Ohio charges 5.75% state sales tax plus your county’s rate, for 6.5% to 8.25% in total, based on the county where you live. One Ohio rule costs used-car buyers: a trade-in only lowers the tax when you buy a new car from a new-car dealer.
Ohio car taxes and fees at a glance
| Sales tax | 6.5% to 8.25% by county of residence |
|---|---|
| Trade-in | Only on new cars bought from a new-car dealer |
| Title | $18 ($23 in some counties) |
| Registration | $36 a year + $8 deputy registrar fee + local permissive tax up to $30 |
| Hybrid / EV | $100 hybrid, $150 plug-in hybrid, $200 electric, every year |
Rules worth knowing
- Parts of Columbus, Dublin, Westerville and Reynoldsburg in Delaware, Fairfield, Licking and Union counties have a higher transit (COTA) rate, and Rossford in Wood County has the TARTA rate.
- County rates change during the year; this calculator uses the October 1 to December 31, 2026 table.
Example: what you’d pay in Ohio
Buying a $30,000.00 used car from a dealer in Franklin, with a $5,000.00 trade-in:
| Sales tax (8%, Franklin County) | $2,400.00 |
| Certificate of title | $18.00 |
| Registration (1 year, passenger) | $36.00 |
| Deputy registrar fee | $8.00 |
| Local permissive tax | $30.00 |
| Taxes and fees | $2,492.00 |
|---|---|
| Out-the-door price | $27,492.00 |
Dealer documentation fees aren’t included in this example; add your dealer’s fee in the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does a trade-in lower sales tax on a used car in Ohio?
No. Ohio only subtracts a trade-in when you buy a new car from a new-car dealer.
Which county’s rate do I pay in Ohio?
The county where you live, even if you buy the car somewhere else in Ohio.
Checked October 2026 against official Ohio sources. Rates and fees change; your dealer or the motor vehicle office has the final numbers. How we calculate.
Sources
- Ohio Dept. of Taxation: Sales and use tax rates by county, Q4 2026
- ORC 5739.01 (trade-in on new motor vehicles)
- ORC 5741.05 (county of residence)
- Ohio BMV: Documents and fees