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District of Columbia Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

Estimated tax in the District of Columbia

$1,800

The District of Columbia gives no tax credit for a trade-in.

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Taxable amount
$30,000.00
State tax
$1,800.00

The District of Columbia's vehicle excise tax runs from 1% to 11%, depending on the vehicle. On a $30,000 car, tax comes to $1,800. A trade-in does not reduce the tax in the District of Columbia.

By . Checked against state sources on .

What to know in the District of Columbia

  • The District of Columbia charges a vehicle excise tax of 1% to 11% of fair market value based on unladen weight and city MPG, in effect since February 17, 2025.
  • Electric vehicles are no longer exempt and pay 1% to 3% by weight.

District of Columbia rates and rules

Vehicle excise tax
3,500-4,999 lb, 21-25 MPG: 6% · 3,500-4,999 lb, 20 MPG or less: 10% · 3,500-4,999 lb, 26-30 MPG: 4.1% · 3,500-4,999 lb, 31-39 MPG: 3.2% · 3,500-4,999 lb, 40 MPG or more: 2.5% · 3,500-4,999 lb, Electric vehicle: 2% · 3,499 lb or less, 21-25 MPG: 5% · 3,499 lb or less, 20 MPG or less: 9% · 3,499 lb or less, 26-30 MPG: 3.1% · 3,499 lb or less, 31-39 MPG: 2.2% · 3,499 lb or less, 40 MPG or more: 1.5% · 3,499 lb or less, Electric vehicle: 1% · 5,000 lb or more, 21-25 MPG: 7% · 5,000 lb or more, 20 MPG or less: 11% · 5,000 lb or more, 26-30 MPG: 5.1% · 5,000 lb or more, 31-39 MPG: 4.2% · 5,000 lb or more, 40 MPG or more: 3.5% · 5,000 lb or more, Electric vehicle: 3%In effect since Feb 17, 2025
Local tax
None on vehicles
Trade-in
No credit: tax applies to the full price
Manufacturer rebate
Taxed: tax is figured before the rebateIn effect since Feb 17, 2025

What you would pay in the District of Columbia: three examples

Figured with the District of Columbia's rules for a buyer from a dealer.

  • Used car, no trade-in$1,080

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

  • New car with a trade-in$2,100

    $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$2,700

    $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.

Special cases in the District of Columbia

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

Buying from a private seller
The District's excise tax on titling is figured on the car's fair market value as listed in the NADA guide for the Eastern Region at the time of application, not on the price paid. The rate depends on the car's weight and city MPG. (dmv.dc.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
A car received as a gift
A gift of a car between spouses, between domestic partners, or between parent and child is exempt from the District's excise tax, but only if the car already has a District title. Other gifts are taxed. (dmv.dc.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
Moving to the District of Columbia with your car
A car moving to the District is exempt from the excise tax if the owner registered or titled it in another state or U.S. jurisdiction before establishing residency in the District. New residents have 60 calendar days after starting to live in the District to register the car. (dmv.dc.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
Active-duty military
Active-duty service members, their spouses and dependents who keep a permanent residence in another state can get a District reciprocity permit to keep their home-state tags; the permit is valid for one year and renewable. (dmv.dc.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

The District of Columbia compared with the states

The District of Columbia is tied for 24th lowest of all 50 states and the District itself for tax on a $30,000 car. 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.

District of Columbia car sales tax: common questions

What is the car sales tax rate in the District of Columbia?

The District of Columbia's vehicle excise tax runs from 1% to 11%, depending on the vehicle. There is no local tax on vehicles, so the rate is the same everywhere in the District of Columbia.

How much is sales tax on a $20,000 car in the District of Columbia?

About $1,200, for a car bought from a dealer before any trade-in or rebate. Enter your own price and city in the calculator above for an estimate; the dealer and the tax agency set the final amount.

Does a trade-in lower the car sales tax in the District of Columbia?

No. The District of Columbia taxes the full price before the trade-in, so a trade-in lowers what you pay for the car but not the tax.

Is a manufacturer rebate taxed in the District of Columbia?

Yes. The District of Columbia figures the tax on the price before the manufacturer rebate, so a rebate does not lower the tax.

Do you pay sales tax on a used car bought from a private seller in the District of Columbia?

The District's excise tax on titling is figured on the car's fair market value as listed in the NADA guide for the Eastern Region at the time of application, not on the price paid. The rate depends on the car's weight and city MPG.

Is a car received as a gift taxed in the District of Columbia?

A gift of a car between spouses, between domestic partners, or between parent and child is exempt from the District's excise tax, but only if the car already has a District title. Other gifts are taxed.

Do new residents pay tax on a car they bring to the District of Columbia?

A car moving to the District is exempt from the excise tax if the owner registered or titled it in another state or U.S. jurisdiction before establishing residency in the District. New residents have 60 calendar days after starting to live in the District to register the car.

How we calculate this

We start from the price, then apply the Vehicle excise tax.

The full method is on our methodology page.

Sources

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