Taxes and fees on a $30,000 new car, by state
Government costs only: no doc fee, rebate or trade-in. Local rates use the city of Los Angeles (CA), Hillsborough County (FL) and Harris County (TX).
| State | Tax | Tax | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Sales / use tax | $3,075.00 | $495.00 | $3,570.00 |
| Texas | Motor vehicle sales tax | $1,875.00 | $108.50 | $1,983.50 |
| Florida | Sales tax + county surtax | $1,875.00 | $363.85 | $2,238.85 |
| North Carolina | Highway use tax (HUT) | $900.00 | $113.00 | $1,013.00 |
| Georgia | Title ad valorem tax (TAVT) | $2,100.00 | $38.00 | $2,138.00 |
Why the out-the-door price is higher than the sticker
The out-the-door (OTD) price is the total you pay to drive the car away: the vehicle price, minus rebates, plus the dealer's documentation fee, sales or use tax, and the state's title and registration fees. On a typical new car, taxes and fees add between 4% and 12% to the price.
The rules change a lot from state to state. California taxes the full price even if you trade in a car. Florida's county surtax only applies to the first $5,000. North Carolina charges a 3% highway use tax instead of sales tax, and Georgia charges a one-time title ad valorem tax. Generic sales tax calculators miss these rules, so we built one that follows them.
How to use the out-the-door price
- Ask the dealer for an itemized OTD quote in writing and compare it line by line with your result.
- Negotiate the total, not the monthly payment. The OTD price is the number that matters.
- Check the doc fee. Some states cap it (California $85); others don't.