🚗Auto Loan Calculator (Trade-In & Sales Tax)
Enter the vehicle price, your down payment, trade-in value and local sales tax to get your true monthly car payment and total cost. Most online car payment estimates ignore tax and trade-in — this one does not.
Last updated: · Reviewed by The CalcWise Team
How to use this calculator
- Enter the negotiated vehicle price, then your down payment and trade-in value.
- Add your local sales tax rate and the APR your lender quoted.
- Choose the loan term in years and press Calculate to see your monthly payment and total cost.
How it works
The real cost of a car loan depends on far more than the sticker price. This calculator accounts for your down payment, the value of any vehicle you trade in, and the sales tax charged in your state — then applies the lender's APR over the term you choose.
In most US states, a trade-in reduces the taxable amount: you only pay sales tax on the price after the trade-in is subtracted. This calculator applies tax to the price minus your trade-in, which can save you hundreds of dollars compared with estimates that tax the full price.
A larger down payment lowers both your monthly payment and the total interest you pay, and helps you avoid owing more than the car is worth. Shorter terms cost more per month but far less overall.