Auto Loan Calculator

Car loan payments including sales tax, down payment and trade-in.

Auto Loan Calculator

Worked example result

Sales tax	$2,400.00
Amount financed	$27,400
Monthly payment	$529.72
Total interest	$4,383.13
Total cost of the car	$36,783

A $30,000 car with 8% tax and $5,000 down finances $27,400; at 6% over 60 months the payment is $529.72.

Price a car properly: this calculator adds sales tax to the vehicle price, subtracts your down payment and trade-in, then works out the monthly payment and total interest on the amount actually financed.

Dealers often quote payments on the sticker price alone — the tax line is where surprises hide.

The formula

Financed = Price + (Price × tax rate) − Down payment − Trade-in; Payment = P·r / (1 − (1+r)^−n)

Worked example

A $30,000 car with 8% tax and $5,000 down finances $27,400; at 6% over 60 months the payment is $529.72.

The example is pre-loaded in the result panel — press Calculate with your own numbers to replace it.

Frequently asked questions

Should I take a longer term to lower the payment?

A 72- or 84-month term lowers the monthly payment but you pay much more interest and risk owing more than the car is worth. Compare total interest here before deciding.

Does a trade-in reduce sales tax?

In many US states, yes — tax is charged on price minus trade-in. This calculator taxes the full price; if your state gives a trade-in credit, lower the vehicle price by the trade-in amount and set trade-in to 0 to model it.

Category: Finance calculators

Auto Loan Calculator