Car payment calculator: Texas

Your monthly car payment in Texas, with the state's 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax worked out after your trade-in credit.

By the Calcist team · Checked against known answers · Updated October 28, 2026

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Estimates for planning, not financial, tax or legal advice. Figures use US rules unless the page says otherwise.

Next: Not sure what price fits your budget? Start with the car affordability calculator.

Texas car sales tax

The Texas Comptroller sets the motor vehicle sales tax at 6.25% of the sales price, minus any trade-in allowance. When you buy from a Texas dealer, the dealer collects the tax and sends it to the county tax assessor-collector. If you buy from a private seller, you pay the tax at your county tax office when you title the car, and it's charged on the higher of the price or the car's standard presumptive value (SPV). You must title the car in your name within 30 days of the sale.

Other Texas rules from the Comptroller: an even trade costs $5 in tax, and a new resident bringing a car already registered in their name elsewhere pays a $90 new resident tax instead.

Texas title and registration fees

The Texas DMV's base registration fee for cars and light trucks up to 6,000 pounds is $50.75 for 2026. Counties add local fees that vary, and inspection-related fees are collected at registration. The title application fee is collected by your county tax office (Tarrant County, for example, lists $33). Dealers can also charge a documentary fee. Because these vary, enter them in "Title, local and dealer fees", and ask the dealer for an out-the-door price in writing.

How it's calculated

Sales tax = 6.25% × (price − trade-in)
Amount financed = price − trade-in + owed on trade-in − cash down + tax + fees
Payment = A × i ÷ (1 − (1 + i)⁻ⁿ)

Worked example

You buy a $35,000 car in Texas, trade in a car worth $10,000 that's paid off, and put $3,000 down. Tax is 6.25% × $25,000 = $1,562.50, which is $625 less than the $2,187.50 you'd owe with no trade-in. With the $50.75 registration fee you finance $23,613.25. At 7% for 60 months the payment is $467.57, with $4,440.99 in interest.

Limitations

Local county fees, inspection fees, the title fee and dealer fees aren't filled in for you, because they vary.
Electric vehicles pay an extra $200 a year at registration ($400 for a new EV registered for two years).
It assumes a simple interest loan with a fixed rate. Dealer add-ons like service contracts add to the amount financed.

Buying in another state? Use the auto loan calculator and enter your state's tax rate.

Sources

How we checked this

Before every update, this calculator is run in a real browser with these known answers, and it must match all of them:

$35,000 car, $10,000 trade-in, $3,000 down, $50.75 registration, 7% for 60 months: $467.57 ✓
Same: Texas tax 6.25% × $25,000 = $1,562.50 ✓
No trade-in, no down: $737.36 ✓
$30,000 car, $8,000 trade-in with $10,000 owed, $2,000 down, $150 other fees, 6.5% for 72 months: $530.79 ✓
Trade-in worth more than the car: nothing to finance ✓

Last checked October 26, 2026. Spotted something wrong? The math is done in your browser with the formula shown on this page, so you can check any result by hand.

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Questions people ask

What is the sales tax on a car in Texas?

6.25% of the sales price minus any trade-in allowance, according to the Texas Comptroller. On a $35,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in, that's $1,562.50.

Does Texas give a tax credit for a trade-in?

Yes. The tax is figured on the price minus the trade-in allowance, so a $10,000 trade-in saves $625 in tax.

How much are title and registration in Texas?

The base registration fee is $50.75 for cars and light trucks, plus county fees that vary. The title fee is collected by your county tax office. Ask the dealer for the full out-the-door price.

Do I pay sales tax on a used car from a private seller in Texas?

Yes, 6.25%, on the higher of the price you paid or the standard presumptive value. You pay it when you title the car at the county tax office, within 30 days of the sale.

Can I roll Texas sales tax into my car loan?

Usually, yes. Dealers often include tax and fees in the amount financed, which is how this calculator works. You'll pay interest on them.

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