Car sales tax in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania: State sales tax (6%); plus a local rate of 1% to 2% by where you live.
On a $30,000 used car from a dealer with no trade-in, the tax is $2,100.00–$2,400.00 and all taxes and government fees come to about $2,220.00–$2,525.00.
Trade-in: a $10,000 trade-in lowers the tax by $700.00–$800.00. Private sale ($15,000): tax $1,050.00–$1,200.00.
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 Pennsylvania · Different situation?
Every line on a $30,000 dealer purchase
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| State sales tax (6%) | State & local tax | $1,800.00 | PennDOT |
| Local sales tax | State & local tax | $300.00–$600.00 | PennDOT |
| Certificate of title | Title | $72.00 | PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
| Passenger vehicle registration (1 year, standard plate included) | Registration & plates | $48.00 | PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
| County Fee for Local Use (participating counties only) | Registration & plates | $0.00–$5.00 | PennDOT |
How Pennsylvania taxes a car purchase
- Trade-in: Tax is on the price minus the value of the vehicle the seller takes in trade (dealer or private seller who takes a trade).
- Private sale: Tax is due on the price paid, collected by the PennDOT agent on Form MV-4ST. If the reported price is substantially below fair market value, the Department of Revenue may review it and bill tax on fair market value unless the buyer documents the lower price.
- Bought in another state: PA residents titling a car bought in another state owe PA tax less a credit for sales tax paid to a reciprocal state (REV-227 lists them). The credit can't exceed the PA rate (6%, 7% Allegheny, 8% Philadelphia). No credit for DE's registration fee; several states (e.g. NC, SC, IA, OK) are non-reciprocal for vehicles.
- Local tax: Only two local add-ons exist, by law: +1% for Allegheny County residents (7% total) and +2% for City of Philadelphia residents (8% total). Based on the buyer's residence.
Exemptions (check the official rule before relying on one)
- Gift with no consideration (Exemption 13): Requires Form MV-13ST signed by all transferors and transferees.
- Lien assumption is taxable: Taking over the seller's loan is consideration; tax is due on the lien amount assumed.
- Sole proprietorship to owner: Exempt; other transfers between related businesses are generally taxed on fair market value.
- Other exemption codes: MV-4ST/MV-1 list exemption reason codes 1 through 26 on the back of the form; we don't apply them automatically.
Dealer fees
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. Pennsylvania sets a maximum documentary fee of $490.00. 2026 maximum documentary fee for dealers that process registrations electronically ($409 if non-electronic). Dealer charge, not a state fee; negotiable; non-taxable. Adjusted yearly by CPI.
Official tools: PennDOT fee schedule (Form MV-70S) · REV-227 sales tax credit chart (out-of-state tax credit)
Sources
- PennDOT: Fact sheet: Buying or Selling Your Vehicle in Pennsylvania (Feb 2025)
- PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles: MV-70S Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees (4-26)
- PennDOT: Fact sheet: Fee for Local Use - Participating Counties (Aug 2026)
- PA Department of Revenue: Motor Vehicle Understated Value Program
- PA Department of Revenue: REV-227 Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax Credit Chart (updated 2026-09-12)
- PennDOT: Form MV-13ST Affidavit of Gift
- PennDOT: Fact sheet: Instructions for Completing Form MV-4ST
- PA Department of State, State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons: Documentary preparation fee limits (notice dated 01/13/2026)
FAQ
How much is the sales tax on a car in Pennsylvania?
State sales tax (6%); plus a local rate of 1% to 2% by where you live. On a $30,000 used car from a dealer that is $2,100.00–$2,400.00 in tax (estimate).
Does Pennsylvania charge tax on the price minus the trade-in?
Tax is on the price minus the value of the vehicle the seller takes in trade (dealer or private seller who takes a trade).
Do you pay sales tax on a private car sale in Pennsylvania?
Tax is due on the price paid, collected by the PennDOT agent on Form MV-4ST. If the reported price is substantially below fair market value, the Department of Revenue may review it and bill tax on fair market value unless the buyer documents the lower price.
What if I buy a car in another state and register it in Pennsylvania?
PA residents titling a car bought in another state owe PA tax less a credit for sales tax paid to a reciprocal state (REV-227 lists them). The credit can't exceed the PA rate (6%, 7% Allegheny, 8% Philadelphia). No credit for DE's registration fee; several states (e.g. NC, SC, IA, OK) are non-reciprocal for vehicles.
Is there a cap on dealer doc fees in Pennsylvania?
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. Pennsylvania sets a maximum documentary fee of $490.00. 2026 maximum documentary fee for dealers that process registrations electronically ($409 if non-electronic). Dealer charge, not a state fee; negotiable; non-taxable. Adjusted yearly by CPI.