Motor Vehicle Dealers
Preface
This publication is designed to help motor vehicle dealers understand California’s Sales and Use Tax Law as it applies
to the sale, lease, or use of a vehicle. Information about vehicle repairs and the sale and use of parts is provided in
publication 25, Auto Repair Garages and Service Stations. If you cannot find the information you are looking for in
this publication, please visit our website or call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711). Customer
service representatives are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays.
This publication complements publication 73, Your California Seller’s Permit, which includes general information
about obtaining a permit; using a resale certificate; collecting and reporting sales and use taxes; buying, selling, or
discontinuing a business; and keeping records. Please also refer to our website or the For More Information section
for the complete list of CDTFA regulations and publications referenced in this publication.
We welcome your suggestions for improving this or any other publication. If you would like to comment, please
provide your comments or suggestions directly to:
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Audit and Information Section, MIC:44
PO Box 942879
Sacramento CA, 94279-0044
Please note: This publication summarizes the law and applicable regulations in effect when the publication was
written. However, changes in the law or in regulations may have occurred since that time. If there is a conflict
between the text in this publication and the law, the decision will be based on the law and not on this publication.
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Motor Vehicle Sales
As a motor vehicle dealer or wholesaler, you must obtain a seller’s permit, and report and pay tax to us on your vehicle
sales. Some sales, however, are exempt from tax under the Sales and Use Tax Law. This section provides information
about how tax applies to vehicle sales and charges associated with those sales, such as license fees and dealer-installed
extras. Information is also provided on the tax impact of trade-ins, discounts, rebates, and factory-dealer incentives.
If you have any questions about how tax applies to your sales, please contact our Customer Service Center. For
additional information on leases and rentals, please see Vehicle Leases and Rentals.
Introduction
There are a variety of rules that govern how tax applies to sales of new and used motor vehicles. Most of your sales
may involve purchases made by private individuals who will use the vehicle in California for personal or business
purposes. In those instances, the transaction is generally subject to tax. However, some vehicle sales may not be
taxable based on certain criteria. You must maintain proper documentation on these sales.
A person located in California, who makes three or more sales of tangible personal property (for example, vehicles)
in a 12-month period, is a retailer. California law requires retailers to hold a seller’s permit. Generally, this is true
regardless of whether the sales are at retail, for resale, or delivered outside California, even though the vehicle
delivered outside of California would not be subject to California sales tax.
California seller’s permit requirements—dealers, wholesalers, and brokers
Dealers and wholesalers
We require motor vehicle dealers and wholesalers to register
for a seller’s permit. When you sell or lease vehicles or
merchandise in California, even temporarily, you are required
to hold a seller’s permit. If you hold a seller’s permit, you must
report and pay sales and use tax due on your returns.
Used motor vehicle dealers
Effective January 1, 2021, certain used motor vehicle dealers
were required to begin paying sales tax on their retail sales
of used motor vehicles directly to the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV). Used motor vehicle dealers not paying sales
tax directly to DMV that made 300 or fewer vehicle sales in
calendar year 2021 were required to begin paying sales tax directly to DMV on
January 1, 2023. All other used motor vehicle dealers will be required to begin paying tax directly to DMV on
January 1, 2026. DMV will notify used motor vehicle dealers in advance of when their payment method is set to
change. Used motor vehicle dealers must continue to report and pay the taxes due to us until they are transitioned
to the DMV payment process. Used vehicle dealers should continue to file returns with us on time, which should
include their dealer license number and detailed transaction information, including any sales tax paid to DMV.
For additional information, please see the Industry Topics tab of our online Tax Guide for Motor Vehicle Dealers.
Then view the Sales of Vehicles heading and Used Vehicle Dealers subheading to find information applicable to
used vehicle dealers and these new reporting and payment requirements.
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Brokers
A broker is a retailer if they have the power to transfer title to property, and exercise it, either:
• By holding title to the property before its sale,
• By completing a bill of sale to the buyer under power of attorney from the legal owner, or
• By getting a signed bill of sale from the legal owner and delivering it to the buyer.
When entering any transactions in which you have the power to transfer title to a vehicle, you are a retailer in those
transactions and must hold a seller’s permit.
A true broker’s authority, however, is limited to getting offers from potential buyers and conveying the offers to
vehicle owners for their acceptance. As a true broker, you are not liable for the tax, and not required to hold a seller’s
permit. In transactions in which buyers deal with a true broker, the buyer will be liable for use tax.
As a broker, you may collect the use tax due on a purchase of a vehicle as a convenience to your customer. If you
collect the use tax from a buyer and provide a receipt, you (the broker), not the buyer, are liable for the use tax
amount paid and must pay that amount to us. If we later discover that additional use tax is due, the buyer is liable
for the additional tax. This procedure allows financing the tax in the purchase price of the vehicle and helps avoid
future misunderstandings about the buyer’s use tax liability.
Buyers must be sure to keep a receipt for any use tax paid to a broker.
If a broker provides this service, they must forward the use tax to us with a statement that shows:
• The name and address of the buyer,
• The full purchase price of vehicle, and
• The vehicle identification number (VIN).
You can report your purchase of vehicles subject to use tax on our website at www.cdtfa.ca.gov by selecting
Register for a Permit, and then selecting Pay Use Tax, File an Exemption for a Vehicle, Vessel, Aircraft, or Mobile Home.
You can also report your purchases of vehicles subject to use tax in person at any of our offices. Please contact our
Customer Service Center for assistance at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711).
Specic types of sales
Sales of previously leased or rented vehicles
When previously leased or rented vehicles are sold, tax applies to the total selling price, regardless of tax that may
have been previously paid on the lease or rental receipts. (See note below if you are licensed as a lessor-retailer with
DMV.)
If a lessee chooses to buy a vehicle as part of a lease agreement, you must report and pay sales tax based on the
amount required to be paid upon exercise of that option.
Please note: Licensed Lessor-Retailers
If you sell and lease vehicles and are licensed by DMV as a lessor-retailer, the following special rules apply to the
retail sale of a leased vehicle:
• If you sell the vehicle to the lessee, you are not required to file a report of sale with DMV. You are also not liable
for sales tax on the transaction; however, the lessee will be required to pay use tax when they register the
vehicle. (If you do file a report of sale when selling to the lessee, even though you are not required to do so, you
will owe sales tax on the sale.)
• If you make a retail sale of a leased vehicle to someone other than the lessee, you are required to file a report of
sale and to report and pay sales tax.
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Transfer of a vehicle to a lessee by a lessor —as a sale for resale
The sale of a vehicle to a lessee by a lessor may be considered a nontaxable sale for resale. If the lessee transfers title
and registration to a third party within 10 days from the date the lessee acquires title from the lessor at the expiration or
termination of a lease, we will presume the sale to be a sale for resale. Transfer of title and registration occurs when
the lessee signs the certificate of ownership.
As the lessor, or seller, you may accept a resale certificate from a purchaser who intends to resell the vehicle.
Assuming that the purchaser is not engaged in the business of selling vehicles, as defined in Regulation 1595,
Occasional Sales—Sale of a Business—Business Reorganization, the purchaser must include on the resale certificate
a specific description of the vehicle, including the serial number (vehicle’s identification number [VIN]). For more
information on resale certificates, refer to Regulation 1668, Sales for Resale, and Regulation 1610, Vehicles, Vessels,
and Aircraft.
If the purchaser of the vehicle is not required to hold a seller’s permit because the purchaser only sells property
of a kind the retail sale of which is not taxable, or because the purchaser, for example, sells vehicles exclusively in
interstate commerce, the purchaser must include an appropriate notation to that affect in lieu of a seller’s permit
number on the resale certificate (CDTFA-230, General Resale Certificate). For example, the purchaser may state on
the resale certificate under number 1, I hold valid seller’s permit number: I am not required to hold a California seller’s
permit because I make no sales in this state.
