Tennessee Private Party Car Tax Calculator
Calculate your true first-year out-of-pocket costs for a private vehicle sale in Tennessee. Accurately accounts for 7% excise/sales tax, $14.00 certificate of title fee, 1-year tag registration, and state-specific regulations.
Vehicle & Transaction Details
Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in Tennessee.
Tennessee Notice: Tennessee taxes the full agreed vehicle price. Trade-ins do not reduce the tax base on private-party sales.
Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with your county clerk or the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
If the price is under 75% of the vehicle’s value in a pricing guide, the buyer and seller complete the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers. Without it, or an appraisal, tax is due on the full value.
County wheel taxes and other county clerk fees are not included.
The all-electric vehicle fee rises to $274 for registrations from January 1, 2027.
Tennessee’s sources do not say whether its electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid fees apply to motorcycles, so the estimate leaves them out for a motorcycle. Confirm with your county clerk.
County & Local Tax Note: Tennessee adds the local rate where you live, 2.00% to 2.75%, on the first $1,600 of the price only, plus a 2.75% state single article tax on the next $1,600. Many counties also charge a wheel tax with registration.
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Estimated taxes & fees
Tennessee
Sales/Excise Tax (State + Local Range) + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration
State tax $1,094.00 (includes 2.75% single article tax on $1,600 to $3,200 ($44.00)) + Local tax (varies by county) $32.00–$44.00 on the first $1,600.00
Standard state title certificate issuance
Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)
Base license plates & tags
- tn.gov: County Clerk Tax Manual
- tn.gov: taxation cars boats
- tn.gov: titling a vehicle
- tn.gov: lien notation
- tn.gov: due dates and tax rates
- tn.gov: local sales tax rates map
- revenue.support.tn.gov: 360060097432 VR 4 Registration Fees
- revenue.support.tn.gov: 360060541291 VR 5 Registration Fees for Hybrid or Electric Vehicles
- revenue.support.tn.gov: 360060097552 VR 6 New Residents Should Register Within 30 Days
Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with your county clerk or the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
If the price is under 75% of the vehicle’s value in a pricing guide, the buyer and seller complete the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers. Without it, or an appraisal, tax is due on the full value.
County wheel taxes and other county clerk fees are not included.
The all-electric vehicle fee rises to $274 for registrations from January 1, 2027.
Tennessee’s sources do not say whether its electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid fees apply to motorcycles, so the estimate leaves them out for a motorcycle. Confirm with your county clerk.
County & Local Tax Note: Tennessee adds the local rate where you live, 2.00% to 2.75%, on the first $1,600 of the price only, plus a 2.75% state single article tax on the next $1,600. Many counties also charge a wheel tax with registration.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tennessee Vehicle Taxes & Fees
Essential statutory answers regarding Tennessee vehicle sales taxes, titling requirements, and registration fees.
The 7% state rate on the full price, the local rate (2.00% to 2.75%) on the first $1,600, and a 2.75% state single article tax on the part from $1,600.01 to $3,200. On a $15,000 car that is $1,050 state tax, $32 to $44 local tax, and $44 single article tax.
Tennessee Guides
Step-by-step help for titling and tagging a vehicle in Tennessee:
Other State Car Tax Calculators
Calculate private-party vehicle taxes, titling, and registration across other US states: