California car sales tax calculator
Sales tax on a car in California is 7.25%–11.75% depending on where you live, charged on the full price — a trade-in does not lower it. Add title, registration and plate fees to get the real out-the-door cost. Updated 2026-10-26.
Sales tax rate
7.25%–11.75%
state + local
Trade-in credit
No
full price is taxed
Tax + fees on a $35,000 car
$4,165
Los Angeles, new, no trade-in
California car tax, title & registration calculator
Total due at signing (before any loan)
— Estimate based on California rules checked 2026-10-26. Your dealer or county office has the final figure.
How car sales tax works in California
- California's statewide sales tax is 7.25%, and district taxes push the total to between 7.25% and 11.75%. The rate that counts is the one at the address where the car will be registered, not where the dealer is.
- A trade-in does not reduce the tax: the trade-in allowance stays in the taxable amount (CDTFA Regulation 1654). This is one of the biggest differences from most other states.
- The dealer's document processing fee is taxable too.
- Buying from a private seller, you pay use tax at your local rate to the DMV when you transfer the title.
Examples: what you pay on a car in California
Registered in Los Angeles. Dealer documentation fee left out (it varies by dealer).
| Purchase | Price | Sales tax | Title, registration & plates | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New car from a dealer | $35,000 | $3,587.50 | $577.50 | $4,165.00 |
| New car with a $10,000 trade-in | $35,000 | $3,587.50 | $577.50 | $4,165.00 |
| Used car from a private seller | $15,000 | $1,537.50 | $308.50 | $1,846.00 |
Car sales tax by city and county
Combined rate at the registration address, effective October 1, 2026 (CDTFA). 541 cities and unincorporated areas.
Show all 541 rates
| Place | Rate | Tax on $30,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 11.75% | $3,525 |
| Palmdale | 11.75% | $3,525 |
| Santa Fe Springs | 11.5% | $3,450 |
| Azusa | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Bell Gardens | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Calabasas | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| City of Commerce | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Compton | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Covina | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Culver City | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Gardena | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Glendora | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Irwindale | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Lynwood | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Pico Rivera | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| San Marino | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Santa Monica | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| South El Monte | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| South Gate | 11.25% | $3,375 |
| Alhambra | 11% | $3,300 |
| Arcadia | 11% | $3,300 |
| Artesia | 11% | $3,300 |
| Baldwin Park | 11% | $3,300 |
| Bellflower | 11% | $3,300 |
| Burbank | 11% | $3,300 |
| Carson | 11% | $3,300 |
| Cudahy | 11% | $3,300 |
| Downey | 11% | $3,300 |
| Duarte | 11% | $3,300 |
| El Monte | 11% | $3,300 |
| Glendale | 11% | $3,300 |
| Hawaiian Gardens | 11% | $3,300 |
| Hawthorne | 11% | $3,300 |
| Huntington Park | 11% | $3,300 |
| La Cañada Flintridge | 11% | $3,300 |
| La Verne | 11% | $3,300 |
| Lakewood | 11% | $3,300 |
| Lawndale | 11% | $3,300 |
| Lomita | 11% | $3,300 |
| Long Beach | 11% | $3,300 |
| Monrovia | 11% | $3,300 |
| Montebello | 11% | $3,300 |
| Monterey Park | 11% | $3,300 |
| Norwalk | 11% | $3,300 |
| Paramount | 11% | $3,300 |
| Pasadena | 11% | $3,300 |
| Pomona | 11% | $3,300 |
| San Fernando | 11% | $3,300 |
| San Gabriel | 11% | $3,300 |
| Sierra Madre | 11% | $3,300 |
| Signal Hill | 11% | $3,300 |
| South Pasadena | 11% | $3,300 |
| Temple City | 11% | $3,300 |
| Vernon | 11% | $3,300 |
| West Hollywood | 11% | $3,300 |
| Whittier | 11% | $3,300 |
| Alameda | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Albany | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Avalon | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| El Segundo | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Hayward | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Inglewood | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| La Puente | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Malibu | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Manhattan Beach | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Newark | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Oakland | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| San Leandro | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Torrance | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Union City | 10.75% | $3,225 |
| Campbell | 10.5% | $3,150 |
| Emeryville | 10.5% | $3,150 |
| Sebastopol | 10.5% | $3,150 |
| Agoura Hills | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Alameda County | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Arcata | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Bell | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Berkeley | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Beverly Hills | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Bradbury | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Cerritos | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| City of Industry | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Claremont | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Cotati | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Diamond Bar | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Dublin | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| El Cerrito | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Eureka | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Fremont | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Hermosa Beach | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Hidden Hills | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| La Habra Heights | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| La Mirada | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Livermore | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Los Angeles | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Los Angeles County | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Maywood | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Palos Verdes Estates | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Petaluma | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Piedmont | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Pinole | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Pleasanton | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Rancho Palos Verdes | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Redondo Beach | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Rolling Hills | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Rolling Hills Estates | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Rosemead | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| San Dimas | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Santa Clarita | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Sonoma | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Walnut | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| West Covina | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Westlake Village | 10.25% | $3,075 |
| Cloverdale | 10% | $3,000 |
| Milpitas | 10% | $3,000 |
| San Jose | 10% | $3,000 |
| Santa Rosa | 10% | $3,000 |
| Belmont | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| Brisbane | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| Colma | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| Daly City | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| East Palo Alto | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| Half Moon Bay | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| Los Gatos | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| Pacifica | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| Redwood City | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| San Bruno | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| South San Francisco | 9.875% | $2,963 |