If such a resale certificate is issued timely by the purchaser and taken in good faith by the lessor, or seller, it is
considered a valid resale certificate and the certificate relieves the lessor, or seller, from liability for the sales tax and
the duty of collecting the use tax.
A person that has a seller’s permit (for example, a jewelry store owner) shouldn’t issue a resale certificate using their
seller’s permit number for items they are not reselling in their business operations. Since the jewelry store owner is
not in the business of selling vehicles, they would issue a resale certificate with a specific description of the vehicle
including the VIN. In place of a seller’s permit number, they would state that they are purchasing the vehicle for the
purpose of reselling the vehicle within 10 days from acquiring title, as referenced in Regulation 1610.
This would be an occasional sale for the jewelry store owner, not a sale made in the regular course of business.
If the purchaser insists that the purchaser is buying for resale property of a kind not normally resold in the
purchaser’s business, the seller should require a resale certificate containing a statement that the specific property
is being purchased for resale in the regular course of business.
To document the ten days from the date the title was received, the lessee may request that you send the title via
registered mail. This will supply supporting information indicating the day the title is received by the lessee. That
day starts the 10-day period in which title and registration must be transferred to a third party to be considered
a nontaxable sale for resale. If the lessee fails to resell the vehicle within the 10-day period, the lessee will be
responsible for the tax based on the purchase price from the lessor.
If the lessee sells the vehicle and transfers title and registration to a third party within the 10-day period, generally,
the purchaser (third party) must pay use tax to DMV at the time of registration.
Company vehicles and demonstration vehicles
Tax applies to the sale or purchase of company cars for a company’s own use, such as parts or service department
vehicles or tow trucks, among others, in the same manner as it applies to other vehicle sales. Sales or use of these
vehicles should not be overlooked for tax reporting purposes and recorded in the normal manner with regular
sales.
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Demonstration vehicles being held for resale or lease and used solely for demonstration or display purposes are not
subject to tax until sold. However, vehicles that are held for resale or lease and used even partly for purposes other
than demonstration or display may be subject to use tax. (See Vehicles Used for Purposes Other Than Resale or
Lease.)
Repossessed vehicles
The sale of a repossessed vehicle is no different for tax purposes than other retail sales. If you transfer a repossessed
vehicle to a third party who assumes the unpaid contract, you must report and pay sales tax based on the total sales
price.
Vehicles purchased for use outside California
You are generally not required to report tax on a vehicle that is sold and delivered for use outside California. You
must establish that the vehicle was delivered to the purchaser outside California (for example, delivered by your
employee or by common carrier) and that the purchaser did not take possession of the vehicle in California.
Required documentation
Documentation may include evidence of the
customer’s out-of-state address, such as utility bills or
property tax bills.
If the delivery is made by a common or contract
carrier, customs broker, or forwarding agent,
documents supporting the delivery or shipment may
include bills of lading.
If delivery is made by facilities operated by the
retailer, documents such as:
• The employee’s expense claims that include fuel
or hotel receipts, or
• A statement signed by the delivery person and
the purchaser, such as a
CDTFA-448, Statement of Delivery Outside California, certifying delivery of the vehicle to
an out-of-state location, may be used.
We recommend that you have this statement notarized at the out-of-state delivery point. This form can be used by
a dealer to certify a vehicle was delivered to a purchaser at an out-of-state location. It is also used by a purchaser to
support the fact that delivery was accepted out of state. Once completed, the original must be returned to you for
your records.
If your customer claims the sale is not subject to tax because the vehicle is being purchased for use outside California
and you know the customer is a resident of this state, it is important to obtain a signed statement (CDTFA-447,
Statement Pursuant to section 6247 of the California Sales and Use Tax Law) certifying that the vehicle is being purchased
for use outside California. You may also use a statement that is substantially similar to CDTFA-447. If you do not obtain
a signed statement from the customer, we will consider the vehicle to have been purchased for use in this state, and
you must collect tax on the sale. A dealer may complete DMV registration of a vehicle for its California customers.
However, if the dealer accepts a CDTFA-447 from a California resident who requests the dealer register the vehicle in
California, we may question the dealer’s good faith acceptance of this certification.
If all of the above conditions are met for delivery outside the state, you are generally not required to pay tax on the
sale. Although you must report the sale as part of total gross receipts on your tax return, you may claim the amount
of the sale as a deduction on the same return under Sales in Interstate or Foreign Commerce.
Although you are not required to pay or collect tax on a vehicle purchased and delivered for use outside California (as
described above), the buyer may be required to pay use tax. (See publication 52, Vehicles and Vessels: Use Tax.)
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Vehicles purchased for use in this state
A vehicle purchased out of state and brought into California is regarded as having been purchased for use in this
state if the first functional use of the vehicle is in California. In this case, the buyer is generally liable to pay use tax
on the purchase price of the vehicle. The applicable use tax rate is determined by where the vehicle is garaged and
used. (See Special Taxing Jurisdictions.)
When the vehicle enters California but was first functionally used outside of California, we will presume the vehicle
was purchased for use in this state unless certain criteria are met and documentation can be provided as proof of
the intent of out-of-state use. Please refer to publication 52, Vehicles and Vessels: Use Tax, which includes
a CDTFA-106, Vehicle/Vessel Use Tax Clearance Request.
Vehicles purchased for out-of-state use and brought into California for warranty or repair service
Customers may bring vehicles into California for you to repair from locations outside California. Tax applies to your
charges for work on those vehicles in the same way it does to your other warranty or repair jobs, but you may need
to provide some extra documentation to your customer. California law provides a use tax exclusion for vehicles
purchased outside California and brought into this state for the exclusive purpose of warranty or repair work for no
more than 30 days. The 30-day period includes any travel time to and from the repair facility. When you perform
warranty work on a vehicle brought into California, your invoice or work order should show the dates the vehicle
was in your possession. That will help your customer show, if necessary, that the vehicle may be eligible for the use
tax exclusion. As noted above, this has no influence on how you apply tax to your warranty or repair charges. For
additional information, please refer to publication 52.
Vehicles used in interstate commerce
In general, if you sell a vehicle for use in interstate commerce (to transport people or property for hire between
states), you are not required to report tax on the sale. However, the following conditions must be met for this
exemption to apply:
• The vehicle must be delivered to the purchaser outside California.
• You must obtain from the buyer a signed statement, taken in good faith, certifying the following:
1) That the vehicle will be functionally used in interstate commerce prior to its entry into California,
2) That the vehicle will be used continuously in interstate commerce, both within and outside California, and
3) That the buyer understands that if we determine, based on the vehicle’s use, that use tax is payable, they will
pay the tax directly to us. (See Customer’s liability if vehicle is used in California.)
If you deliver or ship a vehicle to an out-of-state location for use in interstate commerce, you need to retain:
1) Documents supporting the delivery or shipment, such as bills of lading and employee expense claims,
among others, or
2) A notarized statement signed by the delivery person and the purchaser certifying delivery of the vehicle to
an out-of-state location.
You can use CDTFA-448, Statement of Delivery Outside California, or a statement that is substantially similar to
CDTFA-448.
If all the above conditions are met, you are generally not required to pay tax on the sale. Although you must report
the sale as part of total gross receipts on your tax return, you may claim the amount of the sale as a deduction on
the same return, under Sales in Interstate or Foreign Commerce.
Customer’s liability if vehicle is used in California
Although you are not required to pay or collect tax on a vehicle purchased and delivered for use in interstate
commerce (as described above), the buyer may be required to pay use tax unless certain criteria are followed as set
by California law. Please refer to
Regulation 1620, Interstate and Foreign Commerce, or publication 52 for additional
information.
