Arizona·Updated for 2026·Figures in USD · the dealer’s city and county set the local rate
Arizona Car Sales Tax and VLT Calculator (2026)
Arizona charges 5.6% state tax plus the dealer's city and county rates, on the price less any trade-in. Every year you also pay the vehicle license tax (VLT), worked from the car's original MSRP. Title is $4 and registration $8. Enter the MSRP and your local rate for the full figure.
Your purchase
$
What you pay for the vehicle
$
Taken off the price on the same purchase
Look it up with the Arizona Department of Revenue tax rate table, then enter it here. Blank means the state rate only
%
$
The manufacturer's base retail price when new. The vehicle license tax (first year) is worked from it
Full years. A 2023 car first registered in 2023 is 3 years in 2026
years
Enter the purchase price. Your Arizona tax, title and license estimate appears here as you type — there is no button to press.
Calculating
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This is a planning estimate, not the exact number a dealer or MVD will quote. Local rates and fees change, so check the ADOR rate table and MVD before you buy.
The state rate is 5.6%: 5% for the retail classification (A.R.S. 42-5010) plus 0.6% through June 2041 (A.R.S. 42-5010.01). Counties and cities add their own rates, and on a dealer sale the tax is sourced to the dealer's business location. On a new $30,000 car, the state part is $1,680.00, and each 1% of local rate adds $300. A $10,000 trade-in cuts the state part to $1,120.00.
How the vehicle license tax falls each year
The VLT value is 60% of the manufacturer's base retail price in the first year, and 16.25% less each year after. The rate is $2.80 per $100 for a new vehicle's first registration and $2.89 after that, with a $10 minimum. For a car with a $30,000 MSRP:
Registration year
Vehicle license tax
Year 1
$504.00
Year 2
$435.67
Year 3
$364.87
Year 4
$305.58
Year 5
$255.92
Year 6
$214.34
Year 10
$105.45
Buying used? Enter the original MSRP and the number of full years since the car was first registered; the calculator works out this year's VLT.
Arizona title and registration fees
Fee
Amount
Source
Certificate of title
$4
A.R.S. 28-2003
Registration
$8 a year
A.R.S. 28-2003
Air quality fee
$1.50 a year
A.R.S. 49-551
Vehicle license tax
Every year, from 60% of MSRP
A.R.S. 28-5801
Arizona car tax FAQ
How much is sales tax on a car in Arizona?
The state rate is 5.6% (5% plus a 0.6% education rate), plus the county and city rates where the dealer is. On a $30,000 car the state part is $1,680.00; each 1% of local rate adds $300.
Does a trade-in lower Arizona car sales tax?
Yes. Arizona excludes the value of a trade-in taken off the price on the same purchase. A $10,000 trade-in on a $30,000 car cuts the state tax from $1,680.00 to $1,120.00.
What is the vehicle license tax (VLT)?
An annual tax paid with registration instead of a property tax. It is worked from 60% of the manufacturer's base retail price, falling 16.25% for each year since first registration, at $2.80 per $100 for a new vehicle and $2.89 after that. On a $30,000 MSRP car it is $504.00 in the first year.
Is the VLT based on what I paid?
No. It is based on the manufacturer's base retail price (MSRP) when new, whatever you paid. A used car keeps its original MSRP; only the number of years since first registration changes the value.
How much are Arizona title and registration fees?
A certificate of title is $4 and registration is $8 (A.R.S. 28-2003). An air quality fee of $1.50 is paid with registration every year (A.R.S. 49-551).
Do I pay sales tax on a private sale in Arizona?
Arizona's transaction privilege tax is a tax on businesses selling at retail, so this calculator covers dealer sales. The sources we checked do not state how MVD treats a private sale, so ask MVD before you register.
Are you covering other states?
Yes. Texas, California, Florida, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, Michigan and Illinois are live too, and more states are added once their rates and fees are verified from each state's own pages. Each state uses its own published rules. Pick your state on the vehicle tax, title and license calculator by state.
Sales tax: 5% retail transaction privilege tax (A.R.S. 42-5010) plus 0.6% (A.R.S. 42-5010.01), plus county and city rates at the dealer’s location (A.R.S. 42-5040); a trade-in is excluded (A.R.S. 42-5001). Vehicle license tax: 60% of the base retail price, less 16.25% for each later year, at $2.80 per $100 new and $2.89 otherwise, minimum $10 (A.R.S. 28-5801). Title $4 and registration $8 (A.R.S. 28-2003); air quality fee $1.50 (A.R.S. 49-551).
