California car sales tax calculator
California’s law sets a maximum for the document processing charge of $70.00 (its words: “shall not exceed”). A different figure applies in some deals.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 10, 2026 · Page changed Oct 11, 2026
Where will you register the car?
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, California. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $610.24a month | $41,614.61+$600.71 more than Deal C | |
| $551.01a month | $44,672.82+$3,658.92 more than Deal C | |
| $600.23a month | $41,013.90Lowest |
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Your numbers stay in this browser.
$610.24 a month · 60 payments
All-in $41,614.61
$551.01 a month · 72 payments
All-in $44,672.82
$600.23 a month · 60 payments
All-in $41,013.90Lowest
Out-the-door $36,641.21
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $37,410.45
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $37,250.59
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
New · 2026 · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current or next model year
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay more in some states
Tires
Four tires and a spare. Change it if your car has no spare
Registration
A new car is registered for the first time
Registered where a smog check is due
Your county is on DMV’s list of smog check counties, so a newer car pays the smog abatement fee instead
Dealer program
Up to $85 for dealers in the DMV’s partner program, $70 otherwise
Service contract required for the sale
Optional contracts are the norm; a required one is taxed in California
New · 2026 · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current or next model year
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay more in some states
Tires
Four tires and a spare. Change it if your car has no spare
Registration
A new car is registered for the first time
Registered where a smog check is due
Your county is on DMV’s list of smog check counties, so a newer car pays the smog abatement fee instead
Dealer program
Up to $85 for dealers in the DMV’s partner program, $70 otherwise
Service contract required for the sale
Optional contracts are the norm; a required one is taxed in California
New · 2026 · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current or next model year
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay more in some states
Tires
Four tires and a spare. Change it if your car has no spare
Registration
A new car is registered for the first time
Registered where a smog check is due
Your county is on DMV’s list of smog check counties, so a newer car pays the smog abatement fee instead
Dealer program
Up to $85 for dealers in the DMV’s partner program, $70 otherwise
Service contract required for the sale
Optional contracts are the norm; a required one is taxed in California
$85.00: the most California law allows (“shall not exceed”).
California calls it a document processing charge.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
$85.00: the most California law allows (“shall not exceed”).
California calls it a document processing charge.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
$85.00: the most California law allows (“shall not exceed”).
California calls it a document processing charge.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Using the highest charges in this area; they may be up to $1.00 less.
Using the highest charges in this area; they may be up to $1.00 less.
Using the highest charges in this area; they may be up to $1.00 less.
- No weight fee on a passenger car in California.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No lien-recording fee in DMV’s fee schedule.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No weight fee on a passenger car in California.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No lien-recording fee in DMV’s fee schedule.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No weight fee on a passenger car in California.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No lien-recording fee in DMV’s fee schedule.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,941.21 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,058.79 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $4,015.45 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $984.55 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $4,000.59 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $999.41 goes toward the price.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
60 payments, last $610.45
72 payments, last $551.11
60 payments, last $600.33
cash down plus every payment
+$600.71 more all-in than Deal C
cash down plus every payment
+$3,658.92 more all-in than Deal C
cash down plus every payment
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
4 charges this total leaves out
4 charges this total leaves out
4 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in California
California calls it the sales tax.
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
A trade-in does not lower the amount taxed.
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed.
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
California’s law sets a maximum for the document processing charge of $70.00 (its words: “shall not exceed”). A different figure applies in some deals.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
The tax follows the address where the car is registered, not the dealer’s location: the state rate plus the district taxes there.
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Worked examples
Each line below is worked by the same engine as the calculator, on the day this page was built (Nov 11, 2026).
