New Jersey Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)
Estimated tax in New Jersey
$1,988
- Taxable amount
- $30,000.00
- State tax
- $1,987.50
New Jersey's sales tax is 6.625%. On a $30,000 car, tax comes to $1,988. A $10,000 trade-in saves about $663.
By Matt Rum. Checked against state sources on .
What to know in New Jersey
- New Jersey taxes a vehicle purchase at 6.625% of the purchase price.
New Jersey rates and rules
- Sales tax
- 6.625%In effect since Jan 1, 2018
- Local tax
- None on vehicles
- Trade-in
- Full credit: reduces the taxable price
- Manufacturer rebate
- Taxed: tax is figured before the rebate
What you would pay in New Jersey: three examples
Figured with New Jersey's rules for a buyer from a dealer.
- Used car, no trade-in$1,193
$18,000 price. Taxed on $18,000.
- New car with a trade-in$1,656
$35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $663.
- New car with a trade-in and a rebate$1,988
$45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $30,000. The trade-in saves $994. 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.
Car sales tax by city in New Jersey
New Jersey has no local tax on vehicles, so buyers in Newark, Jersey City and Paterson and everywhere else in New Jersey are figured at the same state rate: $1,988 on a new $30,000 car. Whether the tax applies to your purchase still depends on the rules above.
Special cases in New Jersey
The calculator covers a car bought from a dealer. These rules apply to other ways of buying or bringing a car to New Jersey.
- Buying from a private seller
- A car bought from a private seller is taxed at 6.625% of the actual purchase price. Without proper proof of the price, the Division of Taxation may assess the tax on the car's N.A.D.A. value. (nj.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- A car received as a gift
- A car received as a gift owes no New Jersey sales tax when the purchase price line on the title is marked as a gift. If the recipient takes over a loan on the car and was not a co-owner on the original title, sales tax is due on the principal loan amount assumed. (nj.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Moving to New Jersey with your car
- No New Jersey sales tax is due on a car that was purchased, titled and registered in another state while the owner was not a New Jersey resident. (nj.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Buying outside New Jersey
- New Jersey allows a credit against the use tax due for any sales or use tax legally due and paid to another state or local jurisdiction. (nj.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Active-duty military
- A New Jersey resident service member stationed out of state who buys a car outside New Jersey may defer the sales tax until the car is brought to New Jersey by filing a notarized Form MD-1 and presenting the Letter of Deferment at titling; only one vehicle can be deferred at a time. Nonresident military personnel stationed in New Jersey pay New Jersey sales tax on cars bought or leased in the state. (nj.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Deadline to pay
- A New Jersey or dealer reassigned title must be transferred within 10 working days from the date of sale. A buyer who did not receive a title from a dealer must title the vehicle within ten days of purchase. (nj.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Paying late
- A title transferred after 10 working days from the date of sale carries a $25 penalty. (nj.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
New Jersey compared with other states
New Jersey ranks 41st lowest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia 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.
- Delaware$1,575
- Pennsylvania$1,800 – $2,400
- New Jersey$1,988
- New York$2,100 – $2,663
New Jersey car sales tax: common questions
What is the car sales tax rate in New Jersey?
New Jersey charges 6.625% (Sales tax). There is no local tax on vehicles, so the rate is the same everywhere in New Jersey.
How much is sales tax on a $20,000 car in New Jersey?
About $1,325, 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 New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey taxes the price minus the trade-in value. On a $30,000 car, a $10,000 trade-in saves about $663 in tax.
Is a manufacturer rebate taxed in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
A car bought from a private seller is taxed at 6.625% of the actual purchase price. Without proper proof of the price, the Division of Taxation may assess the tax on the car's N.A.D.A. value.
Is a car received as a gift taxed in New Jersey?
A car received as a gift owes no New Jersey sales tax when the purchase price line on the title is marked as a gift. If the recipient takes over a loan on the car and was not a co-owner on the original title, sales tax is due on the principal loan amount assumed.
Do new residents pay tax on a car they bring to New Jersey?
No New Jersey sales tax is due on a car that was purchased, titled and registered in another state while the owner was not a New Jersey resident.
Do you owe New Jersey tax on a car bought outside New Jersey?
New Jersey allows a credit against the use tax due for any sales or use tax legally due and paid to another state or local jurisdiction.
What is the deadline after buying a car in New Jersey, and what if you are late?
A New Jersey or dealer reassigned title must be transferred within 10 working days from the date of sale. A buyer who did not receive a title from a dealer must title the vehicle within ten days of purchase. A title transferred after 10 working days from the date of sale carries a $25 penalty.
How we calculate this
We start from the price and subtract the trade-in credit, then apply the Sales tax.
The full method is on our methodology page.