North Carolina Car Sales Tax Calculator
This North Carolina car sales tax calculator estimates the tax and fees on buying a vehicle. North Carolina applies its state sales or use tax of 4.75% to a vehicle purchase, the same rate sourced from the North Carolina Department of Revenue that applies to other taxable goods. Enter the vehicle price and your registration fee to see the state sales tax, fees and the total drive-away cost. Most counties and cities in North Carolina add a local sales tax on top of the state rate, so your combined rate at purchase may be higher; use the North Carolina sales tax calculator to find the local rate for your address. Registration and title fees are set by the North Carolina DMV and depend on the vehicle's weight, type and your county, so they are entered by you rather than asserted here. Some states also let you subtract a trade-in before tax, while others tax the full price; the rule is set by the state, so enter the net price if North Carolina allows a trade-in credit. Use this to budget for a car purchase and to compare the upfront tax across vehicles. The state rate is the official sourced figure; local rates and fees vary by location.
North Carolina's state sales tax on a vehicle is 4.75%. On a $35,000 car that is $1,662.50 in state tax; with a $300 registration fee, the total is about $36,962.50.
How North Carolina car sales tax is calculated
state sales tax = vehicle price x 4.75% (state rate) + any local sales tax
total = vehicle price + state sales tax + registration and title fees
North Carolina car sales tax: frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in North Carolina?
North Carolina charges its state sales or use tax of 4.75% on a vehicle purchase. On a $35,000 car that is $1,662.50 in state tax. Many counties and cities add a local rate on top, so your combined rate may be higher; check the North Carolina sales tax calculator for your locality.
Is the registration fee included?
Registration and title fees are set by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and vary by vehicle weight, type and county, so they are a user-editable input here rather than an asserted figure. Enter your DMV's fee for an accurate total.
Does a trade-in reduce the sales tax in North Carolina?
In many states the taxable amount is the price after a trade-in credit, but some states tax the full price. The rule is set by the North Carolina Department of Revenue. This calculator applies the rate to the price you enter, so enter the net price if North Carolina allows a trade-in credit.
Where does the North Carolina car sales tax rate come from?
The state sales or use tax rate of 4.75% is sourced from the North Carolina Department of Revenue, verified as at Jun 11, 2026. Local rates and DMV fees come from your county.
Official sources
- North Carolina state sales/use tax rate (4.75%): North Carolina Department of Revenue, as at Jun 11, 2026.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 26 June 2026. See our methodology. General information, not financial advice. Local sales taxes and DMV registration fees vary by location and are not asserted.