United States · State DMV costs
Vehicle sales tax, title and registration fees.
Pick your state, enter the price and your trade-in, and see the tax, title fee and base registration fee the statute sets, plus how that state treats a trade-in.
Trade-in rules differ. Texas, Florida and Kansas tax only the price after the trade-in. Virginia taxes the full price with no trade-in deduction and charges at least $75. This tool covers these four states and will grow as more are verified against primary sources.
Your purchase
Your estimate
How the estimate works
Tax = (price − trade-in allowance, where the state allows it) × the state rate, plus any local rate you enter. Total = tax + title fee + base registration fee. Nothing is sent anywhere and nothing is stored.
Worked example: $30,000 car, $8,000 trade-in
- Texas: ($30,000 − $8,000) × 6.25% = $1,375.00, plus $28 title and $50.75 registration = $1,453.75.
- Virginia: $30,000 × 4.15% = $1,245.00 (no trade-in deduction), plus $10 title and $27.25 registration = $1,282.25.
- Florida with a 1% county surtax: $22,000 × 6% = $1,320, plus 1% of the first $5,000 = $50, plus $70 title and $14.50 registration = $1,454.50.
Rules and sources (verified October 2, 2026)
- Texas: 6.25% of total consideration, Tax Code 152.021(b); a trade-in vehicle's value is excluded, Tax Code 152.002(b)(5); title $28, or $33 in nonattainment or affected counties, Transportation Code 501.138; base registration $50.75 for cars and light trucks, TxDMV.
- Virginia: 4.15% of the sale price with a $75 minimum, Va. Code 58.1-2402; sale price is computed "without any allowance or deduction for trade-ins," 58.1-2401; title $10, 46.2-627; registration $23 (4,000 lb or less) or $28 (over 4,000 lb) plus a $4.25 emergency medical services fee, 46.2-694.
- Florida: 6% of the sales price, s. 212.05(1)(a); trade-ins are not part of the sales price, s. 212.02; the county surtax applies only to the first $5,000, s. 212.054; title $70, s. 319.32; registration $14.50, $22.50 or $32.50 by net weight for cars, s. 320.08(2).
- Kansas: 6.5% state rate, K.S.A. 79-3603; trade-in allowance is excluded from the taxed amount, K.S.A. 79-3602. Local rates and fees are entered by you.
Not included: plate, county, processing and inspection fees, Florida's $225 initial registration fee for vehicles new to the state, Virginia local license fees, rebates, and fees set by value or weight beyond those listed. Local rates are inputs because they change by address.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay sales tax on the trade-in value?
It depends on the state. Texas, Florida and Kansas tax only the difference between the price and your trade-in allowance. Virginia does not allow the deduction, so you pay tax on the full price.
Is there a minimum tax in Virginia?
Yes. The motor vehicle sales and use tax is 4.15% of the sale price but not less than $75 under Va. Code 58.1-2402, except for exempt transactions.
Does Texas have local sales tax on a car?
No. The motor vehicle tax is a flat 6.25% under Tax Code 152.021. Counties add registration fees, but not a percentage tax.
Why is the Florida county surtax limited?
Florida's discretionary sales surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of a single item, so on a car it adds at most 5,000 times your county rate.
Why are Kansas fees blank?
Kansas registration depends on weight and county services, and this tool only preloads figures checked against a primary statute or agency page. Enter your treasurer's quote.
Is the result exact?
No. It is an estimate of the statutory taxes and base fees. Your dealer or county office adds plate, processing and local charges, so use their final paperwork.
Cite this page: TNAADO Tools, "Vehicle Sales Tax, Title and Registration Fee Calculator," tools.tnaado.ca/us/us-vehicle-sales-tax-title-registration-calculator.html, as of October 2, 2026. Primary sources are linked above.
Estimate only
This page is educational, not tax or legal advice. Rates and fees change, so confirm with your state revenue department or motor vehicle agency before you buy.