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New York · What a car really costs

Buying a car in New York.

New York charges sales and use tax of 4% at the state level, and local jurisdictions add their own, which brings a typical vehicle to about 8%. A trade-in does reduce the taxable price, which is real money on the deal.

8%
Typical combined tax on a vehicle
Full credit
Trade-in reduces the taxable price
$50.00
Title fee
$59
Registration, typical new car
$175
Doc fee, capped by law

How the tax works.

Local rate is the combined rate of the jurisdiction where the buyer resides (or where the vehicle is principally garaged), not the dealer's location. Per Publication 718 (2/25): most upstate counties 4.0% local (8% combined); NYC 4.875% (8.875%); Erie, Oneida, Suffolk 4.75%; Nassau 4.625%; Ontario 3.5%; Saratoga, Warren, Washington 3.0%.

Manufacturer rebates reimbursed to the dealer are taxable; only unreimbursed dealer rebates reduce the receipt (Publication 838 example).

Long-term leases (one year or more): tax on the total of all payments is due at inception at the lessee's home rate.

The 0.375% MCTD tax is included in the local rate for New York City and Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties.
Trade-ins: Trade-in allowance for a motor vehicle taken in trade by the dealer is deducted from the taxable receipt (Publication 838).

At the DMV.

FeeAmount
Title$50.00
Registration (weight-based)~$59
Plates$25.00
MCTD supplemental registration fee (2-year fee for residents of the 12 MCTD counties)$50.00
County vehicle use tax (2-year, 3,500 lbs or less in participating counties ($20 over 3,500 lbs; $30 in NYC/Nassau/Suffolk/Westchester))$10.00
Two-year passenger registration fee by weight (MV-202): 3,451-3,550 lbs $56.50; 3,551-3,650 lbs $59; 3,951-4,050 lbs $69; 6,951+ lbs $140. Add the $25 plate fee, a $10-$60 vehicle use tax in many counties, and the $50 (2-year) MCTD supplemental fee downstate.

Leasing in New York.

upfront on total

Cities in New York.

Pick your city for the exact combined rate where you register, plus what title and registration run there.

New YorkNew York CountyAlbanyAlbany CountyBrooklynKings CountyBuffaloErie CountyRochesterMonroe CountySyracuseOnondaga CountyBronxBronx CountyJamaicaQueens CountyStaten IslandRichmond CountySchenectadySchenectady County
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Questions.

How much is sales tax on a car in New York?

New York charges 4% at the state level and local jurisdictions add more, so a typical combined rate on a vehicle is about 8% and can reach 8.875% at the high end. The rate is set by where you live, so pick your city above for the exact figure.

Does a trade-in lower the sales tax in New York?

Trade-in allowance for a motor vehicle taken in trade by the dealer is deducted from the taxable receipt (Publication 838).

What are title and registration fees in New York?

Title is $50.00. Two-year passenger registration fee by weight (MV-202): 3,451-3,550 lbs $56.50; 3,551-3,650 lbs $59; 3,951-4,050 lbs $69; 6,951+ lbs $140. Add the $25 plate fee, a $10-$60 vehicle use tax in many counties, and the $50 (2-year) MCTD supplemental fee downstate.

Is the doc fee capped in New York?

Yes, at $175. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law 415(6-a): documentary fee capped at $175 (raised from $75 in 2019); most dealers charge the cap.

How is a lease taxed in New York?

upfront on total

Where these numbers come from.

Rates, fees, and rules change. These figures are estimates for planning, not tax advice; confirm the final numbers with the dealer and your state's motor vehicle agency before you buy.