these states has the lowest car sales tax?
On the $30,000 example the lowest tax is South Carolina and the highest local maximum is California, computed from the official rates.
Estimates of government taxes and fees from official sources; your DMV or county calculates the final amount; not tax or legal advice. Every figure is taken from an official state page (quoted and dated in the sources) and can change. Dealer-set fees are not government fees. Exemptions are described, never applied for you: check the official rule and form.