How car sales tax works in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania charges 6% sales tax on the price minus your trade-in. Residents of Allegheny County pay 7% and residents of the City of Philadelphia pay 8%. The rate depends on where you live, not where you buy.
- Trade-in credit: tax is charged on the difference between the price and the value of your trade-in.
- The doc fee is not taxed. In 2026 it is capped at $490 ($409 if the dealer does not process electronically).
- Private sales: same rates on the price. If the price is under 80% of the car's fair market value, the agent verifies the value on Form MV-3.
- Gifts: a true gift with no payment is exempt with Form MV-13ST.
- New residents: no sales tax if the car has been titled in your name for at least 6 months.
| Where you live | Sales tax rate |
|---|---|
| City of Philadelphia | 8% |
| Allegheny County | 7% |
| All other counties | 6% |
Title and registration fees in Pennsylvania
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of title | $72 |
| Passenger registration (1 year / 2 years) | $48 / $96 |
| Lien recording | $36 |
| Registration plate transfer | $11 |
| Fee for local use (participating counties) | $5 / year |
| Road User Charge, electric vehicle (2026) | $250 / year |
| Road User Charge, plug-in hybrid (2026) | $63 / year |
Electric and plug-in hybrid owners pay the Road User Charge with their registration. It rises with inflation each year starting in 2027.
Example: a $32,000 new car in Philadelphia County
Price $32,000.00, $1,000.00 manufacturer rebate, $8,000.00 trade-in and a $490.00 doc fee, bought from a dealer:
| Sales tax (6%) | $1,440.00 |
| Local tax (2%) | $480.00 |
| Title fee | $72.00 |
| Registration fee | $48.00 |
| Fee for Local Use (participating counties) | ≈ $5.00 |
| Total taxes | $1,920.00 |
|---|---|
| Total government fees | $125.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $33,535.00 |
| After the trade-in, you pay | $25,535.00 |
Common mistakes
- Using 6% if you live in Philadelphia (8%) or Allegheny County (7%): the rate follows your address.
- Paying more than $490 in doc fees in 2026, or paying sales tax on the doc fee.
- Forgetting the $250 Road User Charge on an electric car ($63 on a plug-in hybrid).
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