New Jersey Car Sales Tax Calculator
New Jersey charges 6.625% sales tax on a used car purchase, verified September 15, 2026. There is no local tax on top. A trade-in is deducted before tax. 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.
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 New Jersey 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 | New Jersey | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State rate (Sales Tax) | 6.625% | nj.gov(state source)As published: “As of January 1, 2018, the rate is 6.625% on the purchase price of a new or used vehicle.” |
| Local tax range | None | nj.gov(state source)As published: “As of January 1, 2018, the rate is 6.625% on the purchase price of a new or used vehicle.” |
| Trade-in credit | Yes, full credit | nj.gov(state source)As published: “The purchaser trades in a motor vehicle to a registered motor vehicle dealership that takes the trade-in for resale; and The contract for purchase of the motor vehicle and the trade-in are executed at the same time.” |
| Dealer doc fee | No cap (typically $713) | caredge.com(secondary, cites the statute)As published: “New Jersey: $713. This report is based on 93,200 verified out-the-door (OTD) price quotes collected between July 2025 and September 2026.” |
| Title fee | $60 | nj.gov(state source)As published: “Transfer of the title is $60 (or $85 with a lien).” |
| Registration (flat plus value or weight) | $35.50 to $84 | nj.gov(state source)As published: “7 | older than 2 years | Under 3,500 lbs. | $46.50 ... 8 | within 2 years | Over 3,500 lbs. | $84.00” |
| Private-party sale taxed | Yes, paid when you title the car | nj.gov(state source)As published: “However, if you cannot provide acceptable proof of the vehicle purchase price, you may be assessed Sales Tax based on the National Automobile Dealers Association (N.A.D.A.).” |
- Local tax: Single statewide rate; the Division of Taxation applies 6.625% to the vehicle purchase price with no county or municipal addition mentioned on any page fetched.
- Doc fee: No dollar cap. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-26B.3 only requires each documentary service to be itemized with its price in at least 10-point type, and dealers may not claim the fee is required by government. CarEdge (2026): average $713, range $45 to $1,306, from 2,468 verified quotes across 448 dealers. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in New Jersey at $713.
- Registration: Annual fee by weight class and model year. Current passenger cars: $46.50 (under 3,500 lbs, older than 2 years), $59.00 (under 3,500 lbs, within 2 years), $71.50 (over 3,500 lbs, older than 2 years), $84.00 (over 3,500 lbs, within 2 years). Pre-1980 vehicles pay $35.50 to $72.50. Plates included.
Next steps
- Out-the-door price calculator: adds the New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey taxes is the right one.
New Jersey car tax questions
Does New Jersey charge sales tax on a private-party car sale?
Yes. The buyer pays the 6.625% Sales Tax at the Motor Vehicle Commission when titling and registering the vehicle; the Division of Taxation's Casual Sales Unit may later send a notice if the reported price looks low. Tax is due on the price actually paid, but if the buyer cannot provide acceptable proof of the purchase price the Division may assess Sales Tax on the N.A.D.A. value.
Does New Jersey give a trade-in credit on car sales tax?
Yes. The value of your trade-in is deducted from the price before New Jersey tax is calculated.
What is the dealer doc fee cap in New Jersey?
New Jersey sets no legal cap on dealer doc fees. Dealers typically charge $713. No dollar cap. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-26B.3 only requires each documentary service to be itemized with its price in at least 10-point type, and dealers may not claim the fee is required by government. CarEdge (2026): average $713, range $45 to $1,306, from 2,468 verified quotes across 448 dealers. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in New Jersey at $713. 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 New Jersey?
No. Single statewide rate; the Division of Taxation applies 6.625% to the vehicle purchase price with no county or municipal addition mentioned on any page fetched.
How much does a car title cost in New Jersey?
$60 (flat; $85 when a lien is recorded). $110 for a financed vehicle with two liens (nj.gov/mvc/vehicles/reginitial.htm).
How much is annual car registration in New Jersey?
$35.50 to $84 a year for a passenger car, flat plus value or weight. Annual fee by weight class and model year. Current passenger cars: $46.50 (under 3,500 lbs, older than 2 years), $59.00 (under 3,500 lbs, within 2 years), $71.50 (over 3,500 lbs, older than 2 years), $84.00 (over 3,500 lbs, within 2 years). Pre-1980 vehicles pay $35.50 to $72.50. Plates included.
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