Ohio car sales tax calculator
The sales and use tax in Ohio is the state’s 5.75% plus a local rate that depends on the place, of the taxable amount. A detail of that point is not confirmed.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 6, 2026 · Page changed Oct 11, 2026
Where will you register the car?
Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, Ohio. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $594.23a month | $40,653.88+$630.34 more than Deal C | |
| $536.58a month | $43,633.68+$3,610.14 more than Deal C | |
| $583.73a month | $40,023.54Lowest |
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.
$594.23 a month · 60 payments
All-in $40,653.88
$536.58 a month · 72 payments
All-in $43,633.68
$583.73 a month · 60 payments
All-in $40,023.54Lowest
Out-the-door $35,811.00
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $36,561.60
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $36,405.00
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Gas · change
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay more in some states
Car or light truck
A car or SUV. A light truck up to three-quarters of a ton registers for $15 more
GAP written into the buyer’s agreement
GAP from the dealer is usually written into the buyer’s agreement, where Ohio taxes it. Sold on its own contract, it isn’t taxed
Gas · change
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay more in some states
Car or light truck
A car or SUV. A light truck up to three-quarters of a ton registers for $15 more
GAP written into the buyer’s agreement
GAP from the dealer is usually written into the buyer’s agreement, where Ohio taxes it. Sold on its own contract, it isn’t taxed
Gas · change
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay more in some states
Car or light truck
A car or SUV. A light truck up to three-quarters of a ton registers for $15 more
GAP written into the buyer’s agreement
GAP from the dealer is usually written into the buyer’s agreement, where Ohio taxes it. Sold on its own contract, it isn’t taxed
$398.00: what Ohio allows here, the lesser of two limits (“not more than the lesser of”).
Ohio calls it a documentary service charge.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
$398.00: what Ohio allows here, the lesser of two limits (“not more than the lesser of”).
Ohio calls it a documentary service charge.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
$398.00: what Ohio allows here, the lesser of two limits (“not more than the lesser of”).
Ohio calls it a documentary service charge.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Assumes etching, nitrogen and similar products are taxed like undercoating, which Ohio names. No Ohio source names them. If they aren’t taxed, the tax is lower by your county’s combined rate times their price.
- No separate lien fee: a lien noted with the title application is included in the title fee.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No emissions test fee at registration: E-Check testing covers seven northeast Ohio counties only and costs the owner nothing.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No separate lien fee: a lien noted with the title application is included in the title fee.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No emissions test fee at registration: E-Check testing covers seven northeast Ohio counties only and costs the owner nothing.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No separate lien fee: a lien noted with the title application is included in the title fee.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No emissions test fee at registration: E-Check testing covers seven northeast Ohio counties only and costs the owner nothing.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,111.00 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,889.00 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,166.60 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,833.40 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,155.00 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,845.00 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 $594.31
72 payments, last $536.50
60 payments, last $583.47
cash down plus every payment
+$630.34 more all-in than Deal C
cash down plus every payment
+$3,610.14 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.
2 charges this total leaves out
2 charges this total leaves out
2 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in Ohio
Ohio calls it the sales and use tax.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed. This holds only in some deals; the calculator applies the rule.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed.
tax.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Ohio’s law makes the documentary service charge the smaller of a set amount and a share of the price (its words: “not more than the lesser of”).
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Ohio does not tax a dealer’s documentary service charge: it has been exempt since May 1, 2023.
