What fees do I pay when buying a car privately in Arizona?

When titling and registering a private vehicle purchase at the Arizona MVD, you pay a $4.00 title fee, a $14.50 standard registration fee ($8 base + $5 plate + $1.50 air quality fee), and the annual Vehicle License Tax (VLT).

What is the Arizona Vehicle License Tax (VLT)?

The Vehicle License Tax (VLT) is an annual personal property tax collected in lieu of ad valorem property taxes. It is calculated from 60% of the vehicle's original base MSRP, reduced by 16.25% for each year since first registration, and assessed at $2.89 per $100 of assessed value for used vehicles.

Does trade-in reduce tax in Arizona?

Because private party vehicle sales in Arizona are already 100% exempt from sales tax, trade-in deductions do not apply to private sales. Dealership sales do allow trade-in credit to reduce dealer TPT.

Verified for 2026 Arizona Statutory Rates

Arizona Private Party Vehicle Tax, Tags & Title Calculator

Calculate your true first-year out-of-pocket costs for a private vehicle sale in Arizona. Accurately accounts for 0% excise/sales tax, $4 certificate of title fee, 1 or 2-year tag registration, and state-specific regulations.

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in Arizona.

State of Registration5 Regional States Active

Vehicle Type

Purchase Price (Agreed Sale Price)Arizona 0% tax base

Vehicle Model Year7 years old

Vehicle Weight ClassificationClass A Passenger

Registration TermArizona tag options

Powertrain / Fuel TypeEV surcharge rules

Financing & Lien FilingLien fee: $4.00

Trade-in Value (Optional)Arizona: Non-Deductible

Arizona Notice: Arizona taxes the full agreed vehicle price — trade-ins do not reduce the tax base on private-party sales.

Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only — not tax or legal advice. Verify with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) MVD.

Private-party vehicle purchases between individuals are exempt from Arizona state sales tax (Transaction Privilege Tax).

An annual Vehicle License Tax (VLT) applies at registration, calculated on 60% of original MSRP depreciated at 16.25% per year.

Out-of-state vehicle purchases brought into Arizona may be subject to use tax if sales tax was not previously paid.

County & Local Tax Note: Private-party vehicle sales between individuals in Arizona are completely exempt from Arizona state sales tax (TPT). When titling, buyers pay title ($4), registration ($14.50), and the annual Vehicle License Tax (VLT) personal property tax.

Estimated Total Breakdown

First-Year Out-of-Pocket Cost

Jurisdiction

Arizona

Total True First-Year Cost

$18.50

Sales/Excise Tax + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee

1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (0%)

Calculated at 0% on taxable base of $15,000

$0.00

2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$4.00

3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00

4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$14.50

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Frequently Asked Questions

Arizona Private Vehicle Sales & Tag Rules

Essential statutory answers regarding MVA excise taxes, titling requirements, and tag renewal fees.

No. In Arizona, private-party vehicle sales between private individuals (casual sales) are completely exempt from Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) and state sales tax. You pay $0 in state sales tax on a private transaction.