Tax on the purchase
7.25%
Sales tax. Districts add roughly 0.15% to 3% on top.
California · OTD calculator
California Out-the-Door Price Calculator with tax & dealer fees
California’s 7.25% sales tax, the $23 title fee, registration and a capped $85 dealer doc fee are already filled in. Enter the price and read the total.
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$
Before tax and fees
Fills the tax rate and fees; edit any of them
$
Leave at 0 if none
Out-the-door price
Enter a price
Tax and fees add — on top of the price you agree.
Adjust tax & fees7.25% · doc $85 · title $23 · reg $103
%
Add your county or city rate
$
Capped by law at $85 in California
$
Set by your DMV
$
Set by your DMV; often by weight or value
Your California out-the-door (OTD) price, line by line
Buyer’s order
- Vehicle selling price
- —
- Enter a vehicle price
Out-the-door total
Enter a price
Estimate from the figures you entered. State figures are the statewide rate, the DMV title fee, a representative registration fee and a typical dealer doc fee; counties add to the rate in most states. Rates checked September 2026.
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Dealer’s OTD quote100%
What clients paid−$5,730
Median across 86 published deals with both figures. See the deals
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What the state charges
Car sales tax and fees in California
The figures the calculator fills in for California, and where each comes from. Rates checked September 2026; every field in the tool stays editable.
Trade-in credit
No
California taxes the full price; a trade-in does not reduce the tax.
Title and registration
$23 + $103
Title fee, then registration ($74 base plus the $29 CHP fee; the value-based license fee and transportation improvement fee are extra.).
Dealer doc fee
$85 cap
Capped by state law; most dealers charge the cap.
Worked example
A $35,000 car in California, out the door
With a $5,000 trade-in, using the figures above.
Worked example
- Vehicle selling price
- $35,000
- Sales tax at 7.25% on $35,000
- +$2,538
- Title fee
- +$23
- Registration
- +$103
- Dealer doc fee (capped at $85)
- +$85
- Less trade-in allowance
- −$5,000
Out-the-door price
$32,749
Tax and fees add $2,749 to a $35,000 car in California with a $5,000 trade-in.
Two dealers quoting the same $35,000 can land hundreds apart on the doc fee alone. Ask for the out-the-door price in writing and compare that.
Figures from the state table on this page; counties and cities may add to the rate. Rounded to the dollar.
Questions
California out-the-door price FAQ
How much is sales tax on a car in California?
California's sales tax on a vehicle purchase is 7.25%. Districts add roughly 0.15% to 3% on top. California taxes the full price; a trade-in does not reduce the tax.
What is the doc fee in California?
California caps the dealer documentation fee at $85 (Capped by law — CA Vehicle Code 11713.1.). Dealers usually charge at or near the cap.
What are the title and registration fees in California?
The certificate-of-title fee is $23. Registration is about $103 for a typical passenger car; $74 base plus the $29 CHP fee; the value-based license fee and transportation improvement fee are extra.
Does a trade-in reduce sales tax in California?
California taxes the full price; a trade-in does not reduce the tax.
Compare
How other states compare
5 states
| State | Tax rate | What it is called | Trade-in cuts tax? | Title fee | Registration | Doc fee cap | Typical doc fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 6.25% | Sales tax | Yes | $33 | $51 | $225 safe harbor | $150 | No local add-on: 6.25% is the whole motor-vehicle rate. $50.75 state fee plus county road-and-bridge and inspection fees. Texas sets no hard cap: $225 is the OCCC safe harbor, above which a dealer must justify the fee. $150 is typical. |
| California | 7.25% | Sales tax | No | $23 | $103 | $85 | $85 | Districts add roughly 0.15% to 3% on top. $74 base plus the $29 CHP fee; the value-based license fee and transportation improvement fee are extra. California taxes the full price; a trade-in does not reduce the tax. Capped by law — CA Vehicle Code 11713.1. |
| Florida | 6% | Sales tax | Yes | $78 | $225 | None found | $899 | Counties add a discretionary surtax on the first $5,000 only. No statutory cap found; the dealer sets it, so it is negotiable. |
| New York | 4% | Sales tax | Yes | $50 | $140 | $175 | $175 | Counties add substantially; New York City is about 8.875% in total. Priced on weight, two-year registration. Capped by law. |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | Sales tax | Yes | $67 | $48 | $490 | $449 | Allegheny County adds 1%; Philadelphia adds 2%. Capped by law — CPI-indexed each year. |
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