How to Figure Sales Tax on Vehicles

Most states levy either a sales tax or a use tax on vehicle purchases. The sales tax on a vehicle is the vehicle base amount multiplied by the applicable sales or use tax rate. These two figures will vary depending on where you're registering the vehicle and who you purchased it from.

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Consider Also:Tax Deductions for Business Travel Expenses: What You Need to Know

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State and Municipality Sales Tax

States generally levy a sales tax on vehicles purchased from a dealership and use tax on vehicles purchased from private parties or brought in from another state. To understand your tax liability, determine the tax rate for the city or county where you plan to register the vehicle. Keep in mind that many municipalities, cities and counties charge a rate that's different from the primary state tax rate.

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You can find out your rate by visiting your state's Department of Revenue or your local tax assessment website and searching for sales tax or use tax. Alternatively, you can use a sales tax look-up program, like this one offered by GeoTax.com, to determine your local sales tax rate.

Some states – like Oregon, Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire and Montana – don't charge any sales or use tax at all, reports CNBC. That means you won't pay any sales tax on a vehicle you purchase and register in these states.

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Consider Also:Sales Tax Deduction: How to Write Off & How Much On Your Federal Taxes

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Base Amount for the Tax

New Cars and Trade-Ins

Check your state's Department of Revenue or Department of Treasury website and review its vehicle tax policies. Not all states use a car's sales price as the base amount for sales tax.

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For example, California charges sales tax on the purchase price of a new car. However, Washington bases the sales tax on the car's fair market value, if that's different than the car's purchase price.

If you traded-in a car to the dealer when you bought a new one, some states may offer you a trade-in credit for the value of the vehicle that you gave up.

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Consider Also:IRS2Go Mobile App: Track Your Return & More

Tax Base for Used Cars

When you're reviewing your states' rules, note any differences for used cars. The tax base for a used car is sometimes calculated differently than it is for new cars.

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For example, Texas bases the sales tax on the sales price if you paid ​80 percent​ or more of the vehicle's standard presumptive value, which is a figure determined by the state. Otherwise, the base used for the sales tax is the car's certified appraised value, or ​80 percent​ of the standard presumptive value.

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Tax Base for Gifted Cars

Some, but not all, states allow a tax exemption for vehicles that are gifted. A car recipient in California, for example, can avoid tax on a gifted car by filling out the Statement of Use Tax Exemption Form. You can find out about tax exemptions from your state revenue website.

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