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Stealpad › Cars › Out-the-door calculator

California out-the-door price calculator

Price, doc fee and sales tax for the city where you will register the car, from the state's tax table effective October 1, 2026. DMV registration fees come on top.

Out the door = price + doc fee + sales tax + DMV fees, plus any add-ons you keep. The doc fee is capped at $85. The tax rate depends on the city; CDTFA's guidance points to the address where you register the car rather than the dealer's, so check the rate on your quote against your city's.

Source: CDTFA, Effective Sales and Use Tax Rates, checked October 1, 2026.

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Check your whole quote

Paste the dealer's email or type the lines. Every line is marked required, negotiable or optional under California rules, with the message to send back.

No quote handy? Try a sample:

Free. No account. We don't keep your photo.

Questions

What is included in an out-the-door price?

Everything you pay to drive away: the sale price, the doc fee, sales tax, DMV registration fees and any add-ons you keep, minus discounts and rebates. Ask every dealer for it itemized and in writing.

Why does the sales tax rate change by city?

California's base rate is 7.25%, and cities and counties add district taxes. The calculator uses the rate for the city you pick, from CDTFA's table effective October 1, 2026.

Are DMV fees included?

Not in this estimate. They depend on the car and where you live; the DMV lists them on its registration fees page. On a quote, DMV fees are required, and we never mark them down.

How do I use this against a dealer quote?

Put in the dealer's price and your city, then compare the total with the quote. A large gap usually means add-ons or fees you can question; the checker below marks each line.

More for your dealer visit

California doc fee capThe most a dealer may charge for paperwork, and what to say if it is higher.Which dealer fees are negotiableRequired, capped, negotiable and optional: every common line on a quote.Email dealers for an out-the-door priceA free message asking for the itemized total, ready to copy.Dealer markup over MSRPSee how far over sticker a price is, and how to push back.VIN etchingAn optional dealer add-on, and the words to decline it.Nitrogen-filled tiresAn optional dealer add-on, and the words to decline it.Paint protectionAn optional dealer product, and the words to decline it.Dealer prep feeA dealer charge, not a government fee, and how to push back.