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Ohio car sales tax at a glance
| Ohio | |
|---|---|
| Tax | sales tax |
| State rate | 5.75% |
| Average with local taxes (2026 (Tax Foundation midyear, July 1)) | 7.29% |
| Counties and cities add tax | Yes |
| Trade-in lowers the tax | Partly (see trade-ins below) |
| Leases | Tax on all the payments, due at signing |
Checked on the state's official sources on 2026-11-02. Rates change; the state's revenue department has the last word.
How to work out Ohio sales tax on a car
Multiply the taxable price by the rate. In Ohio the trade-in credit is limited; the example assumes it all comes off.
A $30,000 car with a $5,000 trade: $25,000 x 5.75% = $1,437.50 at the state rate, plus any county or city tax where you register the car.
5.75% state plus the county rate of the buyer's county of residence, paid at the clerk of courts title office.
Trade-ins
Only on a NEW motor vehicle sold by a new motor vehicle dealer: the price is reduced by the dealer's credit for the vehicle received in trade (ORC 5739.01(H)(2)). No trade-in credit on used-vehicle purchases.
Leasing a car in Ohio
Tax on all the payments, due at signing. Ohio: for leases with a fixed term over 30 days, the dealer collects tax when the lease is signed on the total amount to be paid under the lease (ORC 5739.02(A)(2)). The lease calculator uses Ohio's method when you pick the state.
Dealer doc fees
ORC 4517.261 caps the documentary service charge at the lesser of 10% of the amount paid or a CPI-adjusted dollar amount ($250 base from 2006, adjusted each Sept 30 and published by the registrar); the registrar publishes the current figure.