Colorado Car Sales Tax Calculator

What you pay in tax when you buy a vehicle in Colorado, from the statute and the revenue department.

Verified September 21, 2026 · statute and revenue department cross-checked

Vehicle price (USD) Trade-in value (USD) Local rate where you register (city, county, district)

Buying the car is only half the cost. You still owe an annual registration fee.

See Colorado vehicle registration fees →

What to know about Colorado

The state rate is only 2.9 percent but local and special district taxes usually more than double it. What matters is where you register, not where you buy. Trade-ins reduce the base. Manufacturer rebates and EV tax credits do not, which surprises a lot of buyers.

Sources

Statute: C.R.S. § 39-26-106, § 39-26-113

Colorado Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Sales
“Which local taxes apply depends on the city, county, and special district(s) in which the vehicle will be registered ... Dealer discounts may reduce the taxable purchase price, but rebates and tax credits do not. ... the fair market value of the trade-in is excluded from the taxable purchase price”

Last verified: September 21, 2026.

Estimates only. Your dealer or the state issues the final bill, and exemptions can change what you owe. This page does not collect or store anything you enter.