Calculate Now

Tennessee Car Sales Tax Calculator

The Tennessee car sales tax calculator applies the 7% state sales tax to the whole price of a vehicle, after your trade-in credit. Local tax applies to only the first $1,600, and a separate state single article tax of 2.75% applies to the slice of the price between $1,600 and $3,200. Enter your numbers to see how it adds up.

Calculate Your Tennessee 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
TennesseeChange state

Tennessee local tax applies to only the first $1,600 of the price. Enter your local rate, or look up the rates first: Tennessee sales and use tax rates

Condition

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
State sales tax (7%)
$0.00
State single article tax (2.75%)
$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 Tennessee Car Sales Tax

    State rate7%
    Local taxVaries; first $1,600 only
    Trade-inLowers taxable price
    Dealer feeLimit not confirmed

    Tennessee charges 7% state sales tax on the whole price of a vehicle, after your trade-in credit, which is $1,750.00 on a $25,000 purchase with no trade-in.

    The unusual part is how little the other taxes can add. Local tax applies to only the first $1,600 of the price, and a separate state single article tax of 2.75% applies only to the slice of the price between $1,600 and $3,200.

    That is why the local and single article amounts look small next to the state tax in the example below.

    Tennessee Car Title and Registration Fees

    County clerks charge an $8.50 title application fee for receiving and forwarding a title application, and a standard plate costs $26.50. We have not added the state title fee, so the title total is partial, and counties may add their own fees.

    FeeAmountNotes
    County clerk title application feeTitle$8.50The fee county clerks charge for receiving and forwarding a title application, since July 1, 2022.
    State title feeTitleVariesWe have not added a verified state title fee, so the title total is partial.
    Standard plate feeRegistration$26.50Passenger vehicle plate fee. Counties may add their own fees.
    Dealer documentation feeSet by the dealerVariesWe have not confirmed a Tennessee limit or tax rule for dealer fees. Check each line on the buyer's order.

    How Tennessee Car Sales Tax Is Calculated

    1. Start with the price, then subtract your trade-in credit.
    2. Multiply the result by the state rate of 7%.
    3. Add local tax: your local rate applied to the first $1,600 only.
    4. Add the 2.75% single article tax on the part of the price between $1,600 and $3,200.
    5. Add the $8.50 clerk fee, the $26.50 plate fee and any dealer fee.

    The 7% state tax applies to the whole taxable price. The local rate applies only to the first $1,600, and the 2.75% single article tax applies only to the part of the price above $1,600 and up to $3,200. Together they cap what local and single article taxes can add, however expensive the car is.

    We have not confirmed a Tennessee limit on dealer fees, so check each line on the buyer's order. To see how Tennessee's trade-in credit compares with other states, read how a trade-in affects sales tax.

    Example Tennessee Car Sales Tax Calculation

    This example assumes a 2.25% local rate for illustration. Notice how small the local and single article amounts are next to the state tax.

    Vehicle price$30,000.00
    Trade-in−$5,000.00
    Taxable amount$25,000.00
    State sales tax (7%)$1,750.00
    State single article tax (2.75%)$44.00
    Local tax (2.25%, first $1,600 only)$36.00
    Title fee (partial)$8.50
    Registration fee$26.50
    Estimated total$26,865.00

    This is an illustration, not a quote.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Car Sales Tax

    What is the car sales tax rate in Tennessee?

    The state rate is 7% on the whole price. Local tax, which varies by county, applies to only the first $1,600. A state single article tax of 2.75% also applies to the portion of the price above $1,600 and up to $3,200.

    Why is Tennessee's local tax so small on a car?

    The local rate is applied only to the first $1,600 of the sale price of a single article, so it cannot grow with the price of the car.

    Does a trade-in reduce Tennessee sales tax?

    Yes. Tennessee allows a trade-in credit in a vehicle purchase, and it does not require proof that tax was paid on the trade-in earlier.

    How much does it cost to register a car in Tennessee?

    The standard plate fee for a passenger vehicle is $26.50. Counties may add their own fees. County clerks also charge $8.50 for receiving and forwarding a title application.

    Neighboring states

    Vehicle calculators

    Helpful guides