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Sales and purchases of certain trucks and trailers used out-of-state or in interstate or foreign commerce
This exemption applies to certain new, used, or remanufactured trucks
*
and new, used, or remanufactured trailers
and semi-trailers,
**
with an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or more, delivered to residents or non-residents in
California, and that are removed from the state within a specified time and thereafter used exclusively in out-of-
state, interstate, or foreign commerce.
***
For this exemption to apply, the following criteria must be met:
1) A truck or trailer that is manufactured or remanufactured outside California must be removed from California
within 30 days from the date of delivery, or a truck or trailer that is manufactured or remanufactured within
California must be removed from California within 75 days from the date of delivery.
2) The purchaser or purchaser’s agent must provide a valid affidavit as described below to the manufacturer,
remanufacturer, or dealer, stating:
a. The name and location of the dealer from whom the truck or trailer was purchased,
b. The name and location of the California dealer, manufacturer, or remanufacturer that delivered the truck or
trailer to the purchaser and the date of delivery,
c. The vehicle was purchased for use exclusively outside California, exclusively in interstate or foreign
commerce, or both,
d. The vehicle was removed from the state within the appropriate time periods provided for in
Regulation 1620.1, subdivision (b)(3)(A)(1), and
e. The date of removal.
3) If the truck or trailer is registered outside this state, the purchaser or purchaser’s agent must also provide the
delivering manufacturer, remanufacturer, or dealer a copy of the current out-of-state license and registration
for the truck or trailer showing the VIN or serial number.
a. Evidence of registration outside California must be submitted to the dealer, manufacturer, or
remanufacturer no later than 60 days after the timely providing of an affidavit described in
Regulation 1620.1, subdivision (b)(3)(A)(3).
4) If the truck or trailer is registered in-state with an apportioned plate under the International Registration Plan
(IRP) or Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) program, the purchaser or purchaser’s agent must provide the
delivering manufacturer, remanufacturer, or dealer a copy of the federal document assigning or confirming
the purchaser’s or lessee’s United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number, Federal Maritime
Commission (FMC) number, or a copy of the current United Carrier Registration (UCR) system filing with DMV.
(Descriptions of the IRP, PTI, USDOT, FMC, and UCR programs are included in Regulation 1620.1, subdivision
(a).)
a. Evidence of a USDOT number, FMC number, or UCR filing must be submitted with the affidavit.
b. A purchaser or purchaser’s agent may not use an FMC number if the purchaser has a current USDOT
number.
Purchasers should use CDTFA–837, Affidavit for Section 6388 or 6388.5 Exemption from the California Sales and Use
Tax, or an equivalent affidavit as described above and in Regulation 1620.1, Sales of Certain Vehicles and Trailers for
Use in Interstate or Out-of-State Commerce.
*
Assembly Bill 321 (2019) added “new, used, or remanufactured trucks” as exempt effective September 5, 2019.
**
Assembly Bill 314 (2023) added “used trailers and semi-trailers” as exempt effective October 8, 2023, and extended
the sunset date for both broadened exemptions until January 1, 2029.
***
New, used, or remanufactured trucks sold or purchased prior to September 5, 2019, and used trailers and semi-
trailers sold or purchased prior to October 8, 2023, are not eligible for exemption.
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Sales of vehicles
Military personnel
Sales of a vehicle to a member of the military who is on active duty by a dealer,
manufacturer, or dismantler who is licensed or certificated in California may
not be subject to sales tax. Please refer to Regulation 1610, Vehicles, Vessels, and
Aircraft, or publication 52, Vehicles and Vessels: Use Tax.
Disabled veterans
A partial sales tax exemption may apply to sales of vehicles to disabled veterans.
If a portion of the payment is made by the veteran and a portion is paid directly
by the Veterans Administration, tax applies only to the amount paid by the
veteran. (See Modifications of vehicles for persons with disabilities.)
Supporting documents for sales to disabled veterans
Any seller claiming a transaction as exempt or partially exempt under these
circumstances must obtain and retain from the purchaser a government
purchase order or documents demonstrating direct payment by the Veterans
Administration to support the claim.
When you make a tax-exempt or partially exempt sale or lease, be sure to retain documentation clearly showing
that the transaction is a sale to the U.S. government. Documentation can include items such as:
• Purchase orders,
• Documents showing direct payment by the U.S. government, and
• Shipping and related documents if there is a question that the merchandise might have been sold directly to
an individual in the armed services rather than to the U.S. government.
The documentation furnished by the Veterans Administration parallels that of other purchases by the U.S. government.
In addition, the selling dealer is required to show the Veterans Administration as the actual purchaser on the sales
invoice to the extent that payment is made by the Veterans Administration. However, the vehicle must be registered
in the purchaser’s name and all other documents must reflect the disabled veteran as the purchaser. Verification of the
validity of the exemption must readily be available by examination of the customer folder (car jacket).
Residents of a foreign country
Subject to certain conditions, neither sales tax nor use tax applies to the sale of a new, noncommercial motor
vehicle manufactured in the United States and sold to a resident of a foreign country.
Please note: This exemption applies only to residents of a foreign country and does not apply to California residents
or residents of other states. The exemption allows the foreign purchaser to operate the vehicle in California for the
valid period of the in-transit permit without payment of sales or use tax on the purchase.
To qualify for the exemption, the following conditions must be met:
• The foreign resident must have arranged for the purchase through an authorized vehicle dealer in the foreign
country before coming to the United States.
• The purchaser must obtain an in-transit permit from DMV, as required by section 6700.1 of the Vehicle Code.
• Before the 30-day in-transit permit expires, the retailer must deliver or ship the vehicle to a point outside the
United States by means of:
• Facilities of the retailer (for example, having the vehicle driven to a foreign destination by a dealership
employee or using dealership equipment to make the delivery), or
• A carrier, forwarding agent, export packer, customs broker, or other person engaged in the business of
preparing property for export, or arranging for its export (third-party delivery company).
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If you claim this exemption, you must obtain and retain evidence to support your claim. Examples of vehicle export
evidence that you deliver or ship to a foreign country by your employees or by other means include the following:
• Bills of lading
• Import documents of a foreign country
• Employee expense claims
• Fuel purchase receipts and motel receipts
If a vehicle is not removed from this country as required above, you as the retailer will be liable for the sales tax, as well
as applicable fees and penalties provided for in Vehicle Code section 6700.1 subdivision (a). That section also provides
that if the conditions of the in-transit permit are not met, the manufacturer of the new motor vehicle sold to a foreign
purchaser under the above conditions will reimburse the retailer for an amount equal to the sales tax and registration
fees and penalties paid by the retailer. Such amounts received by the retailer from the manufacturer are not
considered part of the gross receipts from the sale of the vehicle. (See Regulation 1610, Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft.)
Sales or leases of vehicles to foreign consuls or consular missions
The sale or lease of vehicles to foreign consular officers, employees, or members of their families will be exempt from
sales and use tax if, at the time of the transaction, the purchaser or lessee provides a “Tax Exemption Card” to the
retailer, and the retailer or lessor requests and obtains an eligibility letter directly from the U.S. State Department,
Office of Foreign Missions (OFM), and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) verifying the tax exemption for each
vehicle.
The OFM and AIT issue Tax Exemption Cards to qualifying foreign diplomatic personnel. The cards include a
photograph and a description of the authorized bearer and specify either that all transactions or only transactions
that exceed a stated amount (threshold level) are exempt. Some cards limit the exemption to official purchases only
and do not apply to personal purchases.
The retailer or lessor must retain an invoice or other written evidence of the sale and attach a photocopy of the
front and back of the card, the number of the exemption card, the letter supporting the tax exemption, and the
exemption threshold level specified on the card to support this type of claimed exempt sale. The seller may also
request additional identification from the buyer, such as a U.S. State Department driver license or diplomatic
identification card.
If you have questions or concerns regarding these procedures, please contact the OFM at 1-415-744-2910 in
San Francisco or 1-310-235-6292 in Los Angeles.
