Calculate Now

California Car Sales Tax Calculator

The California car sales tax calculator applies the 7.25% base sales tax to a vehicle purchase, plus any district tax where the car will be registered. Unlike in Missouri or Texas, a trade-in does not lower the taxable price. Enter your numbers to see the tax and the DMV fees that come with registering the car.

Calculate Your California Car Sales Tax

Results update as you type. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.

The selling price on your buyer’s order.

What the dealer credits you.

State
CaliforniaChange state

California adds district taxes of 0.10% to 2.00% depending on where the car is registered. Enter the district portion, or look up your rate first: CDTFA Know Your Rate

Condition

California limits this charge by law. Confirm the current maximum before you sign.

Advanced options

Enter your own amounts where you know them. They replace our estimates.

Replaces the state estimate.

Replaces the state estimate.

Plates, inspections, add-ons.

Estimate only

Estimated out-the-door price

$0.00

Enter a vehicle price to see your estimate.

Vehicle price
$0.00
Trade-in
—
Taxable amount
$0.00
Base sales tax (7.25%)
$0.00
Local sales tax
$0.00
Title fee
$0.00
Registration fee
$0.00
Dealer / documentation fee
—
Estimated total
$0.00
How this estimate was calculated

    Estimates are for informational purposes only. Actual taxes and fees may vary based on your location, vehicle, transaction and current state rules.

    Estimated California Car Sales Tax

    Base sales tax7.25%
    Local taxVaries by location
    Trade-inNo tax reduction
    Dealer feeCapped by law

    California's base sales tax on a vehicle is 7.25%, or $1,812.50 on a $25,000 purchase, and it is charged on the full selling price.

    A trade-in does not lower the taxable amount here, the opposite of Missouri or Texas. Manufacturer discounts paid to the dealer do not raise your taxable price, but rebates that come from a third party do count toward it.

    District taxes of 0.10% to 2.00% are added depending on where the car is registered, so the calculator asks for the district portion. Registration then brings its own DMV fees, including a vehicle license fee of 0.65% of the vehicle's value.

    Buying in Los Angeles? CDTFA currently lists the combined sales and use tax rate for both the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County at 9.75%. That is the 7.25% base plus 2.5% in district taxes, so enter 2.5 as the district rate to use this as a Los Angeles car sales tax calculator, and confirm it for your registration address with CDTFA's rate lookup.

    California Car Title and Registration Fees

    The calculator adds a $15 transfer fee, the $76 registration fee, a $34 California Highway Patrol fee, the Transportation Improvement Fee, which steps up with the vehicle's value from $33 to $231, and the 0.65% vehicle license fee. County, district and other DMV fees vary by location and are not in the total.

    FeeAmountNotes
    Transfer feeTitle$15.00Listed by the DMV as the fee to transfer ownership. Additional title or county fees may apply.
    Registration feeRegistration$76.00Includes a $3 alternative fuel/technology fee.
    California Highway Patrol feeRegistration$34.00Standard passenger vehicle amount.
    Transportation Improvement FeeRegistration$33–$231 by valueSet by vehicle value: $33 under $5,000, $66 from $5,000, $132 from $25,000, $198 from $35,000 and $231 from $60,000.
    Vehicle license fee (0.65%)Registration0.65% of value0.65% of the vehicle's value. The estimate uses the purchase price. The fee decreases over the first years of ownership.
    Dealer documentation feeSet by the dealerVariesThe dealer document processing charge is set under California Vehicle Code section 11713.1. The maximum depends on the dealer and has been amended in recent years, so check the current limit with the DMV.

    How California Car Sales Tax Is Calculated

    1. Start with the full selling price. A trade-in does not come off.
    2. Multiply by the base rate of 7.25%.
    3. Add district tax by multiplying the price by the district rate for the address where the car is registered.
    4. Add the DMV fees: transfer, registration, California Highway Patrol, the Transportation Improvement Fee (set by vehicle value) and the vehicle license fee at 0.65% of value.
    5. Add any dealer document fee to reach your out-the-door price.

    Manufacturer discounts paid to the dealer do not raise your taxable price. Rebates that come from a third party do count toward the taxable selling price.

    The DMV says transfer fees are due within 10 days of the sale, with a late penalty after 30 days.

    The dealer document processing charge is set under California Vehicle Code section 11713.1. The maximum depends on the dealer and has been amended in recent years, so check the current limit with the DMV. For the states that do credit a trade-in, read how a trade-in affects sales tax.

    Example California Car Sales Tax Calculation

    This example assumes a 1% district tax for illustration. Your district rate depends on where the car is registered.

    Vehicle price$30,000.00
    Trade-in−$5,000.00
    Taxable amount$30,000.00
    Base sales tax (7.25%)$2,175.00
    Local tax (1%)$300.00
    Title fee$15.00
    Registration fee$437.00
    Estimated total$27,927.00

    This is an illustration, not a quote.

    Frequently Asked Questions About California Car Sales Tax

    Does a trade-in reduce California sales tax?

    No. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration says a dealer must report the total selling price and cannot deduct the trade-in allowance. On a $20,000 car with a $4,000 trade-in, tax is charged on $20,000. The trade-in still lowers the amount you pay; it just does not lower the tax.

    What is the car sales tax rate in California?

    The base rate is 7.25% statewide. District taxes are added based on where the vehicle will be registered, and they range from 0.10% to 2.00%. The DMV describes the combined use tax as 7.25% to 10.25%, depending on your city and county.

    Which DMV fees come with registering a car in California?

    The DMV lists a $76 registration fee, a $34 California Highway Patrol fee, a vehicle license fee of 0.65% of the vehicle's value, and a Transportation Improvement Fee that ranges from $33 to $231 by vehicle value. Transferring ownership carries a $15 fee. County and district fees can add to this, so the DMV's fee calculator gives the exact total.

    Do manufacturer rebates change the taxable price in California?

    It depends on who pays them. Discounts a manufacturer gives the dealer do not have to be added to your taxable price. Rebates you receive from third parties are included in the taxable selling price.

    Is there a cap on the dealer document fee in California?

    Yes, state law caps the document processing charge. The limit depends on the dealer and has changed in recent years, so we do not print a fixed number here. Ask the dealer for the amount in writing and compare it with the DMV's current guidance.

    Neighboring states

    Vehicle calculators

    Helpful guides