Virginia Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Virginia charges a 4.15 percent Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax on the gross sales price, or $75, whichever is greater.
• A trade-in does not reduce the taxable price: DMV gives the example of a $40,000 car with a $5,000 trade-in being taxed on $40,000.
• Manufacturer rebates and incentives are excluded from the taxable price, while the dealer processing fee is included.

Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax (SUT)

4.15%In effect since Jul 1, 2016

Local tax

None on vehicles

Trade-in

No credit: tax applies to the full price

Manufacturer rebate

Not taxed: the rebate lowers the taxable price

Figured with Virginia's rules for a buyer from a dealer.

• Used car, no trade-in$747

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

• New car with a trade-in$1,453

  $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$1,785

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $43,000. The trade-in does not lower the tax. The rebate saves $83.

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

Virginia has no local tax on vehicles, so buyers in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Richmond and everywhere else in Virginia are figured at the same state rate: $1,245 on a new $30,000 car. Whether the tax applies to your purchase still depends on the rules above.

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

Buying from a private seller

A car bought from a private seller is taxed at 4.15% of the sale price, with a $75 minimum. For a car no more than five years old listed in a recognized pricing guide, the taxable price cannot be less than the guide's trade-in value minus $1,500 unless the buyer signs an affidavit (SUT-1A) stating the lower price. (law.lis.virginia.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

A car given as a gift to the owner's spouse, son, daughter or parent is exempt from the Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax. Except for a gift to a spouse, the exemption does not cover any unpaid loan the recipient takes over. (law.lis.virginia.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Virginia with your car

A car titled in Virginia for the first time is exempt if the owner holds a valid title or registration from another state or a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and has owned it for more than 12 months. If bought within the last 12 months, the owner must show proof of sales tax paid elsewhere or pay Virginia's tax on the car's fair market value. (law.lis.virginia.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Virginia

Virginia credits tax paid to another state on a car bought there when the car is first registered in Virginia, if the buyer shows proof of payment. No credit is given if that state exempts cars sold to residents of states that do not give credit for its tax. (law.lis.virginia.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

Service members pay the Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax like everyone else, but it is waived on a car registered in Virginia for the first time when the owner holds a valid title or registration from another state or a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and has owned the car for more than 12 months or shows proof of sales tax paid elsewhere. (dmv.virginia.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

The buyer must send the signed title to DMV with an application for title and registration within 30 days. The sales and use tax is paid when the owner applies for the certificate of title. (law.lis.virginia.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

Failing to pay the full tax adds a penalty of 10% of the tax or $10, whichever is greater, plus interest of 1.5% per month on tax and penalty until paid. Reporting the sale price at 50% or less of the actual amount is prima facie evidence of fraud, which carries a 50% penalty. (law.lis.virginia.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Virginia ranks 12th 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.

• North Carolina$900
• Virginia$1,245
• District of Columbia$1,800
• Kentucky$1,800
• West Virginia$1,800
• Maryland$1,950
• Tennessee$2,176 – $2,188

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

• District of Columbia car sales tax
• Kentucky car sales tax
• Maryland car sales tax
• North Carolina car sales tax
• Tennessee car sales tax
• West Virginia car sales tax