Texas car sales tax calculator
Sales tax on a car in Texas is 6.25%, charged on the price after your trade-in. Add title, registration and plate fees to get the real out-the-door cost. Updated 2026-10-26.
Texas car tax, title & registration calculator
Estimate based on Texas rules checked 2026-10-26. Your dealer or county office has the final figure.
How car sales tax works in Texas
- Texas charges a 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on the sales price minus any trade-in allowance. There is no extra city or county rate on cars.
- Dealers collect the tax and send it to the county tax assessor-collector. In a private sale the buyer pays it at the county tax office when titling the car (Form 130-U), within 30 days of the sale.
- Private-party sales are taxed on the higher of the price paid or 80% of the vehicle's standard presumptive value (SPV). A certified appraisal can establish a lower value.
- Other flat taxes: $90 new resident tax (instead of use tax on a car already registered in your name in another state), $5 on an even exchange of two vehicles, $10 on a gift from a qualifying relative.
- Late payment adds a penalty of 5% if paid 1–30 days late, 10% after 30 days.
Examples: what you pay on a car in Texas
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 | $2,187.50 | $128.50 | $2,316.00 |
| New car with a $10,000 trade-in | $35,000 | $1,562.50 | $128.50 | $1,691.00 |
| Used car from a private seller | $15,000 | $937.50 | $128.50 | $1,066.00 |
Title and registration fees in Texas
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title application fee | $33 or $28 | $33 in nonattainment/affected (emissions) counties such as Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Travis, Bexar; $28 elsewhere. Title within 30 days of sale. |
| Registration transfer fee | $2.50 | When the current registration stays with the car |
| Base registration (cars and pickups up to 6,000 lbs) | $50.75 | $54 for pickups 6,001–10,000 lbs |
| TexasSure insurance verification | $1 | |
| County local fees | $0–$31.50 | County fees range $0–$31.50 (road & bridge up to $10, transportation projects up to $20, child safety up to $1.50). |
| State inspection fee | $7.50 | Collected with the registration |
| Processing and handling | $4.75 | |
| Electric vehicle fee | $200 / year | $400 for a new EV's first two years; not charged on hybrids |
More detail: Texas car registration fees · Texas title transfer cost
Texas sets no fixed cap on dealer documentary fees; compare the fee on your buyer's order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the car sales tax rate in Texas?
6.25%. Texas charges a 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on the sales price minus any trade-in allowance. There is no extra city or county rate on cars.
How much is tax, title and license on a $35,000 car in Texas?
About $2,316 for a new car bought from a dealer with no trade-in: $2,187.50 in sales tax and $128.50 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 Texas?
Yes. Texas taxes the price after the trade-in allowance when the dealer takes your old car in the same sale. A $10,000 trade-in saves $625 in tax.
Do you pay sales tax on a private car sale in Texas?
Yes. Tax on the higher of the price paid or 80% of the standard presumptive value (SPV), unless a certified appraisal shows a lower value.
Other states
Sources
Rates and fees checked on 2026-10-26. Official pages for Texas:
- Texas Comptroller — Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax
- TxDMV — Register your vehicle (fees)
- texas.public.law — tex._tax_code_section_152.0412
- codes.findlaw.com — transp-sect-501-138
- tarrantcountytx.gov — title-fees.html
- txdmv.gov — buying-or-selling-a-vehicle
Spotted an outdated number? Email hi@carsalestax.com — corrections are checked against the official source and published within a few days.