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The trade-in offer looks lower. It might not be.

Compare what a dealer hands you against what selling privately really nets — including the sales-tax credit trade-ins earn in many states.

Your two numbers

01 / OFFERS
$
$
$
Private sale before hassle$0

The tax credit

02 / TAXES

In most states, when you buy a car at the same time you trade one in, you only pay sales tax on the difference — the trade-in value shaves real dollars off the tax bill.

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Don't leave money on the table.

Enter the dealer's offer, what you'd sell it for yourself, and your state's sales tax — the real winner may surprise you.

Last reviewed: October 2026.

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Honed Money provides calculators and educational information for general purposes only. It is not financial, tax, legal, investment, or insurance advice. Estimates are based on the information you enter and the assumptions shown. Actual results will vary. For taxes, retirement, and government benefits, verify with IRS.gov, SSA.gov, or VA.gov. We don’t sell financial products and aren’t paid for calculator results. Use at your own risk.