Ohio Vehicle Sales Tax Calculator: Tax, Title and License
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Ohio charges 5.75% state sales tax on a car plus your county’s rate, for 6.5% to 8% in total. The rate comes from the county where you live. On top of the tax, you pay an $18 title fee, $36 a year to register a passenger car, an $8 deputy registrar fee and any local permissive tax.
Use this Ohio vehicle sales tax calculator to estimate the tax, title and license cost of a new or used car, from a dealer or a private seller. The guide below explains each rule and shows the math.
Checked against the Ohio BMV fee page (updated January 5, 2026), Ohio Revised Code 5739.01 and the Ohio Department of Taxation on October 13, 2026. This is an independent estimate. Your county title office and deputy registrar set the final amount.
Ohio Car Tax and Fees at a Glance
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State sales tax | 5.75% | Same in every county |
| County sales tax | 0.75% to 2.25% | Based on the county where you live |
| Title fee | $18 | Some counties charge $23 |
| Passenger registration | $36 a year | Plus the deputy registrar fee |
| Deputy registrar fee | $8 for one year | $12 for two years |
| Local permissive tax | Up to $30 a year | Set by your taxing district |
| Hybrid / plug-in hybrid / EV fee | $100 / $150 / $200 a year | Added at registration |
| Out-of-state vehicle inspection | $8 | Cars titled in another state |
On this page14 sections
- Ohio Car Tax and Fees at a Glance
- How Ohio Car Sales Tax Is Calculated
- Ohio Vehicle Sales Tax Rates by County
- How Much Is Car Sales Tax in Ohio?
- Ohio Title, Registration and Plate Fees
- Private Car Sales in Ohio
- Buying Out of State or Moving to Ohio
- Ohio E-Check
- How to Estimate Ohio Tax, Title and License by Hand
- What This Estimate Includes
- What This Estimate Does Not Include
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Official Sources
How Ohio Car Sales Tax Is Calculated
Sales tax = (price + dealer fees − trade-in on a new car) × (5.75% + county rate)
Ohio dealers collect the tax at the rate of the county where you live, not where the dealer is. Live in Franklin County and buy in Delaware County, and you pay Franklin County’s rate. Ohio’s tax has no cap, unlike states such as South Carolina, which caps its one-time fee at $500.
Does a trade-in lower the tax in Ohio?
Only when you buy a new car from a new car dealer. Ohio law subtracts the trade-in credit from the price of a new motor vehicle. On a used car, the trade-in doesn’t lower the tax at all. Next door, Indiana gives trade-in credit on used cars too.
- Are rebates taxed in Ohio?
Yes. Under Ohio law, money a dealer receives from a third party, such as a manufacturer rebate, is part of the taxable price. A dealer discount that isn’t paid back by anyone else does lower the tax.
Is the dealer doc fee taxed?
Yes. The documentary fee is part of what you pay the dealer, so it’s included in the taxable price.
Ohio Vehicle Sales Tax Rates by County
| County (largest city) | Combined rate |
|---|---|
| Cuyahoga (Cleveland) | 8% |
| Franklin (Columbus) | 8% |
| Hamilton (Cincinnati) | 7.8% |
| Montgomery (Dayton) | 7.5% |
| Summit (Akron) | 6.75% |
| Stark (Canton) | 6.5% |
| Butler (Hamilton, Middletown) | 6.5% |
Ohio’s county rates change from time to time. Before you buy, check your exact rate with the Ohio Department of Taxation’s rate finder.
How Much Is Car Sales Tax in Ohio?
| Taxable price | At 6.5% | At 6.75% | At 7.5% | At 7.8% | At 8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $1,300 | $1,350 | $1,500 | $1,560 | $1,600 |
| $30,000 | $1,950 | $2,025 | $2,250 | $2,340 | $2,400 |
| $40,000 | $2,600 | $2,700 | $3,000 | $3,120 | $3,200 |
| $50,000 | $3,250 | $3,375 | $3,750 | $3,900 | $4,000 |
So a $30,000 car costs $2,400 in sales tax in Columbus or Cleveland and $1,950 in Canton.
Example 1: New car in Columbus
Assumptions: $38,000 price, $250 doc fee, $1,500 manufacturer rebate, $12,000 trade-in, Franklin County (8%), one-year registration.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price + doc fee (rebate isn’t subtracted) | $38,250.00 |
| Minus trade-in (allowed on a new car) | − $12,000.00 |
| Taxable price | $26,250.00 |
| Sales tax at 8% | $2,100.00 |
| Title fee | $18.00 |
| Registration | $36.00 |
| Deputy registrar fee | $8.00 |
| Estimated total before permissive tax | $2,162.00 |
Add your area’s local permissive tax, up to $30. Add $200 if it’s an EV.
Example 2: Used car with a trade-in in Cincinnati
You buy a $20,000 used car from a dealer and trade in a car worth $5,000. Because the car is used, the trade-in doesn’t count. Tax is $20,000 × 7.8% = $1,560. On a new car, the same deal would be taxed on $15,000 for $1,170.
