Oregon Vehicle Sales Tax & Fees

Geoff Cudd

When it comes to purchasing a vehicle, you have to be aware of all of the costs. That includes paying the state sales tax that is required in your state. No matter which state you intend to purchase a vehicle in, the state sales tax must be factored in.

So what is the state sales tax for vehicle purchases in Oregon?

Here we will explain any associated sales tax and other DMV costs with purchasing a vehicle in the Beaver State.

How Much Is the Car Sales Tax in Oregon?

Currently, the state of Oregon does not have a state sales tax. That includes vehicle purchases as well.

That makes Oregon one of five states with no state sales tax: Oregon, Alaska, Delaware, Montana, and New Hampshire.

Do I Have to Pay Sales Tax on a Used Car?

In the state of Oregon, you do not have to pay state sales tax on any used vehicle.

Which City or County Has the Highest Tax? Which Has the Lowest?

Currently, there is no sales tax throughout the state of Oregon.

Car Sales Tax for Trade-Ins in Oregon

Since there is no state sales tax in the state of Oregon, you don’t have to worry about paying taxes on any trade-in.

For instance, if you purchase a vehicle for $40,000 and have a trade-in worth $7,500, then your state sales tax for the entire vehicle purchase will still be $0.

Car Sales Tax for Private Sales in Oregon

You don’t have to pay a state sales tax for any private vehicle sales. However, there may be some DMV fees that will apply.

Tax on Rebates & Dealer Incentives

The chances are that you may get some rebates and dealer incentives when you purchase your vehicle at a dealer. Since Oregon does not have a state sales tax, you don’t have to worry about paying taxes on any rebates or dealer incentives.

As an example, let’s say that you purchase a new vehicle for $45,000, and you get a $2,000 rebate. You don’t have to pay any state sales tax on the $2,000 rebate.

DMV/State Fees

In addition to dealership fees, there are DMV and state fees that you will have to pay. Here, we will take a look at the three most common fees associated with vehicle purchase in the state of Oregon:

Title: The title fee covers the cost of creating or transferring a title of a vehicle. In the state of Oregon, there is the current fee list for titles:

• Vehicles 1999 or Older: $99
• Vehicles 2000 or Newer with MPG 0 to 19: $99
• Vehicles 2000 or Newer with MPG 20 to 39: $103
• Vehicles 2000 or Newer with MPG 40+: $113
• Electric Vehicles: $187

(all vehicles have a Gross Vehicle Weight of less than 26,000 pounds)

Registration: There are a number of different registration fees in the state of Oregon. Here’s a look at the most common fees associated with registering a vehicle in the state.

• Vehicle Plates: $24.50
• Vehicle Registration - 1999 or Older Model: $122
• Vehicle Registration - 2000, 0 to 19 Combined MPG: $122
• Vehicle Registration - 2000, 20 to 39 Combined MPG: $132
• Vehicle Registration - 2000, 40+ Combined MPG: $152
• Vehicle Registration - Electric Vehicle: $306
• County Registration Fee, Multnomah County: $112
• County Registration Fee, Washington County or Clackamas County: $60
• Plate Transfer Fee: $6

Permit: In addition to title and registration fees, the state of Oregon charges permit fees for specific types of vehicles - within the state - for a limited period of time. Here’s a look at some of the most common permit fees.

• Light Vehicle Trip Permit - 21 Days: $33
• Heavy Motor Vehicle Trip Permit - 10 Days: $43
• Heavy Trailer Trip Permit - 10 Days: $10
• Recreational Vehicle Trip Permit - 1 to 10 Days: $33
• Registered Vehicle Trip Permit - 10 Days: $7.50

Dealership Fees

While there is no state sales tax in the state of Oregon, there are associated fees that you may have to pay as part of your vehicle purchase. These fees are associated with dealership sales:

• Documentation Fee: Documentation fees or “Doc Fees” is the fee that a dealership will add to the cost of a vehicle to cover administrative paperwork. In the state of Oregon, the doc fees average about $60. However, the range of pricing can be as low as $50 and as high as $100. In just about all cases, the documentation fee is not going to be negotiable.
• Advertising Fee: The advertising fee is the fee that a dealership will add to the cost of the vehicle related to the ad cost of selling the vehicle. This fee is pretty much an unnecessary markup and can usually be negotiated down.
• Delivery Fee: The delivery fee is associated with the cost of delivering your vehicle to the dealership from the manufacturer. You may be able to negotiate the delivery fee down.

How to Calculate Oregon Sales Tax on a Car

Since there is a 0% state sales tax, you don’t need to calculate Oregon state sales tax. For instance, if you purchase a new vehicle for $40,000, then the state sales tax will be $0.

When Sales Tax is Exempt in Oregon

Since there is no state sales tax in Oregon, there are no exemptions needed.

EV Rebates & Incentives

Oregon offers up to $5,000 electric vehicle rebates with their Oregon Clean Vehicle and Charge Ahead Rebate Program. Here’s a look at the current EV rebate rates:

• Purchase or Lease of Qualifying Electric Vehicle: $2,500
• Low-Income or Moderate-Income Purchase of New or Used Electric Vehicle: $5,000

Learn more about the Oregon EV tax and utility incentives here. 

Tax information and rates are subject to change, please be sure to verify with your local DMV. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the sales tax on cars purchased in Oregon?

The state sales tax for vehicle purchases in Oregon is 0%. Oregon is one of the five states that do not have any sales tax on car purchases.

Do I have to pay sales tax on a used car in Oregon?

No. There is no state sales tax on new or used vehicles in Oregon.

Which city in Oregon has the lowest tax? Which has the highest?

All cities in Oregon have 0% sales tax.

Do I have to pay sales tax on a gifted car in Oregon?

There is no sales tax on any vehicle sales or gifts in Oregon.

How much is registration in Oregon?

The registration fee in Oregon can range from $122 to $306, depending on the model year and the vehicle's fuel consumption. Here is a look at the latest registration pricing:

• Vehicle Registration - 1999 or Older Model: $122
• Vehicle Registration - 2000, 0 to 19 Combined MPG: $122
• Vehicle Registration - 2000, 20 to 39 Combined MPG: $132
• Vehicle Registration - 2000, 40+ Combined MPG: $152
• Vehicle Registration - Electric Vehicle: $306

Does a trade-in reduce sales tax in Oregon?

Since there is no sale tax in Oregon, you don’t have to worry about trade-in sales tax discounts.

How can I avoid paying sales tax in Oregon?

Since there is no sales tax in Oregon, you do not need to worry about avoiding it.