Sales tax on new/used autos (Houston: how much, transfer, buying)

[Grunn]

Simple question, is there any sales tax payable on new or used autos in Texas and how much does licence/registation cost?

[JDB3030]

Just bought a used car this week. $16,500. Taxes were about $1050 (6%) and title & registrations was $222 (1.33%).

[recuerdeme]

On new cars there is sales tax and I can't remember my additional fees because everything was lumped together and it's been a year since I bought my new car.

I think the only way you are not going to pay sales tax is by buying something for cash.

[chris_ut]

You only have to pay state sales tax and not local on cars.

[Supermac34]

Its 6.25% I believe. Here's the kicker: the state has started cracking down on cash only tranactions for used cars. When you go to transfer the title, if you don't have proof for how much you paid for it OR if they think you paid too little, they assign a random value (usually a high grade KBB value) and tax it on that value when you try to transfer title. You always owed it in the past, but just in the last year or two they have started enforcing it.

[Grunn]

I need to add 6 percent to all used auto prices then?

What about new autos?

[chris_ut]

Same for used or new, and its 6.5%

[Grunn]

so my bargain camaro V8 doesn't look quite as sweet as the deal on the website?

It's hard to get used to this sales tax when you're an 'alien'.It's all inclusive in Kansas!

[Slappy san]

Good info to know.

Is it just me or are there a ton of used car lots in Houston?

[starkeshia]

The state has an online tool which will show you what value they will assign to the car for taxation purposes if you plug in the VIN and mileage:

Standard Presumptive Value