AutoTaxCalculatorPA auto sales tax: 6%, 7% or 8%
Sales tax on a car in PA is 6% of the price after your trade-in. If you live in Allegheny County it's 7%, and in Philadelphia it's 8%. Those are the only two places in Pennsylvania with a local add-on.
Pennsylvania auto sales tax works the same way for new and used cars, and from dealers and private sellers. What changes the rate is your home address, because the 1% Allegheny County tax and the 2% Philadelphia tax follow where you live and register the car, not where the dealership is. A Philadelphia resident buying a car in Montgomery County still pays 8%.
| Where you live | State | Local | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most of Pennsylvania (65 of 67 counties) | 6% | 0% | 6% |
| Allegheny County (incl. Pittsburgh) | 6% | 1% | 7% |
| City and County of Philadelphia | 6% | 2% | 8% |
Sales tax in PA on cars, by price
Here's Pennsylvania automobile sales tax at four prices, after any trade-in, for each of the three rates. These are the amounts a dealer or the PennDOT agent will collect.
| Taxable price | Most of PA (6%) | Allegheny County (7%) | Philadelphia (8%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $900 | $1,050 | $1,200 |
| $25,000 | $1,500 | $1,750 | $2,000 |
| $35,000 | $2,100 | $2,450 | $2,800 |
| $50,000 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,000 |
On a $35,000 car, living in Philadelphia rather than the suburbs next door adds $700 to the PA car tax. That's why the address on your registration matters more than where you buy. PA sales tax on vehicles also applies the same way to trucks, SUVs and motorcycles.
How to calculate sales tax on a car in Pennsylvania
- Start with the purchase price.
- Subtract your trade-in if you traded a vehicle on the same deal.
- Multiply by 6%, or 7% or 8% if you live in Allegheny County or Philadelphia.
- Add the title fee, registration and any lien recording or agent fees.
Example 1: a $28,000 car with an $8,000 trade-in, Pittsburgh
- Taxable price: $28,000 − $8,000 = $20,000
- Sales tax at 7%: $1,400.00
- With the $72 title and $48 registration: $1,520.00
Example 2: a $30,000 car in Philadelphia, no trade-in
- Sales tax at 8%: $2,400.00
- The same car outside Philadelphia and Allegheny County would cost $1,800, which is $600 less.
Trade-ins and rebates
Pennsylvania lets you subtract the value of a vehicle you trade in as part of the purchase, so you pay tax only on the difference. Trading a $10,000 car saves $600 at the 6% rate, $700 in Allegheny County and $800 in Philadelphia. Selling your old car privately doesn't reduce the tax on the new one. Manufacturer rebates usually don't reduce the taxable price either.
Private sales and title transfers
Pennsylvania doesn't let you just sign a title over in a parking lot. Both buyer and seller go to an authorized PennDOT agent (a tag and title service or notary) to complete the transfer, and that's where the buyer pays the sales tax, title fee and registration. Sales tax is based on the purchase price you report. A price far below what the car is worth can be questioned. Certain transfers between family members can be exempt from sales tax; the agent can tell you whether yours qualifies and which form to use.
PA title, tags and registration fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passenger vehicle registration (1 year) | $48 |
| Motorcycle registration | $25 |
| Motor home registration (Class 1 / 2 / 3) | $88 / $123 / $158 |
| Certificate of title | $72* |
| Trucks | By weight class |
Registration amounts are the ones PennDOT set under Act 89, effective April 16, 2025, which adjusts many fees every two years in line with inflation. *The title fee is as listed on PennDOT's current Schedule of Fees (form MV-70S); confirm it with your agent, along with any lien recording fee if the car is financed. Some counties also charge a small annual fee for local use with the registration.
Pickup truck registration fees
Pickups and other trucks are registered by their registered gross weight, from the lightest class up through heavy commercial trucks. A typical half-ton or three-quarter-ton pickup falls in one of the lower weight classes. PennDOT's vehicle registration fee chart on form MV-70S lists every class and its current fee. Our PA registration fee calculator has the full truck chart and the EV road user charge.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pennsylvania sales tax on cars?
6% of the price after trade-in, or 7% if you live in Allegheny County and 8% if you live in Philadelphia.
Do I pay Philadelphia sales tax if I buy a car outside the city?
Yes, if you live in Philadelphia. The local rate follows the buyer's residence, so a Philadelphia resident pays 8% wherever in Pennsylvania the car is bought.
Is there sales tax on used cars in PA?
Yes, at the same rates as new cars. On a private sale you pay it through the PennDOT agent who handles the title transfer.
How much is a PA title transfer?
The certificate of title fee, plus sales tax on the price, registration if you need new plates, and the agent's own service fee.
Can I register a car in Pennsylvania for two years?
Yes, passenger vehicles can be registered for one or two years. Two years costs twice the annual fee.
Sources
- PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services Bulletin 25-07C (Act 89 fee adjustments, April 16, 2025)
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue: sales and use tax
- PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services (form MV-70S, Schedule of Fees)
This calculator gives an estimate. Your PennDOT agent calculates the final amount. How we calculate