Arizona Vehicle Tax & Emissions by County (2026)
In Arizona, dealer car purchases are taxed at a combined rate of roughly 7.6% to 9.9% by county — but private-party sales owe no sales tax. The value-based VLT, $4 title, and registration fees are the same statewide, and emissions testing applies only in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Find your county below.
Rates verified July 2026 from the Arizona Dept. of Revenue and ADOT. Dealer rates are the typical combined figure at the county seat; the exact rate depends on the city/ZIP.
| County | Dealer tax (typical) | Private-party tax | Emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa | 9.1% | None | Required |
| Pima | 8.7% | None | Required |
| Pinal | 8.7% | None | Part of county |
| Yavapai | 9.2% | None | No |
| Mohave | 7.6% | None | No |
| Yuma | 8.7% | None | No |
| Coconino | 9.4% | None | No |
| Cochise | 8.1% | None | No |
| Navajo | 8.4% | None | No |
| Apache | 9.1% | None | No |
| Gila | 9.9% | None | No |
| Graham | 9.1% | None | No |
| Santa Cruz | 8.6% | None | No |
| La Paz | 8.6% | None | No |
| Greenlee | 6.1% | None | No |
Frequently asked questions
Does Arizona car tax vary by county?
For dealer purchases, yes — the combined Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) runs from about 7.6% (Mohave) to 9.9% (Gila), depending on county and city. But private-party (person-to-person) sales owe no sales tax anywhere in Arizona.
Do you pay sales tax on a used car bought from a private party in Arizona?
No. Arizona does not tax casual, private-party vehicle sales. You only pay TPT when you buy from a licensed dealer. Everyone still pays the annual value-based Vehicle License Tax (VLT).
What is the VLT in Arizona?
The Vehicle License Tax is a value-based fee charged in place of a personal-property tax. It's assessed on 60% of the MSRP, drops about 16.25% each year, and is the same formula statewide — it doesn't vary by county.
Which Arizona counties require emissions testing?
Only the Phoenix metro (Area A — most of Maricopa and part of Pinal) and the Tucson area (Area B — Pima County). The rest of Arizona has no emissions test.