Car Selling Taxes: Do You Pay Taxes When You Sell a Car?

Who Pays Tax On Private Car Sale

When you sell a car, the buyer is the one who pays the car sales tax. This is because cars are often sold for less than they were bought for. The amount of sales tax that the buyer pays will depend on the state in which they live. In some states, the car sales tax is based on the car’s purchase price, and in other states, the sales tax is based on the value of the car.

The average car sales tax is just under 5%, but ranges from 0% all the way up to over 8%. Nevada’s rate is the highest nationally at 8.25%, but several states have 0% car sales tax, including Oregon, Alaska, Montana, Delaware, and New Hampshire.

For example, if you sell a car for $2,000, the buyer will pay the state’s sales tax on that price if they buy in a state that has car sales tax. You, as the seller, will not have any sales tax requirements for that sale.

If I Sell My Car Do I Have To Report It As An Income

If you sell your car for a profit, you will need to report it to the IRS and pay capital gains tax on the sale. For example, if you purchased a car for $1,000 but sold it for $2,000 without investing anything more into the vehicle, the extra $1,000 profit would be your capital gain for the purchase. Capital gains tax is a tax on the profit you make from selling an asset, such as a car. The amount of tax you have to pay depends on how much profit you make and what tax bracket you are in. If you are in the 15% tax bracket, you will owe 15% of your profits in capital gains tax. If you are in the 25% tax bracket, you will owe 25% of your profits in capital gains tax. The amount of time you owned the car also affects how much capital gains tax you will owe. If you have owned the car for more than one year, you will owe long-term capital gains tax. If you have owned the car for less than one year, you will owe short-term capital gains tax. Short-term capital gains taxes are higher than long-term capital gains taxes.

How To Report The Sale Of a Car On Tax Return?

If you sell your vehicle for a gain, then you are required to report it to the IRS on a tax form. The form used will depend on how you sold the vehicle and how much of a gain you made. For example, if you sold the vehicle to an individual, you would need to report the gain on Schedule D of Form 1040. If you sold the vehicle to a business, you would need to use Form 4797.

If you have any questions about paying capital gains taxes on selling your car, consult with a tax professional.

No Tax Form Requirements When You Sell Your Vehicle for a Loss

When you sell your vehicle for a loss, you are not required to file that loss on a tax form. However, you may want to keep track of your losses if you need to file a return. Going with the same example, if you buy a car for $1,000, then invest $1,000 to repair it, but then sell it for $1,500, you take a $500 loss. The cost includes both the buying price and the required investments to keep the vehicle in good mechanical condition.

One thing to note is that if you add $1,000 in aftermarket, unnecessary product purchases, many states do not include this investment. These are optional purchases but are unnecessary for the vehicle to run properly.

Make Sure to Keep All Documentation of the Entire Sale Process

It’s always important to keep all the documentation when you have a vehicle, from the window sticker to the vehicle history report. However, documentation is crucial when selling a vehicle. You need a paper trail that records your asking price and the sale price, particularly if you sold the car for less than the purchase price. 

Depending on your state, you may need to provide a bill of sale or other documentation to the DMV when transferring ownership of the vehicle.Additionally, for tax purposes when selling a car, it's important to keep records of the sale.

If you sell your car for less than you paid for it, you may be able to deduct the loss on your taxes. To do so, you’ll need to itemize your deductions and have documentation of the sale price and original purchase price. Remember that you can only deduct capital losses up to $3,000 annually. If your loss exceeds that, you can carry the excess loss to future tax years. Selling a car can be a bit complicated from a tax standpoint, but as long as you keep good records and consult with a tax professional if needed, you should be able to navigate the process without any problems.

GoodCar is Here to Help Answer Your Car Selling Questions!

Selling a car can be complex due to the tax implications that come with it. It is important for sellers to research local and federal laws regarding taxes when selling a car or trading in their vehicles. Additionally, if you sell your car for less than what you paid for it, make sure you understand any potential losses that could have an impact on your income taxes. By knowing the rules of taxation surrounding such transactions, sellers can ensure they get the most out of their sale while meeting all legal obligations.