Real Virginia deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Richmond: new car with a trade-in
A buyer pays $35,000 and trades in $10,000. Virginia taxes the full $35,000.
| Vehicle price | $35,000.00 |
| Sales and use tax (4.15%) on $35,000.00 | $1,452.50 |
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration (1 year) | $40.75 |
| Out-the-door | $36,508.25 |
| Due after the $10,000 trade-in | $26,508.25 |
2Inexpensive used car
A buyer pays $1,500 for an old car. 4.15% would be $62.25, so the $75 minimum applies.
| Price paid | $1,500.00 |
| Sales and use tax (4.15%) on $1,500.00 | $75.00 |
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration (1 year) | $40.75 |
| Out-the-door | $1,630.75 |
No trade-in credit
The DMV says the gross sales price doesn't include price reductions such as credit for a trade-in, unpaid liens or other credits, and the Code of Virginia says the price is taken without any deduction for trade-ins. On a $35,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in, that means $415 more tax than a state that credits the trade.
A car you already own with a valid out-of-state title or registration is generally exempt when you move to Virginia, but if you bought it within the last 12 months you must show the tax was paid elsewhere.
Virginia car tax at common prices
What a new gas car bought from a dealer comes to at four prices. The trade-in column shows how much a $10,000 trade-in changes the tax under Virginia's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $622.50 | $622.50 | $678.25 |
| $25,000 | $1,037.50 | $1,037.50 | $1,093.25 |
| $35,000 | $1,452.50 | $1,452.50 | $1,508.25 |
| $50,000 | $2,075.00 | $2,075.00 | $2,130.75 |
Virginia taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (richmond: new car with a trade-in) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sales and use tax (4.15%) | Official | $1,452.50 |
| Title fee | Official | $15.00 |
| Registration (1 year) (yearly) | Estimate | $40.75 |
| Total taxes and fees | $1,508.25 |
Virginia car tax FAQ
What is the car sales tax in Virginia?
4.15% of the gross sales price, at least $75.
Does a trade-in lower Virginia car sales tax?
No. Virginia doesn't deduct trade-ins.
How much is a Virginia title?
$15.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.