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Pennsylvania Car Sales Tax Calculator

The Pennsylvania car sales tax calculator applies the 6% sales tax on a vehicle, with an extra 1% in Allegheny County and 2% in Philadelphia. Tax applies to the price after your trade-in. Choose where you live below to see the estimate with the title and registration fees.

Calculate Your Pennsylvania Car Sales Tax

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The selling price on your buyer’s order.

What the dealer credits you.

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Pennsylvania caps the documentary preparation fee and adjusts the limit each year with inflation.

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Replaces the state estimate.

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Plates, inspections, add-ons.

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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
State sales tax (6%)
$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 Pennsylvania Car Sales Tax

    State rate6%
    Local taxVaries by area
    Trade-inLowers taxable price
    Dealer feeCapped; adjusted yearly

    Pennsylvania charges 6% on a vehicle, or $1,500.00 on a $25,000 purchase with no trade-in.

    Local tax is a fixed add-on in two places only: an extra 1% in Allegheny County and 2% in Philadelphia. Everywhere else the state rate is the whole rate, so you choose where you live instead of looking up a rate.

    If the seller takes a motor vehicle as a trade-in, tax is charged on the difference between the purchase price and the trade-in value.

    Pennsylvania Car Title and Registration Fees

    PennDOT's certificate of title fee is $50 and the one-year passenger registration fee is $48, which includes a standard plate for first-time issuance. Participating counties add a $5 yearly county fee, which is not included.

    FeeAmountNotes
    Certificate of title feeTitle$50.00PennDOT's fee for a certificate of title.
    Passenger registration feeRegistration$48.00The one-year passenger vehicle fee, which includes a standard plate for first-time issuance. Participating counties add a $5 yearly county fee.
    Dealer documentation feeSet by the dealerVariesA Pennsylvania dealer may not charge a documentary preparation fee above a limit that the State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons sets and adjusts each year for consumer price inflation. See the Board's annual fee notice for the current amount.

    How Pennsylvania Car Sales Tax Is Calculated

    1. Start with the purchase price.
    2. If the seller takes a motor vehicle as a trade-in, subtract its value.
    3. Multiply the result by the state rate of 6%.
    4. Add 1% if you live in Allegheny County or 2% if you live in Philadelphia.
    5. Add the $50 title fee, the $48 registration fee and any dealer fee.

    Pennsylvania's local tax is a fixed add-on for two areas, so there is no rate to look up. If you live in Allegheny County or Philadelphia, choose it above.

    A Pennsylvania dealer may not charge a documentary preparation fee above a limit that the State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons sets and adjusts each year for consumer price inflation. The Board's annual fee notice has the current amount. Read how a trade-in affects sales tax to see how Pennsylvania compares.

    Example Pennsylvania Car Sales Tax Calculation

    This example is for an Allegheny County resident, where the extra local tax is 1%.

    Vehicle price$28,000.00
    Trade-in−$6,000.00
    Taxable amount$22,000.00
    State sales tax (6%)$1,320.00
    Local tax (1%)$220.00
    Title fee$50.00
    Registration fee$48.00
    Estimated total$23,638.00

    This is an illustration, not a quote.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Car Sales Tax

    What is the car sales tax rate in Pennsylvania?

    The sales tax is 6% of the purchase price or the vehicle's market value. Residents of Allegheny County pay 7% because of an extra 1% local tax, and residents of Philadelphia pay 8% because of an extra 2%.

    Does a trade-in reduce Pennsylvania sales tax?

    Yes. If the seller takes your vehicle as a trade-in, tax is charged on the difference between the purchase price and the trade-in value.

    How much are title and registration in Pennsylvania?

    PennDOT lists a $50 certificate of title fee and a $48 one-year fee for a passenger vehicle registration. Counties that take part also charge a $5 yearly fee for each vehicle registered there.

    Is there a limit on the dealer documentary fee in Pennsylvania?

    Yes. State law limits the documentary preparation fee, and the limit is adjusted every year with the Consumer Price Index. The Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons publishes the current amount.

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