Example 3: Private sale in Akron
You pay a private seller $9,000 and live in Summit County. Tax is $9,000 × 6.75% = $607.50, paid at the county clerk of courts title office when you transfer the title.
Ohio Title, Registration and Plate Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of title | $18 ($23 in some counties) |
| Passenger registration | $36 a year |
| Deputy registrar fee | $8 (1 year), $12 (2 years), up to $24 (5 years) |
| Local permissive tax | Up to $30 a year, in $5 steps |
| Plate or registration transfer | $9 |
| Replace two plates | $16.25 |
| Temporary tag | $23 |
| Late renewal (more than 30 days) | $10 |
A standard one-year renewal costs $44 plus your permissive tax. Multi-year renewals multiply the yearly fee and permissive tax by the number of years.
Ohio EV and hybrid fees
Ohio adds a yearly fuel-type fee at registration: $100 for hybrids, $150 for plug-in hybrids and $200 for electric vehicles. For comparison, Washington charges $225 for EVs.
Private Car Sales in Ohio
A private (casual) sale is taxed at the same state and county rate. The seller doesn’t collect it. You pay it to the county clerk of courts title office when you transfer the title, based on the price you paid.
The tax is due on everything you give for the car. If you swap cars with someone, tax is due on the value of what you traded. Ohio uses the actual price, unlike states such as Illinois, which taxes private sales with a flat table.
Buying Out of State or Moving to Ohio
Ohio residents who buy a car in another state pay Ohio tax at their county rate when they title it here. Any sales tax already paid to the other state is credited, so you pay only the difference. Bring proof of the tax you paid.
Nonresidents who buy from an Ohio dealer and title the car in their home state follow special rules that depend on that state. Ask the dealer how they apply to you.
New residents titling a car from another state need an out-of-state inspection ($8) before the Ohio title is issued.
See also: Pennsylvania: a 6% state tax plus local add-ons.
See also: Maryland: a 6.5% excise tax at titling.
Ohio E-Check
Cars registered in seven Northeast Ohio counties (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit) need an emissions test, called E-Check, every other year once they’re about six years old. Brand-new cars are exempt at first. Ohio has no yearly safety inspection for passenger cars.
How to Estimate Ohio Tax, Title and License by Hand
- Start with the price and add the doc fee.
- Subtract your trade-in only if the car is new. Don’t subtract a rebate.
- Find your county rate and add it to 5.75%.
- Multiply the taxable price by that rate.
- Add the $18 title fee.
- Add $36 registration, the $8 deputy registrar fee and your permissive tax.
- Add $100, $150 or $200 for a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or EV.
What This Estimate Includes
- 5.75% state and county sales tax
- Trade-in credit on new cars only
- Rebates taxed
- $18 title and $36 registration
- Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV fees
What This Estimate Does Not Include
- Deputy registrar fee and local permissive tax (shown as a note)
- Specialty or personalized plates
- Dealer add-ons you choose to buy
- E-Check and out-of-state inspection
- Insurance and loan costs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Subtracting a trade-in on a used car. It only counts on a new car.
- Subtracting the rebate. Ohio taxes it.
- Using the dealer’s county. Your home county sets the rate.
- Forgetting the permissive tax and deputy registrar fee. They’re added at every renewal.
- Missing the fuel-type fee on a hybrid, plug-in or EV.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the sales tax on a car in Ohio?
It’s 5.75% state tax plus your county’s rate, for 6.5% to 8% in total, based on where you live.
How do I use an Ohio vehicle sales tax calculator?
Enter the price and doc fee, subtract a trade-in only on a new car, and apply your county’s combined rate. Then add title and registration fees.
How much is tax on a $30,000 car in Ohio?
About $1,950 to $2,400, depending on your county. In Columbus or Cleveland it’s $2,400.
Do I pay sales tax on a used car from a private seller in Ohio?
Yes. You pay it at the county clerk of courts title office when you transfer the title, at your county’s rate.
How much is a title in Ohio?
An Ohio title costs $18. Some counties charge $23.
How much is the Ohio EV fee?
It’s $200 a year for an EV, $150 for a plug-in hybrid and $100 for a hybrid.
Official Sources
- Ohio BMV: Documents and Fees
- Ohio Revised Code 5739.01: Definitions (price, trade-ins, casual sales)
- Ohio Department of Taxation: Sales and Use Tax
- Ohio Department of Taxation: Vehicle Transfer Audit, casual sales (presentation)
- Ohio E-Check Program
This page is an independent estimate tool and guide. It isn’t affiliated with the Ohio BMV, the Ohio Department of Taxation or any county title office. Rates and fees can change, so confirm your final amount before you pay.
William researches vehicle taxes, title fees, registration charges and DMV requirements across the United States. His work focuses on turning state-specific fee schedules, tax guidance, registration requirements and statutory information into practical explanations for vehicle buyers and owners. He cross-checks calculator inputs against official state revenue departments, motor vehicle agencies and published fee schedules, paying particular attention to differences between sales tax, title fees, registration charges and local or county taxes. He also reviews state-level changes so that calculator results and supporting articles reflect the latest available requirements rather than relying on outdated third-party estimates.
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