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Texas · What a car really costs

Buying a car in Texas.

Texas charges motor vehicle sales tax of 6.25% statewide on vehicles, with no local add-on. A trade-in does reduce the taxable price, which is real money on the deal.

6.25%
Motor vehicle sales tax on a vehicle
Full credit
Trade-in reduces the taxable price
$33.00
Title fee
$74
Registration, typical new car
~$150
Doc fee, typical (no cap)

How the tax works.

Texas charges 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax statewide with no city, county or transit add-on on vehicle sales.

Manufacturer rebates do not reduce the taxable total consideration (the rebate is a payment by a third party); dealer discounts do.

Title application fee is $28 or $33 depending on the county ($33 in most metro counties).

Trade-ins: Tax is due on the total consideration less the value of a motor vehicle taken in trade (Tax Code 152.002).

At the DMV.

FeeAmount
Title$33.00
Registration~$74
Processing and handling fee (annual)$4.75
County local fees (road & bridge, child safety) (annual; $0-$31.50 by county)$11.50
Base registration $50.75 for cars and light trucks plus a $4.75 processing and handling fee and local county fees of $0-$31.50 (most counties $10-$11.50; Bexar and Cameron $21.50). Plates included. EVs add $200 per year.

Leasing in Texas.

6.25% motor vehicle sales tax is paid by the lessor on the vehicle's purchase price at titling and passed through in the lease; no tax on the monthly payments

Cities in Texas.

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

HoustonHarris CountyEl PasoEl Paso CountyDallasDallas CountySan AntonioBexar CountyAustinTravis CountyFort WorthTarrant CountyCorpus ChristiNueces CountyAmarilloPotter CountyLubbockLubbock CountyArlingtonTarrant County
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Questions.

How much is sales tax on a car in Texas?

6.25%. Texas applies one rate statewide on vehicles, so it does not change from city to city.

Does a trade-in lower the sales tax in Texas?

Tax is due on the total consideration less the value of a motor vehicle taken in trade (Tax Code 152.002).

What are title and registration fees in Texas?

Title is $33.00. Base registration $50.75 for cars and light trucks plus a $4.75 processing and handling fee and local county fees of $0-$31.50 (most counties $10-$11.50; Bexar and Cameron $21.50). Plates included. EVs add $200 per year.

Is the doc fee capped in Texas?

No. Texas sets no statutory cap, and dealers typically charge around $150. No statutory cap, but the fee must be 'reasonable'; dealers charging more than $225 must notify the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (safe-harbor threshold effective July 2024, secondary). Typical $150 per CarEdge (secondary).

How is a lease taxed in Texas?

6.25% motor vehicle sales tax is paid by the lessor on the vehicle's purchase price at titling and passed through in the lease; no tax on the monthly payments

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.