District of Columbia Car Sales Tax Calculator
District of Columbia charges a vehicle excise tax (levied on issuance of a certificate of title, in lieu of sales tax on vehicles) of 1% to 11% of fair market value, by weight and fuel economy on a used car, verified September 15, 2026. The District's excise tax is a percentage of the vehicle's fair market value set by its weight class and city fuel economy, from 1% to 11%, not a rate on the price paid. Use the DC DMV excise table linked in the source column for the exact percentage. There is no local tax on top. A trade-in is not deducted: tax is charged on the full price. Private-party sales are taxed too, paid when you title the car.
Figures verified September 15, 2026; sources linked per row. Re-checked quarterly, next due December 15, 2026.
District of Columbia's tax is 1% to 11% of fair market value, by weight and fuel economy, so it cannot be computed from a price alone and no state figure is shown here. The District's excise tax is a percentage of the vehicle's fair market value set by its weight class and city fuel economy, from 1% to 11%, not a rate on the price paid. Use the DC DMV excise table linked in the source column for the exact percentage.
Taxable amount: $25,000. Tax only; dealer doc fees, title and registration are separate, and some states tax the doc fee as part of the price. The local figure is an estimate from the state's published range unless you entered your own rate.
The District of Columbia numbers, with sources
Each figure below was checked on September 15, 2026 against the page linked in the source column, and the wording the state uses is quoted so you can confirm it yourself.
| Item | District of Columbia | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State rate (Vehicle excise tax (levied on issuance of a certificate of title, in lieu of sales tax on vehicles)) | 1% to 11% of fair market value, by weight and fuel economy | dmv.dc.gov(state source)As published: “Fair Market Value (FMV) * MPG Taxable Percentage (%) = Excise Tax” |
| Local tax range | None | dmv.dc.gov(state source)As published: “Fair Market Value (FMV) * MPG Taxable Percentage (%) = Excise Tax” |
| Trade-in credit | No credit | code.dccouncil.gov(state source)As published: “at the following percentage of the fair market value of the motor vehicle or trailer at the time the certificate of title is issued” |
| Dealer doc fee | No cap (typically $800) | caredge.com(secondary, cites the statute)As published: “Washington DC: $800. This report is based on 93,200 verified out-the-door (OTD) price quotes collected between July 2025 and September 2026.” |
| Title fee | $30 | dmv.dc.gov(state source)As published: “Vehicle Title Only (New and Replacement) ... $30.00” |
| Registration (by weight) | $70 to $300 | dmv.dc.gov(state source)As published: “Annual Fees Effective March 30, 2026 ... $70.00 ... $175.00 ... $300.00” |
| Private-party sale taxed | Yes, paid when you title the car | code.dccouncil.gov(state source)As published: “there is levied and imposed an excise tax on the issuance of every original certificate of title for a motor vehicle or trailer in the District of Columbia and every subsequent certificate of title issued in the District of Columbia in the case of a sale” |
- State rate: The District's excise tax is a percentage of the vehicle's fair market value set by its weight class and city fuel economy, from 1% to 11%, not a rate on the price paid. Use the DC DMV excise table linked in the source column for the exact percentage.
- Local tax: The District is a single jurisdiction; no additional local tax applies.
- Doc fee: CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in District of Columbia at $800.
- Registration: Annual fees effective March 30, 2026: Class I (3,499 lb or less) $70; Class II (3,500 to 4,999 lb) $175; Class III (5,000 lb or more) $300; Class IV $550 plus $75 per 1,000 lb over 10,000 lb. Same figures in DC Code 50-1501.03(b)(1)(A).
Next steps
- Out-the-door price calculator: adds the District of Columbia doc fee, title and registration to the tax for the full figure.
- Dealer doc fees by state and registration and title fees by state: see how District of Columbia compares.
- All states: the full sales tax table.
Tax is fixed. The price is not.
CarWorthIt prices a specific VIN at its mileage against cars actually for sale near your ZIP code from $2.99. The $9.99 Negotiation Bundle adds an opening offer and a walk-away figure, so the number District of Columbia taxes is the right one.
District of Columbia car tax questions
Does District of Columbia charge sales tax on a private-party car sale?
Yes. The excise tax is paid to DC DMV when the buyer applies for the certificate of title; it is levied on every original and subsequent title issued on a sale, resale or gift (family gifts between spouses, parent and child, or domestic partners excepted). Tax is computed on fair market value (NADA Business Guide, Eastern Region) multiplied by the weight and mpg percentage, not on the price paid.
Does District of Columbia give a trade-in credit on car sales tax?
No. District of Columbia charges tax on the full purchase price; a trade-in lowers what you pay the dealer but not the tax.
What is the dealer doc fee cap in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia sets no legal cap on dealer doc fees. Dealers typically charge $800. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in District of Columbia at $800. If the dealer will not drop the fee, ask for the same amount off the price.
Do local sales taxes apply to car purchases in District of Columbia?
No. The District is a single jurisdiction; no additional local tax applies.
How much does a car title cost in District of Columbia?
$30 (flat). DC Code 50-2201.03: 'a $30 fee for each titling, duplicate titling, and retitling'.
How much is annual car registration in District of Columbia?
$70 to $300 a year for a passenger car, by weight. Annual fees effective March 30, 2026: Class I (3,499 lb or less) $70; Class II (3,500 to 4,999 lb) $175; Class III (5,000 lb or more) $300; Class IV $550 plus $75 per 1,000 lb over 10,000 lb. Same figures in DC Code 50-1501.03(b)(1)(A).
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