| Antioch | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Blue Lake | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Concord | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Cupertino | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Gilroy | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Healdsburg | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Los Altos | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Los Altos Hills | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Martinez | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Monte Sereno | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Moraga | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Morgan Hill | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Mountain View | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Orinda | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Palo Alto | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Richmond | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Rohnert Park | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| San Ramon | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Santa Clara | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Santa Clara County | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Santa Cruz | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Saratoga | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Scotts Valley | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Sunnyvale | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Watsonville | 9.75% | $2,925 |
| Benicia | 9.625% | $2,888 |
| Burlingame | 9.625% | $2,888 |
| San Mateo | 9.625% | $2,888 |
| Ferndale | 9.5% | $2,850 |
| Fortuna | 9.5% | $2,850 |
| Greenfield | 9.5% | $2,850 |
| Rio Dell | 9.5% | $2,850 |
| San Pablo | 9.5% | $2,850 |
| Santa Cruz County Unincorporated Area | 9.5% | $2,850 |
| Trinidad | 9.5% | $2,850 |
| Atherton | 9.375% | $2,813 |
| Foster City | 9.375% | $2,813 |
| Hillsborough | 9.375% | $2,813 |
| Menlo Park | 9.375% | $2,813 |
| Millbrae | 9.375% | $2,813 |
| Portola Valley | 9.375% | $2,813 |
| San Carlos | 9.375% | $2,813 |
| San Mateo County | 9.375% | $2,813 |
| Woodside | 9.375% | $2,813 |
| Capitola | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Cathedral City | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Chico | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Davis | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Del Rey Oaks | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Fort Bragg | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Galt | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Hercules | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Hollister | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Lafayette | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Larkspur | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Los Alamitos | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Marina | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| McFarland | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Mill Valley | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Monterey | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Novato | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Oroville | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Oxnard | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Pacific Grove | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Palm Springs | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Pittsburg | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Pleasant Hill | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Point Arena | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Porterville | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Ridgecrest | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Salinas | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| San Anselmo | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| San Rafael | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Sand City | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Santa Ana | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Santa Barbara | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Santa Paula | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Sausalito | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Seal Beach | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Seaside | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Soledad | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Sonoma County | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Vallejo | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Walnut Creek | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| West Sacramento | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Westminster | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Windsor | 9.25% | $2,775 |
| Mendota | 9.225% | $2,768 |
| Reedley | 9.225% | $2,768 |
| Rio Vista | 9.125% | $2,738 |
| Suisun City | 9.125% | $2,738 |
| Willits | 9.125% | $2,738 |
| Carpinteria | 9% | $2,700 |
| Corte Madera | 9% | $2,700 |
| Fairfax | 9% | $2,700 |
| Manteca | 9% | $2,700 |
| Montclair | 9% | $2,700 |
| San Juan Bautista | 9% | $2,700 |
| Stockton | 9% | $2,700 |
| Truckee | 9% | $2,700 |
| Clovis | 8.975% | $2,693 |
| Coalinga | 8.975% | $2,693 |
| Fowler | 8.975% | $2,693 |
| Huron | 8.975% | $2,693 |
| Kerman | 8.975% | $2,693 |
| Kingsburg | 8.975% | $2,693 |
| Parlier | 8.975% | $2,693 |
| Grass Valley | 8.875% | $2,663 |
| Modesto | 8.875% | $2,663 |
| Nevada City | 8.875% | $2,663 |
| Ukiah | 8.875% | $2,663 |
| Angels Camp | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Apple Valley | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Arroyo Grande | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Atascadero | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Atwater | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Barstow | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Bishop | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Blythe | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Brawley | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Brentwood | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Buena Park | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Chino | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Chowchilla | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Chula Vista | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Clayton | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Clearlake | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Coachella | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Colton | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Colusa | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Contra Costa County | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Corona | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Danville | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Del Mar | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Desert Hot Springs | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Elk Grove | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Escalon | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Escondido | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Exeter | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Farmersville | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Fontana | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Fountain Valley | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Garden Grove | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Goleta | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Gonzales | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Grover Beach | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Guadalupe | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Hemet | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Humboldt County | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Imperial Beach | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Indio | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Isleton | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| King City | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| La Habra | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| La Palma | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| La Quinta | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Lake Elsinore | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Lakeport | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Lathrop | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Lemon Grove | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Lindsay | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Livingston | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Lompoc | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Los