What you pay in tax when you buy a vehicle in District of Columbia, from the statute and the revenue department.
Verified September 21, 2026 · statute and revenue department cross-checked
The statute and the actual bill do not match. The statute and the DC Chief Financial Officer’s rate page still show a simple 6, 7 or 8 percent by weight. DC DMV actually applies a matrix from 1.0 to 11.0 percent based on weight and city fuel economy. This page uses the rates DMV applies.
District of Columbia gives no trade-in credit, so a trade-in does not reduce the taxable amount.
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Buying the car is only half the cost. You still owe an annual registration fee.
Washington DC is the only place that prices the tax on fuel economy. A heavy, thirsty vehicle pays 11 percent of book value while an efficient small car pays 1.5 percent. Electric vehicles lost their full exemption on February 17, 2025 and now pay 1 to 3 percent. The tax is on NADA fair market value, not what you paid, and there is no trade-in deduction.
DC DMV, Vehicle Title and Excise Tax Fees “Effective Monday, February 17, 2025, DC DMV’s system will automatically calculate the vehicle excise tax based on the excise tax formula ... Electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from vehicle excise tax. | 3,499 or less | 9.0% | 5.0% | 3.1% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.0%”
Last verified: September 21, 2026.
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Estimates only. Your dealer or the state issues the final bill, and exemptions can change what you owe. This page does not collect or store anything you enter.