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Delaware Car Sales Tax Calculator

Delaware has no general sales tax, but it charges a document fee when you title a vehicle, which works like a sales tax and is currently 5.25% of the price after your trade-in allowance. Enter your numbers to see the estimate.

Last reviewed: September 25, 2026Reviewed by Michael Steve

Calculate Your Delaware Car Sales Tax

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The selling price on your buyer’s order.

What the dealer credits you.

State
DelawareChange state

Condition

Delaware's document fee applies to the purchase price, which typically includes dealer fees.

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Estimated out-the-door price

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Enter a vehicle price to see your estimate.

Vehicle price
$0.00
Trade-in
—
Taxable amount
$0.00
Document fee (5.25%)
$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 Delaware Car Sales Tax

    Document fee5.25%
    Local taxNone on vehicles
    Trade-inLowers taxable price
    Dealer feeTaxed with the price; limit not confirmed

    Delaware doesn't have a general sales tax, but every vehicle titled in the state pays a document fee that functions the same way. As of October 1, 2025, that rate is 5.25%, which comes to $1,312.50 on a $25,000 purchase with no trade-in.

    The document fee only applies when you're titling a vehicle for the first time or transferring a title; renewing your registration alone does not trigger it.

    Delaware law allows a vehicle owner who trades in a Delaware-titled vehicle when purchasing another to deduct the trade-in's value from the purchase price before the document fee is calculated.

    Delaware Car Title and Registration Fees

    The DMV charges $35 to title a vehicle without a lien ($55 with a lien noted), and registration is $40 a year for most passenger cars.

    FeeAmountNotes
    Title feeTitle$35.00$35 without a lien noted on the title, $55 with a lien.
    Registration feeRegistration$40.00The standard yearly renewal fee for most passenger cars.
    Dealer documentation feeSet by the dealerVariesWe have not confirmed a specific Delaware dollar limit on a dealer's own processing fee, separate from the state's document fee.

    How Delaware Car Sales Tax Is Calculated

    1. Start with the purchase price.
    2. Subtract your trade-in allowance, if the trade-in is titled in Delaware.
    3. Multiply the result by the document fee rate of 5.25%.
    4. Add the $35 title fee and $40 annual registration fee to reach your out-the-door price.

    Battery-electric vehicles weighing 6,000 lbs or less pay a $110-a-year surcharge on top of the $40 base registration fee, for $150 a year total, under a law that took effect October 1, 2025.

    Because the document fee is Delaware's substitute for a sales tax rather than a separate add-on, there's no local rate to layer on top anywhere in the state. Check the DMV's fee schedule for other vehicle types. Read how a trade-in affects sales tax to see how Delaware compares with other states.

    Example Delaware Car Sales Tax Calculation

    This example assumes the trade-in is titled in Delaware, which qualifies it for the deduction.

    Vehicle price$25,000.00
    Trade-in−$5,000.00
    Taxable amount$20,000.00
    Document fee (5.25%)$1,050.00
    Title fee$35.00
    Registration fee$40.00
    Estimated total$21,125.00

    This is an illustration, not a quote.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware Car Sales Tax

    Does Delaware charge sales tax on a car?

    Not a general sales tax, but Delaware charges a document fee when you title a vehicle that works the same way. It is currently 5.25% of the price after your trade-in allowance, as of October 1, 2025.

    Does a trade-in reduce Delaware's document fee?

    Yes, if the trade-in vehicle is titled in Delaware. Its value is deducted from the purchase price before the document fee is calculated.

    Is there a local rate on top of Delaware's document fee?

    No. The document fee is a single statewide rate; there is no city or county add-on.

    How much is the title fee in Delaware?

    $35 without a lien noted on the title, or $55 with a lien. Registration is $40 a year for most passenger cars.

    Sources

    Taxes and fees change, so confirm exact amounts with the agencies above.

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