Please note: Vehicles that are sold and registered to foreign governments (rather than to diplomatic personnel of
those governments) are generally subject to sales tax. For additional information, refer to Regulation 1619, Foreign
Missions and Consuls.
U.S. government agencies
Sales tax does not apply to the following:
• Sales to the U.S. government or its unincorporated agencies and instrumentalities.
• Sales to any incorporated agency or instrumentality of the United States owned wholly either by the United
States or by a corporation wholly owned by the United States.
• Sales to the American National Red Cross, its chapters, and branches.
You must obtain and keep copies of government purchase orders or remittance advices to support claimed
exemptions.
Please note: Generally, tax applies to sales to state, county, and city government agencies. In addition, the following
organizations are not considered exempt agencies of the United States. Consequently, sales to these and other
nonexempt organizations are subject to tax:
• American Legion posts in federal areas
• Community action organizations
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• District agricultural associations
• National Guard
Federal credit unions and other federal banks
If you sell a vehicle to a federal credit union, a federal home loan bank, a federal land bank, or a federal reserve
bank, the sale is exempt from sales tax because, under federal law, such banks and federal credit unions are exempt
from direct state taxation. Sales to other banks and credit unions, however, are generally subject to tax.
For additional information, refer to Regulation 1614, Sales to the United States and Its Instrumentalities, and
publication 102, Sales to the United States Government.
Dealer sales of vehicles to Indians—Retailers located outside Indian country
Tax generally applies to a dealer’s sales of vehicles to Indians in the same way it does to sales of other merchandise.
However, sales tax generally does not apply to sales to Indians who live in Indian country when the vehicle is
delivered in Indian country and ownership also transfers to the Indian in Indian country. The sale does not qualify
for the exemption if the Indian takes possession of the vehicle before delivery in Indian country. The same principles
apply to sales to Indian organizations.
Please note: “Indian“ refers to Native American; “Indian country” generally has the same meaning as a “reservation.”
For additional information on documenting sales to Indians who live in Indian country or Indian organizations
located in Indian country, see publication 146, Sales to Native Americans and Sales in Indian Country, or call our
Consumer Use Tax Section directly at 1-916-445-9524.
Sales to other dealers for resale
Department of Motor Vehicles dealer license verication/status
You can search for a dealer’s license online or check the current license status of businesses licensed by DMV. To use
DMV’s Occupational License Information System, go to www.dmv.ca.gov.
New car resales to other new car dealers with the same franchise
California Vehicle Code section 11713.1 subdivision (f)(1) prohibits a dealer from purchasing a new motor vehicle for
resale of a line or make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise. An example would be the purchase of a new Ford
by a Chevrolet dealer. As a new car dealer, you are advised not to accept a resale certificate for this type of transaction.
Because this type of transaction is in violation of the dealer’s license, you may not accept the resale certificate in good
faith, even if it contains a statement that the specific vehicle is being purchased for resale in the regular course of
business.
If a franchised dealer sells a vehicle to another franchised new vehicle dealer of the same line, the first dealer must
submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. (See www.dmv.ca.gov). The selling dealer is not required to report
the transaction on its Wholesale Report of Sale.
Used car resales
If you sell or trade a new or used vehicle to another dealer for resale, you are not required to report tax on the sale if
the buyer provides you with a valid resale certificate at the time of trade or purchase. When such sales are made
to dealers who handle the same line of vehicles, there is generally little difficulty in showing that the sales were for
resale; however, you should always maintain proper documentation.
The Wholesale Report of Sale is prepared to report sales of used vehicles from dealer to dealer. This includes wholesale
transactions to out-of-state or out-of-country dealers, scrap metal processors, and dismantlers. In the case of a
wholesale roll back, the buyer must complete a Wholesale Report of Sale reporting the sale back to the selling dealer.
However, there are instances when another dealer will purchase a vehicle for a purpose other than for resale. For
example, you may sell a Chevrolet truck to a Buick dealer who will use the truck for the parts department. Because
the purchase is not for resale, you cannot accept a resale certificate and must report and pay sales tax.
*
* Effective January 1, 2021, used vehicle dealers have new reporting and payment requirements. Please see the
Used motor vehicle dealers section for more information.
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Sales to leasing companies
Under the provisions of Regulation 1660, Leases of Tangible Personal Property–In General, the lessor may give a resale
certificate if the lessor reports tax measured by the rentals payable.
Passenger and other vehicles
Passenger vehicles and other vehicles that are not defined as mobile transportation equipment may be sold to
leasing companies for resale under certain conditions. The purchaser must provide a valid resale certificate to the
seller in the proper form as described in Regulation 1668, Sales for Resale. The certificate must contain:
• The signature of the purchaser, purchaser’s employee, or authorized representative of the purchaser.
• The name and address of the purchaser.
• The number of the seller’s permit held by the purchaser.
• The phrase “for resale.” The use of phrases such as “nontaxable,” “exempt,” or similar terminology is not
acceptable.
The purchaser must provide the resale certificate to the seller in a timely manner.
Timely acceptance of resale certicate
When making a sale for resale, you must obtain a resale certificate from your customer in a timely manner. Timely
means any of the following:
• Before you bill the purchaser for the sale;
• At any time within your normal billing and payment cycle; or
• At any time prior to, or upon, delivery of the item.
Accepting a resale certificate late does not relieve you of liability for the tax. If we question a transaction and you
accepted a late certificate, you will be required to present other satisfactory evidence to verify that the sale was a
nontaxable sale for resale. (See Regulation 1668.) The seller may accept the certificate in good faith only if:
1) The property being purchased is for resale, and
2) The person is engaged in the business of selling the type of tangible personal property being purchased.
Property purchased by issuing a resale certificate must be described either by an itemized list of the particular
property to be purchased for resale or by a general description of the kind of property to be purchased for resale.
If a purchaser issues a general (blanket) resale certificate which provides a general description of the items to be
purchased and wishes to designate on each purchase order whether the property being purchased is for resale,
the seller must obtain a qualified resale certificate, for example, one that states “see purchase order” in the space
provided for a description of the property to be purchased.
If a leasing company is buying both for resale and “tax paid at source,” all purchase orders from that leasing
company must be carefully marked as either taxable or for resale.
If a purchaser issues a general (blanket) resale certificate, the purchase order issued by the purchaser to the seller
supersedes a resale certificate.
The vehicles must be registered in the manner prescribed by section 4453.5 of the California Vehicle Code—that
is, either in the name of the lessor or the lessor and lessee jointly. If a vehicle is registered in the name of the lessee
only, we consider the transaction a retail sale and subject to tax.
Lessors who own vehicles registered in the names of lessees may only have the registration changed to show either
the lessor or the lessor and lessee relationship on the registration card. Under these circumstances, lessors may
continue to pay tax based on the rental receipts. Further information on sales of vehicles to leasing companies is
included in Regulation 1610, Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft.
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Mobile transportation equipment (MTE)
Leasing companies that purchase mobile
transportation equipment (defined under
Vehicle Leases and Rentals) are not generally
considered retailers of the equipment being
purchased; rather, they are generally considered
consumers (users) of such equipment. As a result,
consumers of mobile transportation equipment
must report and pay tax on the sale.
Please note: You can sell mobile transportation equipment to a leasing company without paying tax if the following
conditions are met:
• The leasing company issues a valid and timely resale certificate, and
• The leasing company issues the resale certificate for the limited purpose of reporting use tax liability based on
the fair rental value of the equipment. (See Vehicle Leases and Rentals.)
Dismantlers and Auctions
Your sales of vehicles, motorhomes, commercial coaches, and salvage vehicles are taxable retail sales unless you
timely and in good faith accept a completed resale certificate from someone who is licensed, registered, regulated, or
certified as a dealer, dismantler, automotive repair dealer, or is a qualified scrap metal processor. The resale certificate
must include all of the required elements as stated in Regulation 1566.1, Auto Auctions and Auto Dismantlers.
The certificate must contain:
• The signature of the purchaser, purchaser’s employee, or authorized representative of the purchaser.
• The name and address of the purchaser.
• The number of the seller’s permit held by the purchaser. If the purchaser is not required to hold a permit
because the purchaser makes no sales in this state, the purchaser must include on the certificate the reason
they are not required to hold a California seller’s permit in place of a seller’s permit number.
• A statement that the property described in the document is purchased for resale in the regular course of
business. The document must contain the phrase “for resale.” The use of phrases such as “nontaxable,”
“exempt,” or similar terminology is not acceptable.
• The property to be purchased under the certificate must be described either by an itemized list of the particular
property to be purchased for resale or by a general description of property to be purchased for resale.
• A statement that the purchaser is licensed, registered, regulated, or certified as a dealer, dismantler, automotive
repair dealer, or is a qualified scrap metal processor.
• The license or registration number held by the purchaser, as applicable.
• If the purchaser is regulated by another state, the certificate should identify the state.
• Date of execution of the document.
For your convenience, we developed CDTFA-230-F, California Resale Certificate-Sales by Auto Auctions and Auto
Dismantlers. For additional information, please call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711).
Other types of sales
Sales of vehicles owned by dealership personnel (accommodation sales)
Personal cars of managers, salespersons, employees, or other personnel are often displayed for sale at a motor
vehicle dealer’s place of business, or a dealer may otherwise aid in the sale. As a motor vehicle dealer, you must
report and pay sales tax if either of the following occurs:
• You report the sale to DMV on a Dealer’s Report of Sale.
• You execute a conditional sales contract on which your name appears as the seller.
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Transfer of equity sales
To prevent a default or repossession of a vehicle, you may participate in arranging for a transfer of equity from the original
purchaser to another party. Under certain conditions, you may be required to report and pay tax on such transfers.
For example, if you assist in the transfer by displaying the vehicles for sale on your lot, obtaining the new purchaser,
and negotiating the transfers at your place of business, you may be liable for sales tax. If your participation is only
incidental and the negotiations are handled by the parties and lending institutions, you have no sales tax liability
for the transfer. However, if you prepare a Dealer’s Report of Sale to DMV, or if you execute a conditional sales
contract as the seller, you will be liable for sales tax on the transfer.
Please note: A transfer of equity is a sale between two individuals in which the purchaser assumes the conditional
sales contract balance of the seller. A true transfer of equity, in which the motor vehicle dealer has no function other
than the approval of the transferee, results in no additional tax liability to the dealer.
Consignment sales
If you sell a vehicle for a person on a consignment basis, the transfer and sale to the customer are considered to be
a sale made by the dealer. Consequently, sales tax must be reported and paid on the sale in the same manner as for
any other sale.
Vehicle auction
A Vehicle Auction Wholesale Report of Sale is required
for the sale or transfer of a vehicle by a dealer conducting
a wholesale motor vehicle auction. These forms may be
computer generated or ordered from DMV at www.dmv.ca.gov
and include the vehicle identification number of the vehicle,
true mileage, buyer’s name, auction’s name and number,
and the seller’s name and signature. In addition to this form,
the dealer is still responsible for completing and filing the
Wholesale Report of Sale.
Special charges related to motor vehicle sales
License fees
Sales tax does not apply to license fees that you collect from a customer and pay to DMV. If, however, you collect
more than the amount required by DMV, you must report and pay tax on the excess amount collected.
Dealer-free full tank of gas
As a dealer, you may or may not be able to use a resale certificate to purchase fuel. Sales tax does not apply to
purchases made with a valid resale certificate when you intend to resell the fuel at the time of purchase. Whether
you can use a resale certificate will depend on whether you are considered the consumer of the fuel or the retailer.
Unless you make a separate charge for gasoline, you are not liable for reporting tax on gasoline that is prepaid
along with the vehicle at the time of sale, as we consider it sold as part of the vehicle.
If you purchased gas tax paid that you sold with your vehicles, please see Claiming a tax-paid purchase resold
deduction for gasoline and diesel fuel for information about claiming a deduction on your return.
Labor and services
Charges for repair, installation, and maintenance labor on customer owned vehicles are generally not taxable.
Generally, you must state labor and service charges separately on your customer invoices. For example:
• Installation labor on used vehicles such as replacing spark plugs, replacing brake shoes or pads, removing and
installing engines, or installing sound and video systems.
• Repair labor to bring a vehicle back to its original condition. Examples of repair labor include rebuilding
carburetors or heads, replacing parts in engines or transmissions, and performing body and fender work.
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• Maintenance services such as tune-ups, oil changes, or radiator flushes.
• Services such as charging a battery or towing a vehicle.
Exceptions: While sales or use taxes may generally not apply to repair, installation, and maintenance labor, there
are two exceptions. (See Dealer installed extras and Fabrication labor.) For additional information, please refer to
Regulation 1546, Installing, Repairing, Reconditioning in General.
Dealer installed extras
Prior to delivery, you may install accessories such as sound and video systems, air conditioning units, and trailer
hitches, among others, in connection with the sale of the vehicle. The charges for these dealer-installed extras,
including installation labor charges, are subject to tax as fabrication labor and must be included as part of the
selling price on which tax is based. (See Fabrication labor.) Tax also applies to charges for undersealing, or similar
charges, even if the work is sublet and only involves labor or services.
Fabrication labor
Labor to install parts or accessories on a new or used vehicle, if the vehicle is owned by the dealer prior to sale, is
considered a stage in the creation or production of the vehicle, and as a result, the labor charge is taxable.
When you install parts or accessories on a new vehicle, your labor charge is part of the production of the new vehicle
and is taxable fabrication labor. Generally, we consider you to be working on a new vehicle if both of the following
apply:
• The vehicle qualifies as a new vehicle when it is registered with DMV, and
• You contract to work on the vehicle within 60 days of the registration date.
Examples of fabrication labor include adding utility boxes to a new truck, putting a sound or video system into a
new car, or converting a new van.
The entire selling price of vehicles in your inventory that you repair or install new or used parts is subject to tax,
whether or not the charges are separately stated.
For additional information, please see Regulation 1526, Producing, Fabricating and Processing Property Furnished by
Consumers—General Rules; Regulation 1546, Installing, Repairing, Reconditioning in General; publication 108, Labor
Charges; and publication 25, Auto Repair Garages and Service Stations.
Exceptions: Fabrication labor for new vehicles is not taxable if the work qualifies as a sale for resale (see
Sales to other dealers for resale) or a sale to the U.S. government (see U.S. government agencies). In addition, your
charges for materials and labor for vehicle modifications that enable the vehicle to be used or driven by a physically
handicapped person may not be taxable.
For more information about exemptions for modifications to vehicles used by physically disabled
people, see Regulation 1591.3, Vehicles for Physically Handicapped Persons. In this publication, please see
Modifications to vehicles used by people with disabilities. If you have additional questions, please call our
Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711).
Documentation fees
Charges for document preparation (doc fees) in connection with the sale of a vehicle, such as transfer papers
required by DMV, are subject to tax.
Federal retail excise tax
The federal retail excise tax imposed on the retail sale of heavy trucks and trailers is not subject to California sales
and use tax. This is true whether or not it is separately stated on the sales invoice.
Broker’s fees and commissions
Brokers sometimes participate in the sale of a vehicle and act as an agent of the motor vehicle dealer or the
customer. When the broker is acting as an agent of the retailer, the retailer must include commissions paid to the
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broker as part of the taxable selling price of the vehicle. When the broker is acting as an agent of the customer, the
fee charged by the broker is not subject to tax.
Financing, interest, and insurance charges
Financing, interest, and insurance charges are not subject to tax. When you sell a vehicle on credit, under a security
agreement or otherwise, show the sales price separately from charges for insurance, interest, financing, or for
carrying the contract. If you do not show these charges separately, they may be subject to tax.
Smog certication fees
Fee charge. The fee for the smog certificate required by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is not taxable.
Amounts charged in excess of the smog certificate fee are taxable.
Related charges. Other charges for the smog check, such as inspection charges, are taxable if the smog check is
done for a vehicle you plan to sell. If the smog check is not done in connection with a retail sale, the labor charge in
excess of the certificate fee is not subject to tax.
For additional information on the application of tax to charges for repairs associated with a smog check, please refer
to publication 25, Auto Repair Garages and Service Stations.
If you have questions regarding the application of tax to smog certificate charges, please contact our
Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711). If you have questions regarding smog certificate
requirements, please contact the nearest office of the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) or DCA.
Warranties
Charges for mandatory factory warranties are subject to tax, whether or not the charges are stated separately on
the invoice. Charges for optional warranties (warranties that are not required and are purchased by the customer
for an extra charge) are not subject to tax. Please refer to Regulation 1655, Returns, Defects and Replacements, and
publication 119, Warranties and Maintenance Agreements.
For additional information on the application of tax to parts furnished under a warranty, please see publication 25,
Auto Repair Garages and Service Stations.
Trade-ins, discounts, rebates, and incentives
Trade-ins
If you accept a trade-in on the sale of a vehicle, the allowance for the trade-in cannot be excluded from the amount
on which tax is based. For example, if you sell a car for $20,000 and accept a trade-in valued at $4,000 as partial
payment, tax is based on the $20,000 selling price.
If you allow a value on the trade-in that is higher than its actual value, the over allowance may not be treated as a
discount or otherwise deducted from the amount subject to tax. Similarly, if you allow a value that is less than the
fair market value, we will presume that the allowance agreed upon is the fair market value (unless the facts indicate
that the under allowance is for the purpose of avoiding sales tax).
Dealer-purchased incentives
Dealerships are consumers of free incentives offered for vehicles purchased, such as prepaid gas cards, gas vouchers,
maintenance checks, car washes, or oil and filter changes, that are segregated and not included in the sales price to
your customers. Tax applies to your purchase of supply items necessary to provide these incentives to customers.
Discounts
If you sell a vehicle at a discount, the amount of the discount is not subject to tax. For example, if you sell a $15,000
vehicle and discount the price by 10 percent ($1,500), tax is based on the $13,500 selling price. The records related to
the sale should clearly show the discount amount agreed upon, the amount subject to tax, and the amount of tax.
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If both a discount and a trade-in are involved in a sale, the records must indicate both the discount value and the
amount allowed for the trade-in. Otherwise, we consider the amount of the claimed discount an over allowance,
and the total sales price is subject to tax.
Factory-dealer incentives
Under a factory-dealer incentive, the manufacturer sells the vehicle to the dealer at a discounted price to promote
the sale of the vehicle. The dealer, in turn, is able to sell the car to the customer at a lower price. The amount of the
discount received by the dealer is not subject to tax. Tax is based on the selling price of the vehicle.
Third-party discount or rebate programs
Manufacturers, vendors, or other third parties often offer programs providing discounts on specific products.
Generally, to make up for the price reduction, the third party will compensate you directly. There are also programs
in which you reduce the sales price in exchange for a discount on your purchase price of the product.
The following are examples involving payments by automobile manufacturers to automobile dealers or end-use
customers for the sale or lease of automobiles.
1) An automobile manufacturer provides a customer with a $1,000 rebate on the purchase of a specific
automobile. Rather than receive payment from the manufacturer, the customer assigns the rebate to the
dealer, who in turn applies the rebate amount toward the customer’s payment for the vehicle. The $1,000
payment by the manufacturer is part of the dealer’s gross receipts, since the rebate is provided to the
customer who uses the rebate amount to partially satisfy that customer’s total payment debt to the dealer.
The $1,000 rebate does not constitute a reduction in the retailer’s gross receipts as a retailer’s coupon, cash
discount, purchase discount, or otherwise.
2) An automobile dealer receives a $500 incentive from the automobile manufacturer for every vehicle sold
of a specific model in a given period. The manufacturer does not have an oral or written contract requiring
the dealer to sell the specific model at a reduced price. The selling price is based solely on the dealer’s
discretion. Under these facts, the $500 payment by the manufacturer is not part of the dealer’s gross
receipts since the manufacturer does not require a reduction in the retail selling price of the vehicle. The
$500 incentive instead constitutes a reduction in the dealer’s cost of goods sold.
Cash for Clunkers
The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009 (CARS) established a rebate program that helps owners
purchase or lease a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle when they trade in a less fuel-efficient vehicle. This program
is often referred to as “Cash for Clunkers.” The portion of the gross receipts from the sale or lease of a new vehicle
paid by the federal government, by the use of the CARS rebate, is a nontaxable sale to the U.S. government. (See
publication 102, Sales to the United States Government.)
Regulation 1671.1, Discount, Coupons, Rebates, and Other Incentives, clarifies how tax applies to third-party
discounts, rebates and incentive programs. If you are offering an incentive different from the examples described
above, please contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711) for advice regarding how to apply
tax.
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Vehicle Leases and Rentals
Vehicle leases and rentals are generally subject to tax. For general information on leases, see publication 46, Leasing
Tangible Personal Property.
Mobile transportation equipment (MTE)
The tax rules that apply to MTE leases differ from those that apply to other vehicles. For that reason, first
determine whether a vehicle qualifies as mobile transportation equipment. (See Regulation 1661, Leases of Mobile
Transportation Equipment.)
Examples of MTE
The following are classified as mobile transportation
equipment:
• Trucks.
• Truck tractors.
• Truck trailers.
• Pickup trucks, including smaller pickups. Even though
pickup trucks are often considered to be passenger
vehicles, they are, in fact, MTE and must be treated as such.
• Buses.
• Vehicles designed for carrying more than ten people (including the driver).
• Panel trucks designed primarily for carrying property—these vehicles cannot be registered as passenger
vehicles and are therefore classified as mobile transportation equipment.
• Vans equipped with a front seat only and designed primarily for carrying property.
• Hearses.
• Bogies—a vehicle that consists of an axle, or axles, with wheels and tires with a device mounted on its frame to
support a container (van body) as an undercarriage. It acts as wheels for and in conjunction with the container
(or van body). Bogies are specifically designed to couple under a container temporarily for highway use, being
detachable when not required. Bogies may be designed and constructed to allow a sliding movement under a
container (or van body) to several positions in order to adjust to the desired axle loading.
• Chassis—a frame with one or more axles designed to be used in conjunction with, and as a temporary support
or undercarriage for, a container or other van-type box. The chassis and axle, or axles, may be designed and
constructed to allow a sliding movement for extending the chassis to allow the carriage of various length bodies
or to allow movement of one or more axles to any given position under the container. When operated as a
semitrailer, the front portion of the container and chassis is attached to a motor vehicle or dolly.
• Dollies—a vehicle that consists of a tongue, fifth wheel, and axle equipped with wheels and tires to be
connected to a semitrailer so as to support the front end of the semitrailer, including a portion of the cargo
thereon, but which is not permanently attached to the semitrailer. When coupled to the semitrailer by its
fifth wheel (which is mounted on the frame) and to a trailer by the tongue, the semitrailer becomes in effect
a “full” trailer. A dolly may also be designed and used as the third or rear axle of a two-axle tractor to act as an
additional axle to support a portion of the weight of a towed semitrailer and any load thereon, thus reducing
tractor axle loads. Pole, pipe, and logging dollies consist of a tongue, bolster and axle, or axles, equipped with
wheels and tires. When connected to a motor vehicle by its tongue, or by the cargo, this type of dolly is used to
transport long poles, timbers, logs, pipes, or structural materials with the rear end of the cargo resting on the
dolly bolster and the front end on the motor vehicle.
• Tangible personal property that is or becomes a component of mobile transportation equipment.
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Application of tax to leases of MTE
Regulation 1661, Leases of Mobile Transportation Equipment, provides an option to lessors of MTE.
1) As a lessor, if you purchase mobile transportation equipment for lease, the sale to you is a retail sale
and you are considered the consumer (user) of the equipment unless you elect to pay tax based on the
equipment’s fair rental value (normally the rental amount required by the lease).
2) If you elect to pay tax based on the fair rental value of mobile transportation equipment, you may issue a
resale certificate to the seller when purchasing the equipment.
3) If you elect to pay tax based on the fair rental value, you must make this election on a timely basis.
Regulation 1661 defines a timely basis as your first tax payment must be made on or before the due date of
a return for either the period in which the equipment is first leased or the period in which the equipment
first entered California, whichever is later. If your election is not timely, you must pay tax based on your total
purchase price of the equipment. This election may not be changed with respect to the specific equipment
being leased (irrevocable election).
Tax based on fair rental value
Tax applies, based on the fair rental value, for each reporting period the MTE is leased throughout the term of each
lease—even though the lessee may not make the required rental payments. Likewise, tax must be reported and
paid whether the equipment is in California or outside the state. As long as you (the lessor) continue to own the
equipment, you must pay tax at the same rate that was in effect when you first leased the equipment. This rate
also remains in effect throughout the term of subsequent lease agreements. If you sell the equipment and the new
purchaser elects to pay tax based on the fair rental value, the new purchaser will pay tax at the rate in effect at the
time of their purchase.
Although you are required to report and pay use tax each reporting period in which the MTE is leased, you can be
reimbursed by your customer (the lessee) for the use tax so long as the reimbursement amount:
1) Is stated separately on the lease agreement, and
2) Is not represented as use tax owed by the lessee. You must also provide the lessee with a receipt for each
payment.
(See Miscellaneous charges when tax is based on rental receipts and Required notifications to lessee.)
Tax based on the purchase price
Under this lump-sum payment method, you may either:
• Pay the vendor sales tax or use tax at the time you purchase the equipment (that is, you would not issue a
resale certificate to the vendor when purchasing the equipment). The vendor would then report and pay the
tax to the state on their tax return, or
• Report and pay use tax based on the purchase price of the MTE on your sales and use tax return for the reporting
period in which the equipment is first leased (you purchased the MTE without tax by issuing a resale certificate to
the vendor). In this example, report your cost of the equipment under Purchases Subject to Use Tax.
Summary. Whichever method you choose to pay tax, the choice is irrevocable. That is, if you choose to pay tax based
on the purchase price of the equipment, you cannot change to reporting tax based on the fair rental value. And if
you choose to report tax on the fair rental value, you cannot then pay tax on the purchase price. If you wish to pay
tax on the fair rental value but fail to pay when required, you will lose the opportunity to pay under this method and
must pay tax based on the purchase price. This is true even if you have incorrectly collected tax from the lessee.
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Vehicles other than mobile transportation equipment
Examples of vehicles not considered MTE
Below are definitions of vehicles that do not qualify as mobile transportation equipment. If you rent or lease any
of the following types of vehicles to customers, please see Application of tax to leases of vehicles other than MTE,
below, and Regulation 1660, Leases of Tangible Personal Property—In General, for an explanation of how tax applies.
If you are uncertain whether a vehicle is considered MTE, please contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800 400-
7115 (TTY:711).
• Passenger vehicles as defined in section 465 of the California Vehicle
Code—any motor vehicle other than a motor truck or truck tractor,
designed for carrying not more than ten people (including the driver)
and used or maintained for transportation of people.
• House cars and motorhomes.
• Vehicles that are registered with DMV as multipurpose vehicles.
• Motorcycles.
• A combination pickup and camper leased as a unit and registered with
DMV as a house car. If such vehicles are not registered as house cars,
they are regarded as MTE.
• Minibuses or vans designed primarily for carrying people and limited
in design to carrying not more than ten people (including the driver),
which are registered with DMV as passenger vehicles under the Vehicle
Code. Those not so registered are regarded as MTE.
• Vehicles designed to carry ten or fewer people, including the driver
(these are considered passenger vehicles if so registered, even if the lessee carries more than ten people in
the vehicle or installs extra seats). Vehicles designed to carry more than ten people (including the driver) are
considered MTE.
• Forklift trucks.
• Trailers and baggage containers designed for hauling by passenger vehicles.
• One-way rental trucks—these vehicles are motor trucks of a kind required to be registered under the Vehicle
Code, with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating not exceeding 24,000 pounds. Such trucks are typically
leased to customers by people in the rental business and are leased out for short-term periods of not more than
31 days. They are used for one-way or local hauling of a customer’s personal property.
(See Regulation 1661, Leases of Mobile Transportation Equipment.)
Application of tax to leases of vehicles other than MTE
In general, leases of vehicles other than MTE are subject to tax based on the rental payments. However, you are not
required to pay tax based on rental receipts if:
• The vehicle is leased in substantially the same form as you acquired it; and
• You paid sales tax or use tax to your vendor when you purchased the vehicle; or
• You paid California use tax based on the purchase price of the vehicle and made the payment on a timely basis
(by the due date of the return for the reporting period in which the vehicle was first leased).
If you have already paid California sales tax or use tax, as described above, you must indicate this on the
lessee’s invoice so that the lessee will know the reason they do not owe tax on the rental payments. (See
Required notifications to lessee.)
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If you do not pay sales tax or use tax to your vendor or self-report and pay use tax based on the purchase price, you
must report and pay tax based on rental payments. Although your customer (the lessee) is liable for the use tax due
on the lease or rental payments, you are required to collect the tax and report and pay it to us on a timely basis. You
must provide the lessee with a receipt for each payment. (See Required notifications to lessee.)
Please note:
• If you have paid tax based on the purchase price, you cannot change to paying tax based on rental receipts.
• Even if you wish to pay tax based on the purchase price, if you have not done so by the due date of the return
for the reporting period in which the vehicle is first leased, you must collect and pay tax based on rental
receipts.
• If you elect to collect tax based on rental payments and pay such tax to us, you can purchase vehicles for lease
without paying tax by issuing a resale certificate to the seller.
(See Miscellaneous charges when tax is based on rental receipts, below.)
Collecting sales tax
Retailers are required to report and pay sales taxes on their
retail sales to us; however, you may collect sales tax from your
customer in the amount equal to the tax you will owe on a sale.
For example, if $800 in sales tax is due on the sale of a vehicle,
you may pass that cost on to your customer, provided it is
agreed to as part of the sale. It is presumed that the customer
agrees to pay the addition of tax if:
• A sign is posted on your premises stating that sales tax will
be added to all prices of taxable merchandise, or make a
similar statement on price tags, advertising material, and
other printed material directed to the purchaser.
• A separate amount for sales tax is listed on your receipt or invoices.
• The sales agreement specifically calls for the addition of sales tax.
If the tax amount is included in your prices, rather than itemizing the tax on your invoices or receipts, you must
either post a sign on your premises stating, “Prices include sales tax reimbursement calculated to the nearest mill,”
or add this statement to your receipt or invoice.
Miscellaneous charges when tax is based on rental receipts
The following points are important for leases of vehicles (both for MTE and other vehicles).
Up-front costs or drive-away charges for leased vehicles
Up-front or drive-away charges include capitalized cost reductions, document preparation charges, bank fees,
assumption fees, deferral fees, and excessive wear and use charges such as excessive mileage fees. Generally,
dealers collect these charges from a lessee at the inception of a lease (including the first month’s rental charge).
