Vehicle Taxability - Leasing & Dealers

Helpful Resources

Leasing and Auto Dealer Transactions

When buying a vehicle from an auto dealer, there are many options available to the consumer. Here we will provide information on how the sales tax applies to the different transactions that may occur.

Leases

A lease is any transfer of the possession or control of tangible personal property for a fixed or indefinite term, for consideration. Leases include future options to purchase or extend, and agreements where the amount of consideration may be increased or decreased by reference to the amount realized upon the sale or disposition of the property.

The link below will take you to a memo drafted by the Ohio Department of Taxation explaining how leases of motor vehicles are taxed.

Leasing Memo

Sales to Non-Residents of Ohio

Sales made in Ohio to a non-resident of Ohio that will be immediately removed from this state are generally exempt from Ohio sales tax. Sales of motor vehicles that will be immediately removed to Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and South Carolina are the only sales that are the exception to this rule. Please see the Information Release for details.

The below chart can be used for a quick guide on how to calculate sales tax for these states:

State	Sales Tax Rate	Trade-In Allowance	Special Provisions
Arizona	6.60%	Yes –New and Used
California	7.25%	No
Florida	6.00%	Yes- New and Used
Indiana	7.00%	Yes-New and Used	Nonresident exemption for RVs and trailers with a load capacity of at least 2200 pounds
Massachusetts	6.25%	Yes-New and Used
Michigan	6.00%	No
South Carolina	5.00%	Yes-New and Used	Tax cap of $300.00

Frequently Asked Questions Tool

The Ohio Department of Taxation has compiled a list of frequently asked questions covering many different categories.

To view the questions, click on the "Select Category" bar and then click on the category you are interested in. A list of questions will appear pertaining to that category. Then click on the question you are inquiring about and the answer will appear.

What charges are taxable or not taxable on leases?

These charges are NOT taxable for leases:

Credit life and disability insurance premiums

Late charges for payments made after the due date

Collection/repossession fees

Assumption fees billed a lessee when the lease is assumed by another lessee

Legal fees incurred by a lessor for collection proceedings against the lessee

Interim interest billed the lessee on a loan granted by the lessor prior to lease inception

Motor vehicle registration fees

“Noninsurance” fees charged to a lessee that fails to document adequate insurance

NSF (bad check) fees

ACH Debit fees

Parking ticket fees assessed on the leased vehicle and billed to the lessee

These charges are taxable for leases:

Luxury taxes

Acquisition fees

“GAP” or “reverse equity” fees

Disposition fees determined at lease termination

Property taxes

Payment or lease extension fees

Rewrite fees

Federal excise taxes levied on the lessor

Administration fees

Maintenance fees

UCC search fees

Title search fees

Excess wear or mileage fees

Turn in fees

Other or miscellaneous fees

Federal highway use tax levied on the lessor

Lien fees, fees for filing a lien against the leased property, when contractually levied on and paid by the lessor but passed on to the lessee