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Pick your county and city above for the exact local rate, or type it in the local box.
Vehicle purchases taxed at the state general sales tax rate; local taxes may add. Doc fees, rebates and add-ons may or may not be taxable depending on the state; not modeled.
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California car sales tax, at a glance: 7.25% state tax on vehicle purchases. Vehicle purchases taxed at the state general sales tax rate; local taxes may add. Trade-in credit: not allowed. A $30,000 car owes about $2,175 in state tax.
Base sales tax: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of January 1, 2026. Vehicle rules: Best-effort, checked October 12, 2026.
| Vehicle price | State tax, no trade | With $10,000 trade-in |
|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $1,088 | $1,088 |
| $20,000 | $1,450 | $1,450 |
| $25,000 | $1,812 | $1,812 |
| $30,000 | $2,175 | $2,175 |
| $40,000 | $2,900 | $2,900 |
| $50,000 | $3,625 | $3,625 |
| $60,000 | $4,350 | $4,350 |
State-level tax only; add your county or city rate in the calculator above.
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7.25% at the state level. Vehicle purchases taxed at the state general sales tax rate; local taxes may add. Local taxes may add. On a $30,000 car with no trade-in that's about $2,175 in state tax.
No. California taxes the full vehicle price; a trade-in lowers what you pay or finance, not the tax. (Best-effort; verify with the state DMV or revenue department.)
California's statewide general sales tax is 7.25% (Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of January 1, 2026); the rate applied to vehicles is 7.25%.
Yes. Rates shown are the full combined rate (7.25% statewide base, which already includes the 1.25% uniform local tax, plus district taxes). Use the address where the car will be registered. The calculator fills the exact rate when you pick your county and city (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates, effective October 1, 2026 (SalesTaxRates10-1-26.xlsx), October 1, 2026). Verify with your county clerk.
No. Those vary by dealer, county, vehicle weight and value. The auto loan calculator for this state lets you add a doc fee and title/registration.
No. Estimates from best-effort state rules, not tax or financial advice; confirm with your state agency or dealer.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.