New Jersey car sales tax calculator
The sales and use tax in New Jersey is 6.625% of the taxable amount.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 3, 2026 · Page changed Oct 12, 2026
Where will you register the car?
New Jersey
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, New Jersey. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $581.87a month | $39,911.92so far | |
| $525.52a month | $42,837.18so far | |
| $571.06a month | $39,263.87so far |
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.
$581.87 a month · 60 payments
All-in $39,911.92 so far
$525.52 a month · 72 payments
All-in $42,837.18 so far
$571.06 a month · 60 payments
All-in $39,263.87 so far
Out-the-door $35,169.88 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $35,910.92 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $35,756.31 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
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. A zero-emission car pays a yearly fee and no luxury surcharge in New Jersey
Shipping weight
The research’s test car, a 2026 Tucson SEL, at 3,494 lb or a little less: Code 7. With the Convenience package (3,533 lb) it is Code 8, which is $100 more over a new car’s four years and $25 more a year on a used car
Combined miles per gallon
The test car’s EPA combined 28 mpg (25 city). New Jersey’s surcharge tests the average of city and highway, under 19 mpg
Tires
Four tires and a spare: the research’s test car carries a compact spare
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. A zero-emission car pays a yearly fee and no luxury surcharge in New Jersey
Shipping weight
The research’s test car, a 2026 Tucson SEL, at 3,494 lb or a little less: Code 7. With the Convenience package (3,533 lb) it is Code 8, which is $100 more over a new car’s four years and $25 more a year on a used car
Combined miles per gallon
The test car’s EPA combined 28 mpg (25 city). New Jersey’s surcharge tests the average of city and highway, under 19 mpg
Tires
Four tires and a spare: the research’s test car carries a compact spare
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. A zero-emission car pays a yearly fee and no luxury surcharge in New Jersey
Shipping weight
The research’s test car, a 2026 Tucson SEL, at 3,494 lb or a little less: Code 7. With the Convenience package (3,533 lb) it is Code 8, which is $100 more over a new car’s four years and $25 more a year on a used car
Combined miles per gallon
The test car’s EPA combined 28 mpg (25 city). New Jersey’s surcharge tests the average of city and highway, under 19 mpg
Tires
Four tires and a spare: the research’s test car carries a compact spare
New Jersey law sets no figure for this fee.
New Jersey calls it a documentary service fee.
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026
New Jersey law sets no figure for this fee.
New Jersey calls it a documentary service fee.
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026
New Jersey law sets no figure for this fee.
New Jersey calls it a documentary service fee.
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No local sales tax on a car: the half rates in Urban Enterprise Zones such as Newark’s, and in Salem County, leave cars out.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No county or city fee on buying or registering a car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: standard plates come with the registration.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No inspection fee at the sale: the dealer puts a five-year inspection decal on a new car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No minimum or maximum tax on a car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on a car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No local sales tax on a car: the half rates in Urban Enterprise Zones such as Newark’s, and in Salem County, leave cars out.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No county or city fee on buying or registering a car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: standard plates come with the registration.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No inspection fee at the sale: the dealer puts a five-year inspection decal on a new car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No minimum or maximum tax on a car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on a car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No local sales tax on a car: the half rates in Urban Enterprise Zones such as Newark’s, and in Salem County, leave cars out.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No county or city fee on buying or registering a car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: standard plates come with the registration.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No inspection fee at the sale: the dealer puts a five-year inspection decal on a new car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No minimum or maximum tax on a car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on a car.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $2,469.88 in tax and fees first; $2,530.12 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $2,515.92 in tax and fees first; $2,484.08 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $2,506.31 in tax and fees first; $2,493.69 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 $581.59
72 payments, last $525.26
60 payments, last $571.33
cash down plus every payment
cash down plus every payment
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.
2 charges this total leaves out
2 charges this total leaves out
2 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in New Jersey
New Jersey calls it the sales and use tax.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed. A detail of that point is not confirmed.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
New Jersey’s law sets no figure for the documentary service fee.
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026
A new car is registered for 48 months and all of it is paid at the deal. A used car is registered for 12 months.