Banos | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Menifee | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Monterey County Unincorporated Area | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Moreno Valley | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Morro Bay | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Murrieta | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Napa | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| National City | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Norco | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Oakley | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Ontario | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Palm Desert | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Paradise | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Paso Robles | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Perris | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Placentia | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Port Hueneme | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Rancho Cordova | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Redlands | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Riverside | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Sacramento | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| San Bernardino | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| San Jacinto | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| San Luis Obispo | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| San Marcos | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Santa Maria | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Solana Beach | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Solvang | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Sonora | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| South Lake Tahoe | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Stanton | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Sutter Creek | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Temecula | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Victorville | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Wildomar | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Willows | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Woodlake | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Yreka | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Yucaipa | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Yucca Valley | 8.75% | $2,625 |
| Sanger | 8.725% | $2,618 |
| San Francisco | 8.625% | $2,588 |
| San Francisco County | 8.625% | $2,588 |
| Turlock | 8.625% | $2,588 |
| Dinuba | 8.5% | $2,550 |
| La Mesa | 8.5% | $2,550 |
| Red Bluff | 8.5% | $2,550 |
| Visalia | 8.5% | $2,550 |
| Selma | 8.475% | $2,543 |
| Ceres | 8.375% | $2,513 |
| Dixon | 8.375% | $2,513 |
| Fairfield | 8.375% | $2,513 |
| Oakdale | 8.375% | $2,513 |
| Fresno | 8.35% | $2,505 |
| Arvin | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Avenal | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Bakersfield | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Belvedere | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Biggs | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Butte County | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Calaveras County | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Calexico | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| California City | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Corcoran | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Crescent City | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Del Norte County Unincorporated Area | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Delano | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Dos Palos | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Dunsmuir | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| El Cajon | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| El Centro | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Gridley | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Gustine | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Hanford | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Kern County Unincorporated Area | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Lemoore | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Lodi | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Madera | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Maricopa | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Marin County | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Mariposa County | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Marysville | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Merced | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Oceanside | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Orland | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Pismo Beach | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Placerville | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Ross | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| San Benito County | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| St. Helena | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Susanville | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Taft | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Tehachapi | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Tiburon | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Tracy | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Tulare | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Vista | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Wasco | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Williams | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Winters | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Yuba County Unincorporated Area | 8.25% | $2,475 |
| Vacaville | 8.125% | $2,438 |
| Amador City | 8% | $2,400 |
| Woodland | 8% | $2,400 |
| Firebaugh | 7.975% | $2,393 |
| Fresno County | 7.975% | $2,393 |
| Orange Cove | 7.975% | $2,393 |
| San Joaquin | 7.975% | $2,393 |
| Hughson | 7.875% | $2,363 |
| Mendocino County | 7.875% | $2,363 |
| Newman | 7.875% | $2,363 |
| Patterson | 7.875% | $2,363 |
| Riverbank | 7.875% | $2,363 |
| Stanislaus County | 7.875% | $2,363 |
| Waterford | 7.875% | $2,363 |
| Adelanto | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Aliso Viejo | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Amador County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| American Canyon | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Anaheim | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Anderson | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Banning | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Beaumont | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Big Bear Lake | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Brea | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Buellton | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Calimesa | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Calipatria | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Calistoga | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Canyon Lake | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Carlsbad | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Chino Hills | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Citrus Heights | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Colusa County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Corning | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Coronado | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Costa Mesa | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Cypress | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Dana Point | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Eastvale | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Encinitas | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Folsom | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Fullerton | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Grand Terrace | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Hesperia | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Highland | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Holtville | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Huntington Beach | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Imperial | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Imperial County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Indian Wells | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Inyo County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Ione | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Irvine | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Jackson | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Jurupa Valley | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Laguna Beach | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Laguna Hills | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Laguna Niguel | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Laguna Woods | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Lake Forest | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Loma Linda | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Madera County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Mammoth Lakes | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Merced County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Mission Viejo | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Mountain House | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Napa County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Needles | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Newport Beach | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Orange | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Orange County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Plymouth | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Poway | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Rancho Mirage | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Rancho Santa Margarita | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Rialto | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Ripon | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Riverside County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Roseville | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Sacramento County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| San Bernardino County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| San Clemente | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| San Diego | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| San Diego County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| San Joaquin County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| San Juan Capistrano | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Santa Barbara County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Santee | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Tulare County | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Tustin | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Twentynine Palms | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Upland | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Ventura | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Villa Park | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Westmorland | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Wheatland | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Yorba Linda | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Yountville | 7.75% | $2,325 |
| Loomis | 7.5% | $2,250 |
| Mount Shasta | 7.5% | $2,250 |
| Nevada County | 7.5% | $2,250 |
| Weed | 7.5% | $2,250 |
| Solano County | 7.375% | $2,213 |
| Alpine County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Alturas | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Auburn | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Camarillo | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Colfax | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Dorris | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| El Dorado County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Etna | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Fillmore | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Fort Jones | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Glenn County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Kings County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Lake County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Lassen County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Lincoln | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Live Oak | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Loyalton | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Modoc County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Mono County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Montague | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Moorpark | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Ojai | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Placer County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Plumas County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Portola | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Redding | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Rocklin | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| San Luis Obispo County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Shafter | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Shasta County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Shasta Lake | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Sierra County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Simi Valley | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Siskiyou County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Sutter County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Tehama | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Tehama County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Thousand Oaks | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Trinity County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Tulelake | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Tuolumne County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Ventura County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Yolo County | 7.25% | $2,175 |
| Yuba City | 7.25% | $2,175 |
Title and registration fees in California
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | $15 | |
| Smog transfer fee | $8 | Charged on transfers of vehicles four or fewer model years old (they skip the smog check). |
| Title only / paper title | $28 | |
| Registration fee | $76 | |
| California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee | $34 | |
| Vehicle license fee (VLF) | 0.65% of value | 0.65% of the purchase price (or value); it declines over the first 11 renewal years. |
| Transportation improvement fee | $33 / $66 / $132 / $198 / $231 | By vehicle value: under $5,000; $5,000–$24,999; $25,000–$34,999; $35,000–$59,999; $60,000+ |
| Smog abatement fee | $20 | Paid each year by vehicles in their first eight model years instead of a smog check. |
| Road improvement fee (zero-emission vehicles) | $121 | Model year 2020+ zero-emission vehicles, at renewal and at original registration except a new ZEV first registered by a dealer. |
| County/district fees | varies | A few dollars in most counties; not included in the calculator |
More detail: California car registration fees · California title transfer cost
Dealers that are DMV private industry partners may charge up to $85 for document processing; other dealers up to $70. The fee is taxable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the car sales tax rate in California?
7.25% to 11.75% depending on where you live. California's statewide sales tax is 7.25%, and district taxes push the total to between 7.25% and 11.75%. The rate that counts is the one at the address where the car will be registered, not where the dealer is.
How much is tax, title and license on a $35,000 car in California?
About $4,165 for a new car bought from a dealer with no trade-in: $3,587.50 in sales tax and $577.50 in title, registration and plate fees (dealer fee not included). Use the calculator above for your county, trade-in and vehicle.
Does a trade-in lower the sales tax in California?
No. The trade-in allowance stays in the taxable amount (CDTFA Regulation 1654(b)(1)).
Do you pay sales tax on a private car sale in California?
Yes. Use tax at the registration-address rate is paid to the DMV when the title is transferred.
Other states
Sources
Rates and fees checked on 2026-10-26. Official pages for California:
- California DMV — Registration fees
- CDTFA — Sales and use tax rates by city and county
- cdtfa.ca.gov — 1654.html
- cdtfa.ca.gov — 140-0500.pdf
- atrn.assembly.ca.gov — SB 1249 (Archuleta).pdf
Spotted an outdated number? Email hi@carsalestax.com — corrections are checked against the official source and published within a few days.