How Ohio taxes car purchases
- State vehicle tax rate
- 5.75%
- Trade-in lowers the tax
- Yes
- Tax cap
- None
- Source
- Official source, checked 2026-10-05
These are the rules for a new car bought from a dealer. Used-car and private-sale rules can differ. How we check this data.
Ohio charges 5.75% at the state level. A trade-in lowers the tax only when buying a new vehicle, not a used one. County taxes add more. That rate is higher than 26 states and lower than 24 states. County and city taxes may add to it, so check your local rate and enter the total in the calculator.
What to know in Ohio
Ohio's 5.75% state rate is joined by a county rate, and the county rate that applies is the one where you live, not where you buy the car.
Ohio's trade-in rule is unusual: a trade-in reduces the taxable price only when you're buying a new vehicle. If you buy a used car and trade one in, you pay tax on the full used-car price. The calculator shows new-car rules, so if you're buying used in Ohio, enter the trade-in but expect the tax to be higher than shown.
Does Ohio tax your trade-in?
No. Ohio only taxes the difference between the new car's price and your trade-in. On a $35,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in, you'd pay $1,437.50 in state tax instead of $2,012.50, a saving of $575.00. That saving is worth counting when you compare a dealer's trade-in offer with selling the car yourself.
Example: a car loan in Ohio
A $35,000 car with $5,000 down, $1,500 in fees, and a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR ($2,012.50 state tax, rolled into the loan):
- Monthly payment: $655.71
- Amount financed: $33,513
- Total interest: $5,830
- Total cost of the car: $44,343
Change any number in the calculator above to see your own figures.
Rebates and fees
The calculator charges tax on the price before any manufacturer rebate. Ask the dealer how Ohio treats your specific rebate. Title, registration and dealer documentation fees vary, so ask for an itemized out-the-door price and put the fee total in the calculator.
Other states
States with similar vehicle tax rates: