{
 "state": "California",
 "code": "CA",
 "url": "https://cartaxhq.com/california/",
 "summary": "California charges a yearly Vehicle License Fee (VLF) of 0.65% of the car's value as part of DMV registration. The DMV bases the value on the purchase price and reduces it each year on a fixed schedule. California has no separate local car property tax.",
 "annual": {
  "kind": "valuePercent",
  "rate": 0.65,
  "note": "California VLF, R&TC §10752. Value = purchase price (resets when a used car is bought) × DMV schedule: 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, then 15% from year 11. Billed with registration renewal along with registration, CHP, and transportation improvement fees."
 },
 "purchase": {
  "rate": 7.25,
  "name": "California sales/use tax",
  "localAdds": true,
  "tradeInCredit": false,
  "note": "The 7.25% statewide base includes 1.25% local. District taxes can raise the total to about 10.75%. Trade-ins are NOT deducted."
 },
 "registration": "The base registration fee is about $74, plus the CHP fee (about $34) and the value-based Transportation Improvement Fee ($38–$228). Many cars also pay a smog abatement fee or the ZEV fee.",
 "due": "Paid every year with DMV registration renewal, by the expiration date on your renewal notice.",
 "sources": [
  {
   "title": "California DMV – Registration fees",
   "url": "https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/registration-fees/"
  },
  {
   "title": "CDTFA – Tax guide for motor vehicle dealers",
   "url": "https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/motor-vehicle-dealers/"
  }
 ],
 "verified": "2026-10-14",
 "places": []
}