Ohio Car Sales Tax Calculator
Determine exact Ohio motor vehicle sales tax, official DMV title and license fees (TTL), and dealer documentation fee caps under Ohio Rev. Code § 5739.01(H)(2) & § 4517.261.
Vehicle & Tax Parameters
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Worked Scenario: Buying a $30,000 Vehicle in Ohio
Here is how the numbers break down when purchasing a $30,000 car with a $5,000 trade-in allowance in Ohio:
| Line Item | Calculation Rule | Amount ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Agreed Price | Base vehicle purchase price | $30,000.00 |
| Less Trade-In Allowance | Deducted from vehicle equity | -$5,000.00 |
| Taxable Purchase Amount | Price minus trade-in (Credit applies) | $25,000.00 |
| Ohio Sales Tax (5.75%) | $25,000.00 × 5.75% | $1,437.50 |
| Dealer Documentation Fee | Statutory legal cap of $398 (or 10% of vehicle purchase... | $398.00 |
| DMV Title & Registration | Official state titling and plate fee | $55.00 |
| Total Out-the-Door Due | Net balance + tax + fees | $26,890.50 |
Ohio Motor Vehicle Tax Laws & Regulations
When purchasing a car in Ohio, understanding how your state assesses tax and regulates dealer fees ensures you never overpay at the dealership signing table. Primary legal authority is codified under Ohio Rev. Code § 5739.01(H)(2) & § 4517.261.
1. Sales Tax Assessment & Surtaxes
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 5739.01(H)(2) & § 4517.261, Ohio imposes a 5.75% state base rate. County permissive sales taxes range from 0.75% to 2.25%, producing total tax rates between 6.50% and 8.00%.
2. Trade-In Tax Deduction Rules
Trade-in tax credit applies to NEW vehicle purchases only under Ohio Rev. Code § 5739.01(H)(2). Used vehicle purchases do not receive trade-in tax credits.
3. Dealer Documentation Fees & Ceilings
Statutory legal cap of $398 (or 10% of vehicle purchase price, whichever is less) for 2026 under Ohio Rev. Code § 4517.261. Learn how this compares with other jurisdictions in our complete Dealer Doc Fees by State Directory.
Local DMV & County Fee Variations in Ohio
While state tax rates provide the baseline, local county surtaxes and DMV plate fees vary across Ohio jurisdictions:
| County / Metropolitan Area | Combined Vehicle Tax Rate | DMV Plate & Title Fee | Typical Dealer Doc Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County (Columbus) | 7.50% (5.75% state + 1.75% county) | $31 base + $20 local permissive | $398 (Capped) |
| Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) | 8.00% (5.75% state + 2.25% county) | $31 base + $25 local permissive | $398 (Capped) |
| Hamilton County (Cincinnati) | 7.80% (5.75% state + 2.05% county) | $31 base + $20 local permissive | $398 (Capped) |
| Summit County (Akron) | 6.75% (5.75% state + 1.00% county) | $31 base + $20 local permissive | $398 (Capped) |
| Montgomery County (Dayton) | 7.50% (5.75% state + 1.75% county) | $31 base + $20 local permissive | $398 (Capped) |
| Lucas County (Toledo) | 7.75% (5.75% state + 2.00% county) | $31 base + $25 local permissive | $398 (Capped) |
Cross-Border & Private-Party Buying Rules
If you purchase a vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, you pay motor vehicle sales tax to Ohio when titling the car in your home jurisdiction. Read our transactional guide on buying a car out of state to avoid paying duplicate sales tax.
For private-party transactions between individual buyers and sellers, review our guide on private party vs. dealer vehicle sales tax to understand state valuation rules and required bill of sale documentation.
Need a National View?
Compare statutory rates across all 50 states or recalculate with custom dealer parameters: