Used Car Sales Tax in Ohio: 5.75% Rate Guide
Ohio used car sales tax, how to calculate it for private party and dealer purchases, trade-in credits, exemptions, and how and when to pay.
Ohio Used Car Sales Tax Rates (State + Local)
Ohio has a 5.75% statewide sales tax plus county-level sales tax ranging from 0.75%–2.25%. Total effective rates: Franklin (Columbus) 7.5%, Cuyahoga (Cleveland) 8%, Hamilton (Cincinnati) 7.8%, Summit (Akron) 6.75%.
Tax Base in Ohio
Purchase price
Ohio uses the actual purchase price as the tax base. Ohio does not have a mandatory SPV floor like Texas. The purchase price on the bill of sale is the tax basis for private party sales.
Trade-In Sales Tax Credit in Ohio
Ohio dealers give a sales tax credit for trade-ins. The taxable purchase price is reduced by the trade-in allowance value. Ohio has no cap on the trade-in credit.
Example calculation:
Columbus (Franklin County) purchase at $16,000: $16,000 × 7.5% (5.75% + 1.75%) = $1,200.
Sales Tax on Private Party Used Car Sales in Ohio
Private party used vehicle purchases in Ohio are subject to state and county use tax. The buyer pays the combined state + county use tax to the county clerk of courts at the time of titling.
Ohio collects use tax at the county clerk of courts when you title the vehicle — not separately at registration. The applicable rate is the buyer's home county rate.
Sales Tax on Dealer Used Car Purchases in Ohio
Ohio dealers collect combined state and county sales tax at the point of sale. The dealer adds tax to the purchase contract and remits to the state.
Ohio dealer sales tax: the rate is based on the buyer's county (where the vehicle will be registered), not the dealer's county. This is different from some other states — Ohio uses the buyer's county rate.
Buying a Car Out of State and Registering in Ohio
Vehicles purchased out of state and registered in Ohio are subject to Ohio use tax. Ohio credits taxes paid to other states up to Ohio's applicable rate.
If you paid 5% in sales tax to Indiana and now register in Franklin County, Ohio (7.5% combined), Ohio will collect the 2.5% difference. Bring proof of out-of-state tax paid.
Ohio Used Car Sales Tax Exemptions
- ✓Transfers between spouses
- ✓Transfers between parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild
- ✓Inheritance transfers
- ✓Sale to charitable organizations for exempt use
- ✓Vehicles moving permanently out of Ohio
Ohio family transfers require completing the exemption box on the title application. Documentation of the family relationship may be required. Fraudulent exemption claims carry penalties.
How to Pay Used Car Sales Tax in Ohio
For private party sales: pay use tax to the county clerk of courts when titling. For dealer sales: dealer collects at point of sale. Ohio requires titling within 30 days of purchase.
Ohio penalizes late titling — after 30 days, a late title fee applies. Use tax is due at titling, not registration. Register and title simultaneously at the county clerk to avoid complications.
Ohio Sales Tax Note
Ohio is one of the few states where sales tax for dealer purchases is based on the BUYER'S county, not the dealer's. This means the rate you pay depends on where you live, not where the dealership is. Verify your county rate before finalizing a dealer purchase.
Used Car Sales Tax FAQ — Ohio
What is the sales tax rate on a used car in Ohio?
The base state sales tax rate in Ohio is 5.75%. Ohio has a 5.75% statewide sales tax plus county-level sales tax ranging from 0.75%–2.25%. Total effective rates: Franklin (Columbus) 7.5%, Cuyahoga (Cleveland) 8%, Hamilton (Cincinnati) 7.8%, Summit (Akron) 6.75%.
Do I get a trade-in credit on sales tax when buying a used car in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio dealers give a sales tax credit for trade-ins. The taxable purchase price is reduced by the trade-in allowance value. Ohio has no cap on the trade-in credit.
How is sales tax calculated on a private party used car purchase in Ohio?
Private party used vehicle purchases in Ohio are subject to state and county use tax. The buyer pays the combined state + county use tax to the county clerk of courts at the time of titling. Ohio collects use tax at the county clerk of courts when you title the vehicle — not separately at registration. The applicable rate is the buyer's home county rate.
How do I pay sales tax when buying a used car privately in Ohio?
For private party sales: pay use tax to the county clerk of courts when titling. For dealer sales: dealer collects at point of sale. Ohio requires titling within 30 days of purchase. Ohio penalizes late titling — after 30 days, a late title fee applies. Use tax is due at titling, not registration. Register and title simultaneously at the county clerk to avoid complications.
Are there any used car sales tax exemptions in Ohio?
Transfers between spouses; Transfers between parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild; Inheritance transfers; Sale to charitable organizations for exempt use; Vehicles moving permanently out of Ohio. Ohio family transfers require completing the exemption box on the title application. Documentation of the family relationship may be required. Fraudulent exemption claims carry penalties.
If I buy a car out of state and register it in Ohio, do I pay Ohio sales tax?
Vehicles purchased out of state and registered in Ohio are subject to Ohio use tax. Ohio credits taxes paid to other states up to Ohio's applicable rate. If you paid 5% in sales tax to Indiana and now register in Franklin County, Ohio (7.5% combined), Ohio will collect the 2.5% difference. Bring proof of out-of-state tax paid.