West Virginia Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• West Virginia charges a 6 percent titling sales tax on vehicles with a net purchase price over $500, and a flat $30 below that.
• A trade-in reduces the taxable price only if it is titled in West Virginia in the applicant's name.
• Manufacturer rebates are fully taxable and cannot be subtracted from the purchase price.

Titling Sales Tax

6%

Local tax

None on vehicles

Trade-in

Full credit: reduces the taxable price

Manufacturer rebate

Taxed: tax is figured before the rebate

Figured with West Virginia'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$1,500

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $600.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$1,800

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $30,000. The trade-in saves $900. 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.

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

Buying from a private seller

A used car bought from an individual is taxed at 6% of the purchase price if that price is at least 50% of the NADA Clean Loan book value; below 50%, tax is on the full book value unless a notarized bill of sale signed by both parties is attached. A car two years old or newer bought from anyone other than a registered dealer is always taxed on its book value. (dmv.wv.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

A car transferred with no payment is not subject to the 6% titling sales tax if both parties sign an Affidavit of Transfer of Ownership Without Consideration (DMV-5-TR); no affidavit is needed between parent and child or between spouses for a car titled in West Virginia. If the gifted car carries a lien, tax is 6% of the lien amount. (dmv.wv.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to West Virginia with your car

A new resident who already has the car titled in their name in their previous state owes no 6% titling sales tax, with no minimum ownership period. They must title and register it, paying the $15 title fee and registration fee, within 30 days of establishing residency. (dmv.wv.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside West Virginia

The 6% titling sales tax applies to a resident's car even if it was bought in another state, and West Virginia does not give credit for sales tax paid to another state. (dmv.wv.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

Active-duty service members stationed outside West Virginia owe no 6% titling sales tax on a car bought within nine months of returning to the state. Service members stationed outside West Virginia and their dependents whose car is validly registered have nine months after returning before the state's title and registration rules apply. (code.wvlegislature.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

West Virginia is tied for 24th 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.

• Virginia$1,245
• West Virginia$1,800
• Kentucky$1,800
• Pennsylvania$1,800 – $2,400
• Maryland$1,950
• Ohio$1,950 – $2,475

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• Kentucky car sales tax
• Maryland car sales tax
• Ohio car sales tax
• Pennsylvania car sales tax
• Virginia car sales tax