West Virginia Vehicle Sales Tax & Fees [+ Calculator]
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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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia.
Table of Contents
- How Much Is the Car Sales Tax in West Virginia?
- How to Calculate West Virginia Sales Tax on a Car
- West Virginia 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 West Virginia
- Car Sales Tax on Private Sales in West Virginia
- Tax on Rebates & Dealer Incentives
- West Virginia DMV/State Fees
- When Sales Tax Is Exempt in West Virginia
- West Virginia EV Rebates & Incentives
- Best Car Deals by Category
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is the Car Sales Tax in West Virginia?
The state sales tax on a car purchase in West Virginia is 6%.
However, this does not include any potential local or county taxes. The average local tax rate in West Virginia is 0.247%, which brings the total average rate to 6.247%.
As an example, if you were to purchase a new sedan at a purchase price of $25,000, then you will have to pay an additional $1,500 in sales tax.
How to Calculate West Virginia Sales Tax on a Car
You can calculate the sales tax in West Virginia by multiplying the final purchase price by .06%.
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.06 = $1,800
This means that your sales tax is $1,800 on a $30,000 purchase price.
Calculate Car Sales Tax in West Virginia Example:
- Initial Car Price: $30,000
- Sales Tax Rate: 6%
- Trade-In Amount: $5,000
- Incentives/Rebates: $2,000
Sales Tax = ($30,000 - $5,000) * .06
Sales Tax = $1,500
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.
West Virginia Car Sales Tax Calculator
Do I Have to Pay Sales Tax on a Used Car?
The sales tax is the same 6% on a used vehicle.
For example, if you were to purchase a used car for $15,000, then you will have to pay an additional $900 in sales tax.
Which County Has the Highest Tax? Which Has the Lowest?
The city with the highest sales tax includes certain zip codes in Charleston, with a total of 7% sales tax.
Many cities in West Virginia only require car buyers to pay the 6% state tax.
Car Sales Tax for Trade-Ins in West Virginia
You don’t have to pay sales tax on trade-ins in West Virginia. 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 $25,000 and your trade-in is worth $5,000. You will subtract the trade-in value by the purchase price and get $20,000. Therefore, your car sales tax will be based on the $20,000 amount.
Car Sales Tax on Private Sales in West Virginia
A sales tax is required on all private vehicle sales in West Virginia.
As an example, if you purchase a truck from a private party for $10,000, then you will pay 6% of that amount to the West Virginia DMV.
If you bought a car for under $500, then you would only owe $30 to the DMV.
Tax on Rebates & Dealer Incentives
You do have to pay tax on dealer rebates and incentives in West Virginia. In other words, do not subtract the incentive/rebate 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 full $30,000 final cost of the car.
West Virginia DMV/State Fees
There are some other state and DMV fees associated with the purchase of a vehicle in West Virginia.
A few of these fees include:
- Registration Fee: $51.50
- Title Fee: $15
- Plate Transfer Fee: $5
- Lien Fee: $10
West Virginia 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 West Virginia is $185, with no statewide limit on how much dealerships can charge.
When Sales Tax Is Exempt in West Virginia
There are a few instances in which a car may be exempt from sales tax in West Virginia.
Some of these include:
- You are a tax-exempt organization
- You are a new resident and the vehicle was purchased out of state before you became a resident of West Virginia
- You are military personnel stationed outside of West Virginia
- The vehicle is a Class-B truck over 50 thousand pounds gross weight or a Class-C truck over two thousand pounds gross weight
West Virginia EV Rebates & Incentives
West Virginia has some EV incentives related to charging.
However, EVs purchased in the state are eligible for the $7,500 federal EV rebate.
Tax information and rates are subject to change, please be sure to verify with your local DMV.
