What is the vehicle sales tax rate in Virginia?

Virginia charges a base motor-vehicle sales tax of 5.30% of the purchase price. That works out to about $53.00 of tax per $1,000 of price before any trade-in credit.

Does a trade-in reduce Virginia car sales tax?

Yes. Virginia applies the 5.30% rate to the price minus your trade-in value, so a trade-in lowers the taxable amount. On a $30,000 car with a $5,000 trade-in you are taxed on $25,000, which is $1,325.00 at 5.30%.

How much tax will I pay on a $30,000 car in Virginia?

With no trade-in, 5.30% of $30,000 is $1,590.00. With a $5,000 trade-in the taxable amount drops to $25,000 and the tax is $1,325.00.

Are dealer fees or rebates taxed in Virginia?

This calculator uses the base 5.30% state rate on the net price after trade-in. Manufacturer rebates, documentation fees, and local add-on taxes can change the exact figure, so treat the result as a close estimate.

Is the 5.30% rate the only tax I pay in Virginia?

The 5.30% figure is the statewide base motor-vehicle rate. Some Virginia purchases also carry local or county add-ons plus title and registration fees, which this tool does not include. Confirm the total with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Virginia Vehicle Sales Tax Calculator

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The Virginia Vehicle Sales Tax Calculator estimates the sales tax you will owe when buying a car in Virginia. Virginia levies a base motor-vehicle sales tax of 5.30% on the purchase price. Like most states, Virginia gives you a trade-in credit, so the tax is charged on the price after subtracting the value of any vehicle you trade in.

How it works

The tax is a flat percentage of the taxable amount, which is the price minus your trade-in:

taxableAmount = price - tradeIn
salesTax      = taxableAmount x 0.053   (5.30%)
total         = price + salesTax

At 5.30%, every $1,000 of taxable price adds about $53.00 of tax. The trade-in lowers the taxable amount but you still pay the full negotiated price to the dealer; the calculator shows the out-the-door total as price plus tax.

Example

Buy a $30,000.00 car and trade in a vehicle worth $5,000.00 in Virginia:

taxableAmount = $30,000.00 - $5,000.00 = $25,000.00
salesTax      = $25,000.00 x 0.053 = $1,325.00
total         = $30,000.00 + $1,325.00 = $31,325.00

So you owe about $1,325.00 in Virginia sales tax and pay roughly $31,325.00 before title and registration.

Notes

This is an estimate only and not tax or financial advice. The 5.30% base rate is statewide, but local or county add-on taxes, documentation fees, manufacturer rebates, and title/registration costs can change your final bill. Confirm the exact amount with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles or your dealer. All math runs in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.