Free out-the-door price tool
Car Tax & Fees Calculator — True Out-the-Door Price
The sticker price is never the final price. Calculate sales tax, title, registration and dealer fees by state to see what you’ll actually pay.
Calculate Your Out-the-Door Price
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What Is the Out-the-Door Price?
The out-the-door (OTD) price is everything you pay to drive the car home: negotiated vehicle price, plus sales tax, title, registration and dealer fees, minus trade-in credit and rebates. On a $35,000 car it commonly adds $2,500–$4,000 — the number that actually matters for your budget and your loan.
How Car Sales Tax Works by State
Five states charge no vehicle sales tax at all (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon). Everywhere else, rates run roughly 4–8% at the state level, often plus county and city add-ons. Most states let you subtract your trade-in value before calculating tax — a $10,000 trade-in at 7% saves you $700.
Fees to Expect (and Question)
- Documentation fee: $200–$800. Pure dealer profit in most states — negotiate it down or the price down to match.
- Title & registration: $50–$400, set by your state. Legitimate and non-negotiable.
- Destination charge: on new cars, usually baked into MSRP ($1,000–$1,500).
- Red flags: “dealer prep,” “market adjustment,” nitrogen-filled tires, VIN etching — all negotiable or removable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have no car sales tax?
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon charge no state vehicle sales tax. (Some Alaska municipalities levy local tax.)
Does trade-in reduce sales tax?
In most states, yes — tax applies to (price − trade-in). Exceptions include California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Montana and Virginia, which tax the full price.
What is a doc fee and is it negotiable?
The documentation fee ($200–$800) covers paperwork processing. It’s dealer-set profit in most states — negotiate the vehicle price down by the same amount if they won’t remove it.
Do I pay sales tax where I buy or where I live?
Where you register the car (your home state). Buying out of state doesn’t dodge your home state’s tax — you’ll pay the difference at registration.
Are rebates taxed?
Manufacturer rebates are usually taxed (they reduce what you pay, not the taxable price). Dealer discounts reduce the taxable price. Rules vary by state.
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