Texas Car Sales Tax Calculator
Determine exact Texas motor vehicle sales tax, official DMV title and license fees (TTL), and dealer documentation fee caps under Texas Tax Code § 152.021.
Vehicle & Tax Parameters
Calculates in real time as you adjust inputs or click presets.
Worked Scenario: Buying a $32,000 Vehicle in Texas
Here is how the numbers break down when purchasing a $32,000 car with a $6,000 trade-in allowance in Texas:
| Line Item | Calculation Rule | Amount ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Agreed Price | Base vehicle purchase price | $32,000.00 |
| Less Trade-In Allowance | Deducted from vehicle equity | -$6,000.00 |
| Taxable Purchase Amount | Price minus trade-in (Credit applies) | $26,000.00 |
| Texas Sales Tax (6.25%) | $26,000.00 × 6.25% | $1,625.00 |
| Dealer Documentation Fee | No statutory cap; Texas OCCC requires administrative fi... | $150.00 |
| DMV Title & Registration | Official state titling and plate fee | $180.00 |
| Total Out-the-Door Due | Net balance + tax + fees | $27,955.00 |
Texas Motor Vehicle Tax Laws & Regulations
When purchasing a car in Texas, 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 Texas Tax Code § 152.021.
1. Sales Tax Assessment & Surtaxes
Under Texas Tax Code § 152.021, Texas imposes a flat 6.25% motor vehicle sales and use tax statewide. No local sales tax is added to vehicle purchases.
2. Trade-In Tax Deduction Rules
Trade-in credit applies in full under Texas Tax Code § 152.041. Tax is assessed on the purchase price minus the trade-in allowance.
3. Dealer Documentation Fees & Ceilings
No statutory cap; Texas OCCC requires administrative filing for doc fees over $150 (averages $150 to $300). Learn how this compares with other jurisdictions in our complete Dealer Doc Fees by State Directory.
Local DMV & County Fee Variations in Texas
While state tax rates provide the baseline, local county surtaxes and DMV plate fees vary across Texas jurisdictions:
| County / Metropolitan Area | Combined Vehicle Tax Rate | DMV Plate & Title Fee | Typical Dealer Doc Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harris County (Houston) | 6.25% | $50.75 + $11.50 local | $150-$250 |
| Dallas County (Dallas) | 6.25% | $50.75 + $10.00 local | $150-$275 |
| Tarrant County (Fort Worth) | 6.25% | $50.75 + $10.00 local | $150-$250 |
| Bexar County (San Antonio) | 6.25% | $50.75 + $11.50 local | $150-$225 |
| Travis County (Austin) | 6.25% | $50.75 + $11.50 local | $150-$280 |
| Collin County (Plano) | 6.25% | $50.75 + $10.00 local | $150-$250 |
Cross-Border & Private-Party Buying Rules
If you purchase a vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, you pay motor vehicle sales tax to Texas 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: