Official fees
California car sales tax chart
Statewide base rate
7.25%
With district taxes
up to 10.75%
varies by city/county district
Trade-in deduction
$0
California gives no credit
Family transfer (REG 256)
Exempt
spouse, DP, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling
Genuine gift (REG 256)
Exempt
write 'gift' on the title, no money changes hands
Out-of-state purchase
CA rate − tax paid elsewhere
credit for tax legally paid to the other state
Figures verified July 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the California DMV - counties can add small local fees.
- Rate range
- 7.25%–10.75%
- Based on
- Your garaging address
- Trade-in credit
- None
- Family transfer
- Tax-exempt
- True gifts
- Tax-exempt
Overview
The bright spots are the exemptions: genuine gifts and transfers between qualifying family members (spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling) owe zero use tax with a Statement of Facts (REG 256). This calculator covers the standard purchase, the missing trade-in credit, and the exempt cases.
Same state, other costs
More California vehicle costs
Common questions
California car sales tax FAQ
- What's the car sales tax in Los Angeles vs. San Francisco vs. San Diego?
- City of Los Angeles 9.5%, San Francisco 8.625%, City of San Diego 7.75% (2026 district rates - always confirm your exact address on CDTFA's lookup). The spread on a $30,000 car is over $500, purely based on where you live.
- Does California really give no trade-in tax credit?
- Really. You pay use tax on the full purchase price regardless of trade-in. On a $40,000 buy with a $15,000 trade at 9.5%, that's $1,425 more tax than a trade-in-credit state would charge. It's the single most expensive quirk of California car buying.
- How do family transfers avoid the tax?
- Transfers between spouse, registered domestic partner, parent/child, grandparent/grandchild, or siblings are statutorily exempt from use tax. File the title transfer with a completed Statement of Facts (REG 256) marking the family relationship. Note: aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws don't qualify.
- Will the DMV believe the low price I paid?
- The DMV reports private-sale prices to CDTFA, which compares them against market value. A price far below market can trigger a use-tax reassessment letter months later asking for proof (bill of sale, condition photos, repair estimates). Declare the real price and keep documentation.
- I'm buying from a private seller - when and where do I pay the tax?
- At the DMV (or an approved title-service provider) when you transfer the title, within 10 days of the sale. The DMV collects the use tax with the $15 transfer fee and registration in one payment - there's no separate CDTFA filing for a normal private purchase.
- Are electric vehicles or hybrids taxed differently?
- No - use tax applies at the same district rate. EV incentives in California come as rebates and grants (when funded), not sales-tax breaks. The EV-specific charge is the $121 annual Road Improvement Fee at renewal, separate from tax.
Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.
