Utah Vehicle Sales Tax & Fees [+ Calculator]
Michael Collado is a car buying expert and has been a professional automotive writer since 2009. He’s written about dealership sales, vehicle reviews and comparisons, and service and maintenance for over 100 national automotive dealerships. Previously, Collado was a copywriter at the ad agency TBWA/Chiat/Day where he worked on brand campaigns for Nissan, ABC Television, Sony PlayStation, and Energizer. His recognition in the ad industry includes awards from Communication Arts and The Clios.
Collado has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Marketing.
It’s exciting to buy a new (or new for you) car, but it’s also far from cheap.
Things like sales tax and other fees are often forgotten about in the excitement of making a new car purchase. But in Utah, you’ll need to be prepared to spend additional money on these extra costs.
Here’s what to expect when it comes to taxes and fees in the state of Utah.
Table of Contents
- How Much Is the Car Sales Tax in Utah?
- How to Calculate Utah Sales Tax on a Car
- Utah Car Sales Tax Calculator
- Do I Have to Pay Sales Tax on a Used Car?
- Which County Has the Highest Tax? Which Has the Lowest?
- Car Sales Tax for Trade-Ins in Utah
- Car Sales Tax on Private Sales in Utah
- Tax on Rebates & Dealer Incentives
- Utah DMV/State Fees
- When Sales Tax Is Exempt in Utah
- Utah EV Rebates & Incentives
- Best Car Deals by Category
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is the Car Sales Tax in Utah?
Finding the sales tax rate for car purchases in Utah can get confusing. Multiple sources state that the tax rate is 6.85%, but we haven't been able to verify that rate on the Utah DMV site.
We found that the base state sales tax in Utah is 4.85%, but on average, local counties add up to 2.11%. Therefore the average combined sales tax rate is 6.96%.
For our examples in this article, we'll use the average combined rate of 6.96%. But know that the lowest rate in Utah is 6.1% and the highest is 9.05%.
How to Calculate Utah Sales Tax on a Car
You can calculate the sales tax in Utah by multiplying the final purchase price by .0696%.
For example, let’s say that you want to purchase a new car for $30,000, you would use the following formula to calculate the sales tax:
$30,000 x .0696 = $2,088
This means that your sales tax is $2,088 on a $30,000 purchase price.
Calculate Car Sales Tax in Utah Example:
- Initial Car Price: $30,000
- Sales Tax Rate: 6.96%
- Trade-In Amount: $5,000
- Manufacturer/Dealer Rebate: $2,000
Sales Tax = ($30,000 - $5,000 - $2,000) * .0696
Sales Tax = $1,600.80
Remember that the total amount you pay for a car (out the door price) not only includes sales tax, but also registration, and dealership fees.
Utah Car Sales Tax Calculator
Do I Have to Pay Sales Tax on a Used Car?
Yes, in Utah you must pay the car sales tax on a used vehicle. The sales tax rules remain the same whether the car is new or used.
Still, purchasing a used car is a wise choice for many. The overall price will be lower, which means you will pay less in sales tax than with a new vehicle.
Which County Has the Highest Tax? Which Has the Lowest?
Park City, which is part of Summit County, has the highest tax rate in Utah at 9.05%.
Many places in Utah have the lowest tax rate available at 6.1%, with Wayne County being an example.
Car Sales Tax for Trade-Ins in Utah
You don’t have to pay sales tax on trade-ins in Utah. In other words, be sure to subtract the trade-in amount from the car price before calculating sales tax.
As an example, let’s say you are purchasing a new SUV for $35,000 and your trade-in is worth $10,000. You will subtract the trade-in value by the purchase price and get $25,000. Therefore, your car sales tax will be based on the $25,000 amount.
Car Sales Tax on Private Sales in Utah
A sales tax is required on all private vehicle sales in Utah.
Tax on Rebates & Dealer Incentives
You don't have to pay tax on dealer and manufacturer rebates in Utah. In other words, be sure to subtract the rebate/incentive amount from the car price before calculating sales tax.
As an example, if you are purchasing a new car for $30,000 with a $5,000 rebate, you will pay sales tax on the $25,000 cost of the car.
Utah DMV/State Fees
There are some other state and DMV fees associated with the purchase of a vehicle in Utah.
A few of these fees include:
- Registration Fee: $44
- Title Fee: $6
- Plate Transfer Fee: $6
Utah Dealership Fees
Dealerships apply extra fees, sometimes referred to as “doc fees,” with the sale of the car.
Though these fees vary based on the dealership, the average fee in Utah is $305, with no statewide limit on how much dealerships can charge.
When Sales Tax Is Exempt in Utah
Much like every state, Utah has some sales tax exemptions for vehicle sales. Exemptions include:
- You receive the vehicle as a gift from a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild.
- If you inherited the vehicle.
- You receive the vehicle in a divorce.
- You are a disabled veteran.
- You receive the vehicle from an individual’s revocable trust.
Utah EV Rebates & Incentives
Utah does not offer incentives on EV vehicle purchases, but there are some charging-related incentives. However, you can get a tax credit of up to $7,500 from the Federal government.
Tax information and rates are subject to change, please be sure to verify with your local DMV.