A new car with a trade-in and negative equity
A new car at $32,700.00, with a trade-in allowed at $10,000.00 and $13,000.00 still owed, $5,000.00 down, financed at 5.90% for 60 months, bought from a dealer and registered in California’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $32,700.00 |
| Trade-in allowance | $10,000.00 |
| Still owed on the trade-in | $13,000.00 |
| Equity (negative if you owe more than it is worth) | −$3,000.00 |
| Taxable amount cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $32,785.00 |
| Sales tax (state and district) cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $3,360.46 |
| Doc fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $85.00 |
| Registration fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $76.00 |
| California Highway Patrol fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $34.00 |
| Vehicle license fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $213.00 |
| Transportation improvement fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $132.00 |
| County and district fees dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $11.00 |
| Smog abatement fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $20.00 |
| Reflectorized license plate fee codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $1.00 |
| California tire fee cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 10, 2026 | $8.75 |
| Out-the-door price | $36,641.21 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $34,641.21 |
| Monthly payment | $668.10 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,444.98 |
| Total paid, interest included | $45,086.19 |
A used car from a dealer
A used car, model year 2022, at $21,500.00, $5,000.00 down, financed at 5.90% for 60 months, bought from a dealer and registered in California’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Taxable amount cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $21,585.00 |
| Sales tax (state and district) cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $2,212.46 |
| Doc fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $85.00 |
| Registration fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $0.00 |
| California Highway Patrol fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $0.00 |
| Vehicle license fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $0.00 |
| Transportation improvement fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $0.00 |
| County and district fees dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $0.00 |
| Smog abatement fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $0.00 |
| Transfer fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $15.00 |
| California tire fee cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 10, 2026 | $0.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $23,812.46 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $18,812.46 |
| Monthly payment | $362.82 |
| Interest over the loan | $2,956.99 |
| Total paid, interest included | $26,769.45 |
The rules in California
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | sales tax cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Sales tax (state and district) | a local rate set by the buyer’s place, on the taxable amount cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| What is taxed | Taxed: the vehicle price, the doc fee, other dealer fees on the order, accessories fitted before delivery, protection packages and loose items sold with the car. Not taxed: GAP and government fees. Depends on the deal: service contracts and prepaid maintenance. cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Trade-in | A trade-in does not lower the amount taxed. cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate does not lower the amount taxed. cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount lowers the amount taxed. cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed. cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets a maximum for the document processing charge of $70.00 (its words: “shall not exceed”). A different figure applies in some deals. dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Registration fee | $76.00 a year dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| California Highway Patrol fee | $34.00 a year dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Transfer fee | $15.00. A detail of that point is not confirmed. dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | Use tax at the rate of the buyer’s registration address, paid to the DMV at transfer. Transfer fees are due within 10 days. cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Family transfers | A transfer to or from a spouse or registered domestic partner, parent, child, grandparent or grandchild is exempt. Siblings are exempt only if both are under 18. cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Bought out of state | Use tax is due if the car is first used in California, or is brought in within 12 months and the buyer lives, registers or uses it there more than half the time. dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | A credit for sales or use tax paid to another state or DC, capped at the California tax due. None for tax paid to a foreign country or territory. dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| New resident | No use tax if the car was bought more than 12 months before it entered California. Full registration fees and a $28 nonresident service fee are due, and a smog certificate. cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
What has changed
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
Is California car sales tax based on where I buy or where I register?
Where you register. The tax is the state’s 7.25% plus the district taxes of the address where the car is registered, not of the dealer’s location. City district taxes apply only inside incorporated limits, and several district taxes can stack. The tax department looks the rate up by address, and district rates can change at the start of a quarter, so the rate for your address on the day you buy is the one that counts.
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Does California give a trade-in tax credit?
No. The allowance for your trade-in cannot be excluded from the amount tax is based on. In the state’s own example, a $20,000 car with a $4,000 trade-in is taxed on $20,000. The trade-in is not deducted for the vehicle license fee either.
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Do rebates lower California sales tax on a car?
A maker’s rebate does not. It is taxed as part of the selling price, whether the dealer applies it or it is paid to you directly, and it is not deducted for the vehicle license fee either. A discount the dealer gives off the price does lower the taxable amount.
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is the most a California dealer can charge as a doc fee?
The state sets a maximum on the document processing charge: $85 if the dealer has a contract with the DMV as a private industry partner, and $70 if not. It is not a government fee, and in California it is taxed along with the rest of the selling price.
dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
cdtfa.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
How much can a California dealer mark up my interest rate?
California’s Civil Code 2982.10 limits the dealer’s share of the finance charge when it assigns your contract to a lender: 2.5 percentage points of APR on a contract of 60 monthly payments or less, and 2 points on a longer one. Exceptions include a full-recourse assignment, a contract assigned more than 6 months after it was made, motorcycles and off-highway vehicles. We have not confirmed the current text on the state’s official site, so treat these figures as unconfirmed.
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 2, 2026
What does the CARS Act change for California car buyers?
As we read SB 766, the CARS Act, from October 1, 2026 a dealer may not charge for add-on products that would not benefit the buyer, such as nitrogen-filled tires with less than 95% nitrogen purity. A used car priced at $50,000 or less gets a 3-day right to cancel, with a restocking fee of 1.5% (at least $200, at most $600). It does not change the tax, the fees or the doc fee. We have not confirmed the final text on the state’s official site, so treat these details as unconfirmed.
apcp.assembly.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026