Texas Car Sales Tax Calculator
Texas charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 6.25% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $1,250.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if Texas allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Texas’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6.25%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Texas car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Texas gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Texas 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 Texas taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 6.25% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
Texas title fee is $33 (varies slightly by county). State motor vehicle sales/use tax is 6.25% of sale price or Standard Presumptive Value (SPV), whichever is higher. Annual passenger registration is $51.75 plus county fees.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Texas state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Texas 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 Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).
Official Texas source
↗Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV)www.txdmv.govRelated Texas tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Texas?
The Texas state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6.25%. 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 Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Texas?
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 Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).
Does Texas 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 Texas's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Texas?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Texas state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice