Updated October 2026

Car Sales Tax by State (2026) + Calculator

State taxes on a car purchase range from nothing in Alaska, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon (for used cars) to 7% or more in a few states, before local taxes. Several states use a title fee, excise tax or highway use tax instead of a sales tax.

Tap any state on the map to read car sales tax for that state, or sort the table to compare them.

This guide to car sales tax covers all 50 states and DC, with a map, a sortable table and a page for each state.

Look up a state

7% or more (5) 6% to 6.99% (19) 4% to 5.99% (20) Under 4% (4) No state tax (3)

Want the exact amount? Use the car sales tax calculator →

Car sales tax: all states

State	State rate	Type	Trade-in deducted	Local tax
Alabama	2%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Alaska	None	No state sales tax	Yes	Yes
Arizona	5.6%	Transaction privilege tax	Yes	Yes
Arkansas	6.5%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
California	7.25%	Sales tax	No	Yes
Colorado	2.9%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Connecticut	6.35%	Sales tax	Yes	No
Delaware	5.25%	Document fee	Yes	No
District of Columbia	6%	Excise tax	No	No
Florida	6%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Georgia	7%	Title ad valorem tax (TAVT)	Yes	No
Hawaii	4%	General excise tax	No	Yes
Idaho	6%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Illinois	6.25%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Indiana	7%	Sales tax	Yes	No
Iowa	5%	One-time registration fee	Yes	No
Kansas	6.5%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Kentucky	6%	Motor vehicle usage tax	Limited	No
Louisiana	5%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Maine	5.5%	Sales tax	Yes	No
Maryland	6.5%	Titling excise tax	Limited	No
Massachusetts	6.25%	Sales tax	Yes	No
Michigan	6%	Sales tax	Limited	No
Minnesota	6.875%	Motor vehicle sales tax	Yes	Yes
Mississippi	5%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Missouri	4.225%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Montana	None	No sales tax	Yes	No
Nebraska	5.5%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Nevada	6.85%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
New Hampshire	None	No sales tax	Yes	No
New Jersey	6.625%	Sales tax	Yes	No
New Mexico	4%	Motor vehicle excise tax	Yes	No
New York	4%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
North Carolina	3%	Highway use tax	Yes	No
North Dakota	5%	Motor vehicle excise tax	Yes	No
Ohio	5.75%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Oklahoma	4.5%	Excise and sales tax	Yes	No
Oregon	0.5%	Vehicle privilege tax	No	No
Pennsylvania	6%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Rhode Island	7%	Sales tax	Yes	No
South Carolina	5%	Infrastructure maintenance fee	Yes	No
South Dakota	4%	Motor vehicle excise tax	Yes	No
Tennessee	7%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Texas	6.25%	Motor vehicle sales tax	Yes	No
Utah	4.85%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Vermont	6%	Purchase and use tax	Yes	No
Virginia	4.15%	Motor vehicle sales and use tax	No	No
Washington	6.8%	Sales tax + motor vehicle tax	Yes	Yes
West Virginia	6%	Privilege tax	Yes	No
Wisconsin	5%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes
Wyoming	4%	Sales tax	Yes	Yes

Map of car sales tax by state in 2026: 5 7% or more, 19 6% to 6.99%, 20 4% to 5.99%, 4 under 4%, 3 no state tax — Car sales tax in all 50 states and DC, October 2026.

Trade-ins can lower your tax

Most states only tax the difference between the new car's price and your trade-in. A $5,000 trade-in at a 6% rate saves $300. California, Hawaii, Virginia and a few others tax the full price.

What the calculator includes

Our calculator uses the state-level rate and lets you add your local rate. Dealer fees, title and registration fees and rebates vary, so add them separately for an out-the-door estimate.

How regions differ on car sales tax

By census region, car sales tax break down this way:

The sortable table lists car sales tax with a link to each state guide.

Midwest: 1 7% or more, 4 6% to 6.99%, 7 4% to 5.99%.
Northeast: 1 7% or more, 5 6% to 6.99%, 2 4% to 5.99%, 1 no state tax.
South: 2 7% or more, 7 6% to 6.99%, 6 4% to 5.99%, 2 under 4%.
West: 1 7% or more, 3 6% to 6.99%, 5 4% to 5.99%, 2 under 4%, 2 no state tax.

The higher and lower states on car sales tax

At the higher end are California (7.25%), Georgia (7%), Indiana (7%) and Rhode Island (7%).

The lower states are New Hampshire (None), Montana (None), Alaska (None) and Oregon (0.5%).

Each state guide explains car sales tax in more detail, with nearby states and practical tips.

What changed lately in car sales tax

Jan 2026 — Washington: New 8% luxury tax on the part of a vehicle's value above $100,000.
Oct 2025 — Delaware: Vehicle document fee rose from 4.25% to 5.25%.

FAQ: car sales tax

Which states have no sales tax on vehicles?

Alaska (no state tax, but some local tax), Montana and New Hampshire have no sales tax on vehicles. Oregon only taxes new vehicles at 0.5%, and Delaware charges a document fee instead.

Which state has the highest car sales tax?

At the state level, California (7.25%), Indiana, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Georgia (7%) are among the highest. With local taxes, totals in parts of California, Washington and Louisiana can exceed 10%.

Is sales tax charged on used vehicles?

In the majority of states, yes, at the same rate as new vehicles. Some states use a minimum value or a different rate for private-party sales.

How do I confirm car sales tax for my state?

Open your state from the table or map; each state page links to the official sources and shows the review date.

How often do car sales tax change?

Most updates take effect on January 1 or July 1 after a legislative session; we review the data at least twice a year and show the date on every page.

Car sales tax: all states

Trade-ins can lower your tax

What the calculator includes

How regions differ on car sales tax

The higher and lower states on car sales tax

What changed lately in car sales tax

FAQ: car sales tax

Which states have no sales tax on vehicles?

Which state has the highest car sales tax?

Is sales tax charged on used vehicles?

How do I confirm car sales tax for my state?

How often do car sales tax change?

More rules by state