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 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 New Jersey’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 nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $22,700.00 |
| New Jersey sales tax nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,503.88 |
| Certificate of title nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $60.00 |
| Lien on the title nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $25.00 |
| Registration, four years nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $211.00 |
| Motor vehicle tire fee nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $7.50 |
| Out-the-door price | $34,507.38 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $32,507.38 |
| Monthly payment | $626.95 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,109.51 |
| Total paid, interest included | $42,616.89 |
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 New Jersey’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Taxable amount nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $21,500.00 |
| New Jersey sales tax nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,424.38 |
| Certificate of title nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $60.00 |
| Lien on the title nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $25.00 |
| Registration nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $46.50 |
| Out-the-door price | $23,055.88 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $18,055.88 |
| Monthly payment | $348.23 |
| Interest over the loan | $2,838.03 |
| Total paid, interest included | $25,893.91 |
The rules in New Jersey
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | sales and use tax nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| New Jersey sales tax | 6.625% of the taxable amount nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Luxury and fuel-inefficient vehicle surcharge | worked by the calculator from the rule of the amount it taxes, in some deals nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Luxury and fuel-inefficient vehicle surcharge | 0.40% of the amount it taxes, in some deals nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| What is taxed | Taxed: the vehicle price, the doc fee, other dealer fees on the order, accessories fitted before delivery, protection packages, loose items sold with the car, service contracts, prepaid maintenance and GAP. Not taxed: government fees. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Trade-in | A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate does not lower the amount taxed. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount lowers the amount taxed. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. A detail of that point is not confirmed. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets no figure for the documentary service fee. law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Certificate of title | $60.00 nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration, four years | worked from the rule nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration, four years | worked from the rule nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration, four years | worked from the rule nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration | worked from the rule a year nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration | worked from the rule a year nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | 6.625% of the actual purchase price, paid by the buyer at the MVC agency when titling. There is no trade-in credit, and a gift is not taxed. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Bought out of state | Credit for sales or use tax legally due and paid to another state; you pay the difference if its rate was lower than 6.625%. No credit for tax paid to a foreign country. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| New resident | No New Jersey tax on a car bought, titled and registered elsewhere before moving. Title and register within 60 days. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Zero-emission vehicle fee | An annual fee of $250 from July 1, 2024 that rises $10 a year for four years, and a new one pays four years of it with the four-year registration. The later yearly amounts are not confirmed. Hybrids are not covered. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Finance rate ceiling | The Retail Installment Sales Act lets the seller and the buyer agree on the rate for a car. codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Luxury and fuel-inefficient surcharge | A one-time 0.4% on a new car priced at $45,000 or more, or rated below 19 miles per gallon. New-car dealers collect it. nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
What has changed
Questions people ask
What does New Jersey's sales tax cover on a car?
New Jersey taxes a car under its general Sales and Use Tax. There is no separate titling or excise tax. The rate is 6.625% of the purchase price of a new or used vehicle, and it is the same all over the state because no local sales tax applies to a car. The price taxed includes the destination charge, dealer prep, the documentary service fee, extended warranties and service contracts, and accessories. A maker’s rebate is added back, so the tax is figured on the price before the rebate. The actual title and registration fees charged by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) are left out of the price taxed.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Does New Jersey give a trade-in tax credit?
Yes, in one case. The amount the dealer gives you for a trade-in comes off the price before the tax is figured, and there is no dollar cap. It counts only when the trade-in is a motor vehicle, the dealer takes it to resell, and both contracts are signed at the same time. More than one trade-in is allowed. A car you sell to someone else on your own gets no credit.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is the New Jersey dealer documentary service fee capped?
No. New Jersey sets no dollar maximum on a dealer’s documentary service fee. The rule is about showing it. The state defines a documentary service as preparing and processing the documents for a transfer of plates, registration or title, and other documents for the sale or lease. Before a dealer charges for one, it must itemize each documentary service actually performed and write the price of each one on the sale document in at least 10-point type. Pre-delivery services must be itemized the same way. A dealer may not tell a buyer that a government body requires the dealer to perform a documentary service. The fee is taxable, and our reading is that it belongs inside any advertised price, which must include every cost except licensing, registration fees and taxes.
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026
Why does a new car in New Jersey have four years of registration up front?
Because state law says so. Since October 1, 2004, a new passenger car is registered for 48 months, and the full amount is paid at the start. The law has a new passenger car’s registration end in the 48th calendar month. MVC’s four-year calculator gives $211.00 for a car of this or next year’s model in the lighter weight class (Code 7) and $311.00 in the heavier class (Code 8). Only a car that has never been titled counts as new. A used car is registered for 12 months.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
What is New Jersey's luxury and fuel-inefficient vehicle surcharge?
It is a one-time 0.4% charge on ownership of a new passenger car with a sales price of at least $45,000, or a fuel efficiency rating below 19 miles per gallon. New-car dealers collect it and pay it to MVC. The $45,000 test is on the gross price before the trade-in and before manufacturers’ rebates. Whether the doc fee counts toward the $45,000 is not confirmed. The surcharge applies to new passenger cars only, so a used car does not pay it.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
I bought a car out of state. What do I pay in New Jersey?
A New Jersey resident pays New Jersey use tax at an MVC agency when titling the car. The use tax rate is the same as the sales tax rate, 6.625%. New Jersey allows a credit for any sales or use tax legally due and paid to another state or local government. If the other state’s total rate was lower than 6.625%, you owe the difference. No credit is allowed for sales tax paid to a foreign country. A new car bought out of state needs a visit to a State inspection station within 14 days for the five-year decal. If you bought, titled and registered the car in another state while you were not a New Jersey resident, no New Jersey tax is due, and you must title and register it within 60 days of moving.
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
nj.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026