Arizona Car Sales Tax Calculator
Arizona charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 5.60% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $1,120.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if Arizona allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Arizona’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 5.60%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Arizona car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Arizona gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Arizona counties and cities add a local sales tax on top, so your actual total may be higher. Trade-in credit rules vary — confirm eligibility with the official source below.
How Arizona taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 5.60% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
Arizona charges a $4 title fee, $8 registration fee, and $1.50 air-quality research fee, plus an annual Vehicle License Tax (VLT) based on a depreciated value of the vehicle. Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT, 5.6% state) applies on dealer sales; private-party sales are generally not subject to state TPT.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Arizona state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Arizona registration and title-transfer calculators for those.
- Dealer documentation fees. A dealer “doc fee” is charged on top and is often itself taxable.
- Exemptions. Gifts, inheritance, and certain family transfers may be exempt — confirm with Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).
Official Arizona source
↗Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)azdot.govRelated Arizona tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Arizona?
The Arizona state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 5.60%. Multiply it by the taxable purchase price (usually the price minus any trade-in credit). Counties and cities may add a local sales tax on top, so confirm your combined rate with Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Arizona?
In most states, sales or use tax on a private-party vehicle purchase is collected when you title and register the car, not at the point of sale. The rate is generally the same as a dealer sale. Confirm the private-sale rules with Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).
Does Arizona give a sales tax credit for a trade-in?
Most states tax only the difference between the vehicle price and your trade-in value, which lowers the tax you owe. A handful of states tax the full price with no trade-in credit. Verify Arizona's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Arizona?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Arizona state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice