Utah Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Utah taxes a dealer sale at the combined sales tax rate for the dealer location, which includes a 4.85 percent state rate.
• Trade-in credit and manufacturer rebates both reduce the taxable purchase price, but document service fees are taxable.

Sales and Use Tax

4.85%

Local tax

1.5% to 3.6%In effect since Oct 1, 2026

Trade-in

Full credit: reduces the taxable price

Manufacturer rebate

Not taxed: the rebate lowers the taxable price

Figured with Utah's rules for a buyer in Salt Lake City, at its 2.6% local rate.

• Used car, no trade-in$1,341

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

• New car with a trade-in$1,863

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $745.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$2,086

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $28,000. The trade-in saves $1,118. The rebate saves $149.

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 $2,025 in St. George to $2,235 in South Jordan, a difference of $210 among the 11 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 files.tax.utah.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 Utah.

Buying from a private seller

A buyer from a private seller pays sales tax on the price actually paid when titling the car, at the rate for the buyer's registration address. Without an acceptable signed bill of sale, DMV figures the tax on fair market value, and under-reporting the price can bring a penalty of up to 100% of the unpaid tax or $500, whichever is greater. (dmv.utah.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Utah with your car

A resident of another state who bought a car there and brings it into Utah owes no Utah tax on the purchase if all sales or use taxes were paid to the other state; a valid, non-temporary registration card is evidence of payment. The car must be registered in Utah within 60 days of establishing residency. (tax.utah.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Utah

A Utah resident who buys a car outside Utah pays Utah use tax when titling it, with a credit for sales tax properly due and paid first to another state. (tax.utah.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

Military personnel stationed in Utah are not exempt from Utah sales or use tax unless the car qualifies for the exclusive-use-outside-Utah exemption: registered in another state and used in Utah only for non-business purposes for 30 days or less in a calendar year. (tax.utah.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Utah is tied for 35th 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.

• Colorado$870 – $3,360
• New Mexico$1,200
• Wyoming$1,200 – $2,700
• Arizona$1,680 – $3,330
• Idaho$1,800
• Utah$1,905 – $2,535
• Nevada$2,055 – $2,513

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

• Arizona car sales tax
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• Idaho car sales tax
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• New Mexico car sales tax
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