Texas Car Sales Tax Calculator
Estimate the 6.25% Texas motor vehicle tax for a dealer or private-party purchase, with the correct rules for trade-ins and Standard Presumptive Value.
Last verified: October 2026Your itemized estimate will appear here.
Included in your estimate
What this Texas car sales tax calculator includes
This tool estimates the Texas motor vehicle sales or use tax due on a dealer purchase or a private-party purchase. It applies the statewide 6.25% rate and shows the taxable amount before calculating the tax.
- Dealer vehicle price, eligible trade-in value and dealer discount
- Private-party purchase price and TxDMV Standard Presumptive Value (SPV)
- The 80% SPV rule when it applies
- A qualifying certified appraisal without reducing the taxable amount below the actual purchase price
This page estimates motor vehicle tax only. Use the Texas TTL calculator for title, registration and other known government charges.
Calculation method
How Texas vehicle sales tax is calculated
Dealer purchase
Start with the selling price, subtract an eligible vehicle trade-in completed in the same transaction, then subtract any dealer discount. Multiply the remaining taxable amount by 6.25%.
(Vehicle price - eligible trade-in - dealer discount) × 6.25%
Private-party purchase
For a typical private-party used-vehicle sale, compare the purchase price with 80% of the vehicle's SPV. Tax is normally based on the higher amount. If a legally qualifying certified appraisal is used, the taxable amount is the higher of the purchase price or certified appraised value.
Rules that change the result
Important Texas car sales tax rules
- Trade-in value is not trade equity. A loan payoff does not reduce the trade-in deduction. Use the value allowed for the eligible trade itself.
- Dealer discounts can reduce the taxable amount. Enter a true price reduction from the dealer, not a down payment.
- SPV matters mainly in private sales. It helps prevent an understated purchase price from setting the tax base.
- A certified appraisal cannot push the base below the price paid. The actual purchase price remains the floor.
- No ordinary local sales-tax add-on applies. Texas motor vehicle tax is not calculated by adding city and county general sales-tax rates.
Worked examples
Texas car sales tax examples
Dealer purchase with a trade-in
- Vehicle price
- $30,000
- Eligible trade-in
- -$10,000
- Taxable amount
- $20,000
- Texas tax at 6.25%
- $1,250
Private sale using SPV
- Purchase price
- $2,000
- TxDMV SPV
- $5,000
- 80% of SPV
- $4,000
- Tax on $4,000 at 6.25%
- $250
Texas buyer questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the Texas car sales tax rate?
Texas motor vehicle sales and use tax is 6.25% of the applicable taxable amount.
Does a trade-in reduce Texas car sales tax?
Yes, when the vehicle qualifies as a trade-in and is part of the same dealer transaction. The allowed trade-in value reduces the taxable amount.
Does the amount I owe on my trade-in change the tax deduction?
No. Tax treatment uses the eligible trade-in value, not the positive or negative equity after subtracting your loan payoff.
What is Texas Standard Presumptive Value?
SPV is a TxDMV value used for many private-party used-vehicle sales. The normal taxable base is the greater of the purchase price or 80% of SPV.
Can a certified appraisal lower private-party vehicle tax?
A qualifying appraisal may replace the SPV-based amount, but the taxable base cannot be lower than the actual purchase price.
Do Texas cities or counties add sales tax to a vehicle purchase?
No ordinary city or county general sales-tax rate is added to the 6.25% Texas motor vehicle tax.