taxes

Motor Vehicle Tax Guide

Tax Rates

The tax due on a motor vehicle is calculated at the rate in effect on the date the owner purchased the motor vehicle in Texas or the date it was first brought into Texas for use in this state.

Current Tax Rate

The current motor vehicle tax rate is 6.25 percent.

Prior Tax Rates

The first Texas motor vehicle sales and use tax rate, in 1941, was 1 percent. The Texas Legislature increased the rate in subsequent years. In 1991, the tax rate was changed to the current rate of 6.25 percent. See the historical rates below.

Date	Tax Rate
05/1/41 – 02/25/50	1.00 percent
03/1/50 – 08/31/59	1.10 percent
09/1/59 – 06/30/63	1.50 percent
07/1/63 – 09/30/68	2.00 percent
10/1/68 – 06/30/71	3.00 percent
07/1/71 – 07/31/84	4.00 percent
08/1/84 – 08/31/87	5.00 percent
09/1/87 – 08/31/91	6.00 percent
09/1/91 – Present	6.25 percent

96-254
(09/2021)