Carji.Net

Pennsylvania car sales tax and fees

Pennsylvania charges 6% state sales tax on a vehicle purchase. County, city and district tax adds between 0% and 2% depending on where you live (0% is typical).

State vehicle tax
6%
Local tax
Up to 2%
Trade-in lowers tax
Yes
Doc fee cap
$490
Title fee
$72.00
EV fee
$250

How Pennsylvania taxes a car purchase

  • State rate: 6% of the price.
  • County, city and district tax adds between 0% and 2% depending on where you live (0% is typical).
  • Pennsylvania taxes the price minus your trade-in, so a trade-in lowers the tax.

Fees

  • Title: $72.00.
  • Registration: Passenger vehicle registration $48 (plate included at first issuance) plus the $5 county fee for local use most counties levy (2026 PennDOT schedule).
  • Dealer documentation fees are capped at $490. The doc fee is not taxed.
  • Electric vehicles pay an extra $250, plug-in hybrids $63.

Drafted from the state's tax table and its fee schedule. Not every figure has been checked by hand yet, so confirm with the dealer or the DMV before you sign.

Worked example

Out-the-door

Estimate

A $40,000 gas car (destination included, 3,500 lb) bought in Philadelphia, ZIP 19102, no trade-in

Vehicle price$40,000.00
Documentation fee (typical here)$490.00
Title$72.00
Registration$53.00
Sales tax (6% state + 2% local)$3,200.00
Total$43,815.00

What this estimate rests on

1 item is missing or approximate, so the real figure will differ.

  • Approximate

    No documentation fee was entered, so the typical PA dealer figure of $490 is used (the state caps it at $490). Enter the fee on your quote to replace it.

  • Unchecked

    Fee rules for PA have not been checked against the state's own notice.

  • Unchecked

    This rate has not been checked against the taxing authority’s published table.

For a specific car, open it and use Out-the-door price with your ZIP code and the dealer's quote. Browse cars →

Buying in Pennsylvania

Car dealers in Pennsylvania Gas stations in Pennsylvania EV chargers in Pennsylvania

Common questions

What is the sales tax on a car in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania charges 6% state sales tax on a vehicle purchase. County, city and district tax adds between 0% and 2% depending on where you live (0% is typical).

Does Pennsylvania tax the trade-in?

Pennsylvania taxes the price minus your trade-in, so a trade-in lowers the tax.

What is the out-the-door price of a $40,000 car in Pennsylvania?

About $43,815 in Philadelphia, including $3,200 of sales tax and state title and registration fees.

Other states