Editorial policy

1. Sources we accept

Tax rates, fee amounts, deadlines and rules must come from a primary source:

• State departments of revenue and finance
• State DMVs and motor vehicle divisions
• County clerks, treasurers, auditors and assessors
• State statutes, administrative rules, revenue rulings and official publications

We read other websites, including other calculators, to find what people ask about, but we never take a rate or rule from them. If we can't confirm something with a primary source, we either leave it out or say clearly that it needs to be checked with the state.

2. How a calculator is built and checked

1. We read the state's current rules in full and record each source and the date we read it.
2. We write the formula in plain language. It's published on our How we calculate page.
3. We test the calculator against the state's own published examples or official calculator, including edge cases: zero trade-in, prices at bracket limits, caps and minimums.
4. A second check compares every number in the page text with the calculator and the source.

3. Writing standards

• Answer first. Each page opens with the direct answer, then explains it.
• Plain English. We explain legal terms like "single article tax" or "vehicle license fee" the first time we use them.
• Worked examples with real numbers on every calculator page.
• No guessing. Where an answer depends on your circumstances, we say so and point you to the office that decides.
• Original work. Every page is written for this site. We don't copy text from other publishers.

4. Updates

Each state page shows the date its rules were last checked. We review every state at least every three months and around January 1 and July 1, when most changes take effect. When a law changes, the calculator, the explanation and the checked date are updated together, so they never disagree.

5. Corrections

If we get something wrong, we fix it as soon as we've confirmed the correct rule with a primary source. Significant corrections, such as a wrong rate or a missing rule that changes results, are noted on the page with the date of the correction. To report an error, use our contact page. A link to the official source helps us act faster.

6. Independence and advertising

No advertiser, dealer, lender or partner can pay to change a calculation, a ranking or our editorial content. If the site carries advertising or affiliate links, they will be clearly separated from our content and will never be presented as part of a result.

7. Not advice

Our content explains how state rules work and estimates what you're likely to pay. It isn't tax, legal or financial advice for your specific situation. For that, talk to the state office handling your title and registration, or a qualified tax professional.