California Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• California taxes vehicle sales at 7.25% plus applicable district taxes.
• A trade-in does not reduce the taxable selling price in California.
• A manufacturer rebate assigned to the dealer stays in the taxable price.

Sales and use tax

7.25%

Local tax

0% to 4.5%In effect since Oct 1, 2026

Trade-in

No credit: tax applies to the full price

Manufacturer rebate

Taxed: tax is figured before the rebate

Figured with California's rules for a buyer in Los Angeles, at its 3% local rate.

• Used car, no trade-in$1,845

  $18,000 price. Taxed on $18,000.

• New car with a trade-in$3,588

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $35,000. The trade-in does not lower the tax.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$4,613

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $45,000. The trade-in does not lower the tax. The rebate does not lower the tax.

These examples treat the agreed price as the taxable price. Where a state uses a book value instead, the tax can differ.

On a $30,000 car, tax runs from $2,175 in Simi Valley to $3,525 in Palmdale, a difference of $1,350 among the 115 cities we list.

Before trade-in, for a buyer living in each city. In some states the rate follows the dealer's location instead; see the rules above and our methodology. Rates from cdtfa.ca.gov, checked Nov 6, 2026.

The calculator covers a car bought from a dealer. These rules apply to other ways of buying or bringing a car to California.

Buying from a private seller

A car bought from a private party owes California use tax, usually paid when you register it with the DMV, at the sales tax rate for the address where it is registered. The tax is figured on the total purchase price, including cash, any loan you take over and the value of anything traded. (cdtfa.ca.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

A car received as a gift owes no California use tax. It is not a gift if you pay cash, trade property, provide services or take over a loan for it, or if an employer gives it as compensation. (cdtfa.ca.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to California with your car

A car bought and first used outside California is presumed bought for use in California, and owes use tax, only if it enters the state within 12 months of purchase and, for example, the buyer is a California resident or it is registered in California in that time. Where use tax is due, you may claim a credit for sales tax paid to another state. (cdtfa.ca.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside California

If you paid sales tax to another state when buying the car, that amount is credited against California use tax. For example, with $1,500 paid elsewhere and $2,000 due in California, you owe $500. (cdtfa.ca.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

An active-duty service member whose car comes into California because of an official transfer may not owe use tax, if the car was bought and delivered outside California before the transfer orders were received. Use tax applies if delivery is taken in California or the car is bought for use here after the orders. (cdtfa.ca.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

Any change in ownership must be reported to the DMV within 10 days and the title updated. Use tax is generally paid when the car is registered with the DMV. (dmv.ca.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

If use tax is not paid at the DMV, it is due to CDTFA by the last day of the month following the month of purchase, and penalty and interest begin to accrue after that date. (cdtfa.ca.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

California ranks 49th lowest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia for tax on a $30,000 car, at its lowest local rate. See all states.

Tax on a $30,000 car before trade-in, in nearby states. You generally pay tax based on where you register the car.

• Oregon$150
• Arizona$1,680 – $3,330
• Nevada$2,055 – $2,513
• California$2,175 – $3,525

• All car calculators
• Sales tax calculators by state
• Car sales tax by state
• Trade-in tax credit by state
• Car cost by state
• California out-the-door price
• Auto loan calculator

• Arizona car sales tax
• Nevada car sales tax
• Oregon car sales tax