codes.ohio.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 Ohio’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 codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $22,700.00 |
| Sales and use tax codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $1,816.00 |
| Doc fee codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $398.00 |
| Certificate of title fee codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $23.00 |
| Registration tax, passenger car, for a full year codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $20.00 |
| Additional registration fee codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $16.00 |
| Permissive (local) license tax, for a full year dam.assets.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $30.00 |
| Deputy registrar service fee codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $8.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $35,011.00 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $33,011.00 |
| Monthly payment | $636.66 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,188.71 |
| Total paid, interest included | $43,199.71 |
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 Ohio’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Taxable amount codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $21,500.00 |
| Sales and use tax codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $1,720.00 |
| Doc fee codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $398.00 |
| Certificate of title fee codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $23.00 |
| Registration tax, passenger car, for a full year codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $20.00 |
| Additional registration fee codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $16.00 |
| Permissive (local) license tax, for a full year dam.assets.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $30.00 |
| Deputy registrar service fee codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $8.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $23,715.00 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $18,715.00 |
| Monthly payment | $360.94 |
| Interest over the loan | $2,941.64 |
| Total paid, interest included | $26,656.64 |
The rules in Ohio
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | sales and use tax codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Sales and use tax | worked by the calculator from the rule of the taxable amount. A detail of that point is not confirmed. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| What is taxed | Taxed: the vehicle price, other dealer fees on the order, accessories fitted before delivery, protection packages, loose items sold with the car, service contracts and prepaid maintenance. Not taxed: the doc fee and government fees. Depends on the deal: GAP. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Trade-in | A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed. This holds only in some deals; the calculator applies the rule. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate does not lower the amount taxed. tax.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount lowers the amount taxed. tax.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. tax.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law makes the documentary service charge the smaller of a set amount and a share of the price (its words: “not more than the lesser of”). codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Certificate of title fee | set by the county or place codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Registration tax, passenger car | $20.00 a year codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Additional registration fee | $16.00 a year. A detail of that point is not confirmed. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Registration, light truck | $51.00 a year bmv.ohio.gov · checked Oct 6, 2026 |
| Deputy registrar service fee | worked from the rule. A detail of that point is not confirmed. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Who collects | The dealer collects the tax from the buyer and pays it to the clerk of courts with the title application, and the clerk refuses the title until it is paid. A private buyer pays the clerk directly. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | Paid to the clerk of courts at the time of title transfer, at the same state and county or transit rate as a dealer sale in the buyer’s county. No trade-in credit and no doc fee. tax.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Private-party price | The purchase price on the assigned certificate of title is prima facie evidence of the price. No book-value floor was found, and the Department of Taxation audits casual sales. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | A credit up to the tax paid to the other jurisdiction, with proof given to the clerk. If the tax paid elsewhere is at least Ohio’s, nothing more is due. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| New resident | No additional Ohio tax if the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving to Ohio (exemption code CV). Bought less than 6 months before, the tax is due with credit for tax paid to the other state. tax.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Dealer registration and titling service fee | A dealer may charge up to $50 per vehicle plus mailing costs, as an optional charge disclosed in writing. It is a dealer charge, not a government fee. Whether it is taxed has not been confirmed. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
What has changed
· Doc fee rule: a new version takes effect.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
Does Ohio give a trade-in credit when I buy a used car?
No. In Ohio a trade-in allowance reduces the price only on the sale of a new vehicle by a new motor vehicle dealer. When the car you buy is used, the tax is on the full price whatever you trade. On a new car the credit is the dealer’s allowance, not that amount net of what you still owe, and if the trade-in value equals or exceeds the price, no tax is due. Several trade-ins may be combined on a new-vehicle purchase.
tax.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Is the Ohio dealer doc fee capped?
Yes. A dealer may charge a documentary service charge of no more than the lesser of two limits: an amount indexed to the consumer price index, and 10% of the amount the buyer must pay under the contract, leaving out tax, title and registration fees and any negative equity. The indexed maximum is $398 for sales from 1/1/2026 to 12/31/2026 and $412 for 2027. It is reset each September 30 for the next calendar year and never decreases. The charge must be specified in writing without itemization, and the same limit applies to cash, financed and lease deals.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
autodealers.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Is the doc fee taxed in Ohio?
No. Since May 1, 2023, Ohio has exempted documentary service charges from sales tax (section 5739.02(B)(59)). The Department of Taxation’s motor vehicle page still refers to an older form, which is out of date; the statute controls.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Which county's rate applies in Ohio?
The county where the buyer lives, not where the dealer is. In counties served by the Central Ohio Transit Authority, the transit sub-area of the home address matters too, so the rate depends on the address and not only the county. For example, Columbus addresses in Fairfield County are taxed at 7.75% and in Licking County at 8.25%, against 8.00% in Franklin County. Rates change only on January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
tax.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Are service contracts and GAP taxed in Ohio?
Service contracts are. A warranty, maintenance or service contract is taxable: if it is sold as part of the vehicle purchase agreement it is taxed through the clerk along with the vehicle, and if it is sold later the vendor collects. GAP is taxable if it is sold with the car and included in the retail buyer’s or lease agreement, and not taxable if it is sold separately from that agreement.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
tax.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
I bought a car out of state. What do I pay in Ohio?
You pay Ohio use tax when you title the car, at the rate of your county of residence, less credit for tax paid to the other jurisdiction up to the amount you paid there. You give the clerk proof of the tax paid, and if the tax paid elsewhere is at least as much as Ohio’s, nothing more is due. The clerk will not issue an Ohio title until the tax is paid.
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026