Texas car loan calculator
Estimate your monthly payment with Texas sales tax, typical dealer documentation, title and registration fees, and this state's trade-in tax treatment.
Texas tax & fee snapshot
| Average sales tax (estimate) | 6.250% |
|---|---|
| Doc / processing fee (est.) | $225.00 |
| Title fee (est.) | $33.00 |
| Registration fee (est.) | $75.00 |
| Trade-in tax treatment | Full trade-in tax credit |
These figures are planning estimates stored for the calculator. County, city, vehicle type, and dealer practices can change the final numbers on your contract.
Trade-in tax in Texas
Full trade-in tax credit
In this configuration, the calculator reduces the taxable vehicle price by the full trade-in value (subject to how the transaction is structured). Always confirm with the dealer and state rules.
How to use this page
- Open the calculator with Texas pre-selected.
- Enter vehicle price, down payment, and any trade-in value / payoff.
- Set APR and term (60 or 72 months are common).
- Review amount financed, monthly payment, and amortization schedule.
- Download the PDF schedule if you want a worksheet for the dealer or lender.
Texas doc fee — what dealers can charge
$225 safe harbor
No hard cap — OCCC regulatory safe harbor (effective July 2024). Dealers above $225 must justify the amount.
The doc fee is not usually negotiable as a standalone line item — negotiate your out-the-door total instead. Our 2026 state tax & fee table compares all 50 states.
Worked example: a $30,000 car in Texas
| Vehicle price | $30,000 |
|---|---|
| Down payment | $5,000 |
| Trade-in value / payoff | $6,000 / $1,000 |
| Trade-in rule | full trade-in credit — the $5,000 equity reduces the taxable amount |
| Taxable amount | $25,000 |
| Sales tax 6.250% | $1,563 |
| Doc fee | $225 safe harbor |
| Price + tax + doc fee | $31,788 |
Your actual numbers depend on the vehicle, county taxes, and dealer. Use the Texas calculator to run your own deal.
Auto lenders serving Texas
Start with a pre-approval from at least two lenders — a credit union plus an online lender — before visiting a dealership. Current offers change; verify each lender's latest rate and availability.
| Lender | Type | Why consider |
|---|---|---|
| PenFed Credit Union | National credit union | Low used-car rates. |
| Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union | Credit union | Texas's largest CU. |
| University Federal Credit Union | Credit union | Austin & Texas. |
State-level data not yet available — see national averages on our /data/state-apr page.
Why state matters for your payment
Two buyers with the same vehicle price and APR can see different amounts financed solely because of sales tax and fees. Rolling tax and fees into the loan increases the principal and total interest; paying them at signing raises cash due but can lower the financed balance.
Use the Texas calculator to stress-test down payment, term length, and APR before you negotiate.
Related guide: Texas Car Loan Calculator: Estimate Auto Loan Payments
Local tax & market data: Texas sales tax & fees · Average APR by state · Rates by credit score · All state guides