Estimate your monthly car payment including trade-in, sales tax and fees.
Private and instant in your browser.
How is a monthly car loan payment calculated?
Amount financed = price + sales tax + fees − down payment − trade-in, with sales tax applied to (price − trade-in); the monthly payment then uses the standard amortization formula. For example, a 32,000 car with 4,000 down, a 3,000 trade-in, 7% tax, 600 fees and 6.5% APR over 60 months is roughly 530 per month. Tax handling varies by region.
Understanding your result
Tax handling varies by region; many U.S. states tax the price after the trade-in, which this tool assumes. Check your local rule for an exact figure.
Formula and method
Amount financed = price + sales tax + fees − down payment − trade-in, where sales tax is applied to (price − trade-in). Monthly payment uses the standard amortization formula.
Assumptions and limitations
This is an estimate for general guidance only and not financial advice. It assumes sales tax applies to the price after trade-in, which is not true everywhere, and it cannot know your exact fees, dealer add-ons or approved APR. Your real payment depends on the lender's terms and local rules, so confirm before signing.
Worked example
A 32,000 car with 4,000 down, a 3,000 trade-in, 7% sales tax, 600 fees and 6.5% APR over 60 months is roughly 530 per month.
How to use this tool
- Enter the vehicle price, down payment and trade-in.
- Add your sales tax rate, fees, APR and term.
- Press Calculate.
About the Auto Loan Calculator
The Auto Loan Calculator works out your monthly car payment after the down payment and trade-in, including sales tax and fees, so you can budget the real cost of financing a vehicle.
Who should use this tool
Anyone budgeting for a car purchase who wants to estimate the monthly repayment after a down payment and trade-in, with sales tax and fees folded in. Useful when comparing loan terms, negotiating at a dealership, or checking whether a vehicle fits your monthly budget before committing.
Benefits
- Estimates a realistic monthly payment, not just principal
- Includes down payment, trade-in, sales tax and fees
- Lets you test different terms and rates quickly
- Works privately in your browser with no sign-up
Practical use cases
- Checking whether a car fits your monthly budget
- Comparing 48, 60 and 72-month loan terms
- Seeing how a bigger down payment lowers payments
- Estimating the true cost before visiting a dealership
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Frequently asked questions
Does a trade-in lower my tax?
In many regions, yes — sales tax is charged on the price minus the trade-in value, which is how this calculator estimates it.
How does the down payment affect my monthly cost?
A larger down payment reduces the amount financed, which lowers both the monthly payment and the total interest paid over the loan. The tool subtracts your down payment and trade-in from the taxed price plus fees, then amortises the remaining balance across the number of months you enter.
Why might my dealer quote differ from this estimate?
Dealers may calculate sales tax differently, add extras such as warranties or documentation charges, or offer a rate based on your credit. This tool uses a common tax assumption and only the figures you enter, so treat its output as a budgeting guide rather than a binding quote.