Arizona Car Sales Tax Calculator – Fast, Free & Accurate

What Is the Arizona Car Sales Tax?

In Arizona, car sales tax has two parts:

1. State sales tax – A flat 5.6% rate applied across the state.
2. Local sales tax – An extra percentage added by cities and counties.

That means your final sales tax depends on where you buy and register your car. For example:

• Phoenix adds 3.0%,
• Tucson adds 3.1%,
• Flagstaff adds 3.281%.

So, if you’re buying the same $30,000 car in different cities, the total tax you’ll pay isn’t the same.

How the Calculator Works

The calculator is designed to be quick and user-friendly. Here’s what it does step by step:

1. Enter your vehicle price – Type in the purchase price of the car.
2. Enter trade-in value – If you’re trading in a car, its value reduces the taxable amount.
3. Select your city – This applies the correct local tax rate.
4. Hit calculate – The tool shows your:
   • Taxable amount (price minus trade-in)
   • State tax (5.6%)
   • Local tax (based on your city)
   • Total estimated tax

It’s that simple. No spreadsheets, no manual math.

Example Calculation

Let’s say you buy a car in Phoenix for $30,000 and trade in your old car for $5,000.

• Vehicle price: $30,000
• Trade-in: $5,000
• Taxable amount: $25,000
• State tax (5.6%): $1,400
• Phoenix city tax (3.0%): $750
• Total tax: $2,150

That’s the number you need to budget for.

Why Use a Sales Tax Calculator?

Car sales tax can be confusing. Dealerships often focus on the sticker price, but the real cost of ownership includes taxes and fees. Here’s why the calculator helps:

• Avoid surprises – Know your final cost before you sign papers.
• Plan better – Understand how much cash you’ll need upfront.
• Compare cities – Buying in one city may cost more in taxes than another.
• Trade-in impact – Quickly see how your old car lowers the taxable amount.

Quick Tax Rate Guide by Arizona Cities

Here are some popular city rates included in the calculator:

• Phoenix: 3.0%
• Tucson: 3.1%
• Mesa: 2.45%
• Scottsdale: 2.45%
• Chandler: 2.5%
• Glendale: 2.7%
• Flagstaff: 3.281%

These rates are combined with the state’s 5.6% tax to get your total.