: For private party purchases, you almost always pay the full sales tax amount yourself at the DMV during registration. Understanding Reciprocity and Credits
Buying a vehicle out of state generally does not save you money on sales tax because you typically owe taxes based on where the vehicle is , not where it is purchased. Where You Pay buying vehicle out of state sales tax
: Some states, such as California , may exempt out-of-state buyers from local sales tax if the vehicle is immediately transported and registered elsewhere. Use Tax On Out-of-State Purchases - CDTFA - CA.gov : For private party purchases, you almost always
: Most often, you pay the sales tax at your local DMV when you register the vehicle in your home state. Use Tax On Out-of-State Purchases - CDTFA - CA
If you are required to pay sales tax in the state of purchase, most states have to prevent double taxation.
: If the state where you bought the car has a lower tax rate than your home state, you will likely owe the difference to your local DMV upon registration.
: If you already paid tax to the state of purchase, your home state will typically apply that amount as a credit.