Car sales tax in Ohio
Ohio: State sales/use tax; plus a local rate of 0.75% to 2.5% by where you live.
On a $30,000 used car from a dealer with no trade-in, the tax is $1,950.00–$2,475.00 and all taxes and government fees come to about $2,012.00–$2,572.00.
Trade-in: a trade-in does not lower the tax on this example. Private sale ($15,000): tax $975.00–$1,237.50.
Estimate of government charges. Your DMV, tax office or county calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: buying from a dealer in Ohio · Different situation?
Every line on a $30,000 dealer purchase
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| State sales/use tax | State & local tax | $1,725.00 | Ohio Department of Taxation |
| Local sales tax | State & local tax | $225.00–$750.00 | Ohio Department of Taxation |
| Certificate of title (Clerk of Courts) | Title | $18.00–$23.00 | Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov) |
| Passenger vehicle registration | Registration & plates | $36.00 | Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Ohio Department of Public Safety) |
| Deputy registrar fee (1-year registration) | Registration & plates | $8.00 | Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Ohio Department of Public Safety) |
| Permissive (local) registration tax | Registration & plates | $0.00–$30.00 | Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Ohio Department of Public Safety) |
How Ohio taxes a car purchase
- Trade-in: ONLY when buying a new motor vehicle. A trade-in toward a used vehicle does not reduce the taxable price. Several trade-ins can be combined; the price can't go below zero.
- Private sale: Casual (private) sales of motor vehicles are taxable at the clerk of courts title office on the purchase price; even trades, barter and loan assumptions are taxed on fair market value / loan balance. Under-reporting the price is audited by the Department of Taxation.
- Bought in another state: Ohio residents pay Ohio tax at their county rate when titling; credit for sales/use tax legally paid to another state, with proof. If the other state's tax equals or exceeds Ohio's, nothing more is due.
- Local tax: Add the county (permissive) + transit authority rate of the purchaser's county of residence (0.75%-2.50% in Q4 2026; total 6.50%-8.25%). OH.json 'rate' is the local portion only; 'combined_rate' includes the 5.75% state rate. Rates can change only at the start of a calendar quarter.
Exemptions (check the official rule before relying on one)
- Nonresident buyer removing the vehicle immediately (affidavit STEC NR): Not available to residents of the states where Ohio collects tax from nonresidents (AZ, CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, SC per the military section).
- Transfer on death beneficiary:
- Court-ordered, divorce or inheritance transfers with no consideration:
- No disabled-veteran exemption: Ohio has no sales tax exemption for disabled veterans, and the VA automobile grant does not reduce the taxable price.
Dealer fees
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. Ohio sets a maximum documentary fee of $398.00. Lesser of the CPI-adjusted amount ($398 in 2026, $412 in 2027) or 10% of the amount the buyer pays under the contract excluding tax, title, registration and negative equity.
Official tools: Ohio Department of Taxation - The Finder (sales tax rate by address/ZIP) · Ohio BMV county title offices and fees · Ohio BMV documents and fees
Sources
- Ohio Department of Taxation: Sales and Use Tax Rates by County - October 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
- Ohio Department of Taxation: Sales Tax for Motor Vehicles, Watercraft, and Aircraft (Oct 15, 2025)
- Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov): R.C. 4505.09 Fees (certificate of title)
- Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Ohio Department of Public Safety): Documents & Fees (vehicle registration and title fees)
- Ohio Dealer Licensing (BMV): Documentary Service Charge
FAQ
How much is the sales tax on a car in Ohio?
State sales/use tax; plus a local rate of 0.75% to 2.5% by where you live. On a $30,000 used car from a dealer that is $1,950.00–$2,475.00 in tax (estimate).
Does Ohio charge tax on the price minus the trade-in?
ONLY when buying a new motor vehicle. A trade-in toward a used vehicle does not reduce the taxable price. Several trade-ins can be combined; the price can't go below zero.
Do you pay sales tax on a private car sale in Ohio?
Casual (private) sales of motor vehicles are taxable at the clerk of courts title office on the purchase price; even trades, barter and loan assumptions are taxed on fair market value / loan balance. Under-reporting the price is audited by the Department of Taxation.
What if I buy a car in another state and register it in Ohio?
Ohio residents pay Ohio tax at their county rate when titling; credit for sales/use tax legally paid to another state, with proof. If the other state's tax equals or exceeds Ohio's, nothing more is due.
Is there a cap on dealer doc fees in Ohio?
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. Ohio sets a maximum documentary fee of $398.00. Lesser of the CPI-adjusted amount ($398 in 2026, $412 in 2027) or 10% of the amount the buyer pays under the contract excluding tax, title, registration and negative equity.