Driveaway charges that are generally subject to tax include:
• Capitalized cost reductions (additional charges to use and possess the property)
• Document preparation charges
• Bank fees
• Acquisition fees
• Booking fees
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JULY 2024
Nontaxable drive-away charges includes:
• Title and registration fees are specifically excluded from tax
Taxable charges at the close of the lease include:
• Renegotiation fees
• Assumption fees
• Deferral fees
• Excessive wear and use charges (for example, excessive mileage fees)
• Late charges for failing to return the vehicle as stated in the lease contract are subject to tax as it is a charge for
the use of the vehicle
Refundable security deposits are not taxable when received by the dealer at the inception of the lease. However, tax
does apply to a refundable security deposit if it is applied to a taxable amount owed on the lease.
Assigned leases
In virtually all retail motor vehicle lease transactions conducted by new and used motor vehicle dealers, the dealer
is initially the owner of the leased vehicle and appears on the lease contract as the lessor. At the inception of the
lease, the dealer generally collects from the lessee the first month’s lease and various other up-front charges. The
dealer is responsible for collecting, reporting, and paying tax on all taxable costs for which payment was received
from the lessee. Sometime after initiating the lease contract, the dealer may assign the lease contract to someone
else. That person becomes the new lessor and is responsible for collecting and paying tax on all subsequent lease
payments. The original lessor is also required to provide the new lessor with copies of the original purchase contract
for each vehicle and/or copies of prior schedules showing how the use tax has been collected.
Vehicle registration
California Vehicle Code section 4453.5 requires that leased vehicles be registered in the name of the lessor, or of the
lessor and lessee jointly. If the vehicle is registered in the lessee’s name only, we will assume that the transaction is a
retail sale, and you are required to pay tax in a lump sum based on the purchase price.
License fees
License fees paid to DMV and separately stated in a monthly charge to the lessee may be excluded from the
amount that is subject to tax.
Late charges
If a lessee is charged additional amounts as a penalty for overdue rental payments, those charges are not subject to
tax so long as they are reasonable charges for the use of money or additional administrative expense.
Interest charges
If you charge the lessee an interest payment that they must pay periodically along with the rental amount, the
charge is subject to tax.
Deciency charges
Any deficiency amount the lessee is required to pay at the termination of a lease to satisfy the base rental must be
included in rental receipts subject to tax.
Insurance charges
If the lessee is required to purchase the insurance from you, the insurance charge is included as part of the taxable
receipts. If the lessee can buy the insurance from you or any other insurer, then the insurance charge is not subject
to tax (the insurance cost must be stated separately on the lease agreement).
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MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS
Airport customer facility fees
The rentals subject to tax do not include amounts paid to the lessor for customer facility fees collected by a local
agency operating an airport, which requires a rental car company to collect a facility-financing fee from its customers.
Fuel furnished by the lessor (wet rentals)
A wet rental is a lease of a vehicle in which the rental charge includes fuel furnished by the lessor. As the lessor, you
may or may not be able to use a resale certificate to purchase the fuel. Whether a resale certificate can be issued will
depend on whether you are considered the consumer of the fuel or the retailer. That determination will depend on
the type of vehicle you are leasing and how you pay tax with respect to the leased vehicle. However, if you make a
separate charge to the lessee for the fuel, you are considered to be the retailer of the fuel.
Fuel furnished for vehicles not classied as MTE
If you pay tax based on rental receipts (a continuing sale and purchase), we consider you to be a retailer of the fuel
furnished with wet rentals. As a result, you may issue a resale certificate to the seller and purchase the fuel for resale.
A resale certificate can be issued to a vendor registered with us as a fuel supplier or wholesaler. Not all sellers of fuel
qualify as a fuel supplier or wholesaler. For example, service station operators who purchase fuel to resell to the
end consumer typically are not considered fuel suppliers or wholesalers; as such, they should not accept a resale
certificate on the sale of gasoline. As a retailer, you are liable for tax on the amount charged to the lessee for the
fuel. When reporting sales on your sales and use tax return, you must include the fuel charges as part of the total
gross sales for the reporting period (you can be reimbursed by the lessee for the tax).
When you pay tax on the fuel that is a wet rental, you are entitled to claim a deduction for the sales tax paid. When
tax is reported based on total rental receipts, without a de,duction for the gasoline furnished for wet rentals, you
may claim a deduction for tax-paid purchases resold on your sales and use tax return.
When taking a deduction for tax-paid purchases resold, keep in mind the sales tax rate on gasoline is at a lower tax
rate than other taxable sales. The sales tax rate for gasoline is 2.25 percent, plus applicable district tax. When filing
your sales and use tax return electronically with an account that is coded as a seller of fuel, the program is set up to
calculate the tax-paid purchases resold deduction at the rate for gasoline. Don’t forget to subtract the sales tax paid
from your cost of the gasoline purchased before entering your tax-paid purchases resold deduction.
The deduction for tax-paid purchases resold on diesel is at a higher rate than other taxable sales. The sales tax rate
for diesel is 9.25 percent, plus applicable district tax. When filing your sales and use tax return electronically with an
account coded as a seller of fuel, the program is set up to calculate the tax-paid purchases resold deduction at the
rate for diesel. Remember to subtract the sales tax paid from the cost of diesel purchased before entering your tax-
paid purchases resold deduction.
If you paid tax on the vehicle’s purchase price and therefore do not report tax based on rental receipts, you may or
may not be able to issue a resale certificate to purchase fuel for the vehicle, as described below:
• If a separate charge is made for fuel on the invoice, you are considered a retailer of the fuel and you may issue
a resale certificate when making your purchase. As stated above, a resale certificate can be issued to a vendor
registered with us as a fuel supplier or wholesaler. If you are unable to issue a resale certificate, you may be able
to claim a tax-paid purchases resold deduction. You are liable for tax on the amount charged to the lessee for the
fuel. When filing your sales and use tax return, the fuel charges must be included as part of the total taxable gross
receipts for the reporting period (you are allowed to be reimbursed for the tax by your customer).
• If a separate charge is not made on the invoice for fuel, we consider you to be the consumer of the fuel and you
may not issue a resale certificate when purchasing the fuel (that is, the sale of the fuel to you is subject to tax).
For additional information, please call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711).
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JULY 2024
Fuel furnished for vehicles classied as MTE
Regardless of whether tax has been paid based on the purchase price of the MTE or reported based on the fair rental
value, you may or may not be able to issue a resale certificate when purchasing fuel for MTE, as described below:
• If a separate charge is made for fuel on the invoice, you are considered a retailer of the fuel and may issue a resale
certificate when making the purchase. As stated above, a resale certificate can be issued to a vendor registered
with us as a fuel supplier or wholesaler. If you are unable to issue a resale certificate, you may be able to claim a
tax-paid purchases resold deduction. You are, however, liable for tax on the amount charged to the lessee for the
fuel. When filing your sales and use tax return, the fuel charges must be included as part of the total taxable gross
receipts for the reporting period (you can be reimbursed by the lessee for the tax).
• If a separate charge is not made on the invoice for fuel, you are considered the consumer and cannot issue
a resale certificate when purchasing the fuel (meaning the sale of fuel to you is subject to tax). If you pay tax
based on the fair rental value and include fuel as part of the rental charge, tax does not apply to that portion of
the lease attributable to the fuel.
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MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS
General application of tax on fuel with leased vehicles
Vehicle Lease
Tax on Rentals or
Purchase Price
How Fuel Charged
on Rental Invoice
Lessor as Retailer or
Consumer
Fuel Purchases Lessor’s Tax Liability
Vehicles —Non-MTE
Tax paid based
on rental receipts
(continuing sale and
purchase).
Fuel is either
separately stated
or not separately
stated on rental
invoice.
Lessor is retailer of
fuel.
(You should report fuel
sales on your sales and
use tax return.)
Fuel purchased for resale
from registered fuel supplier
or wholesaler.
Prepaid sales tax will apply to
this purchase.
Sales or use tax due on total
rental receipts, including fuel
charges.
Schedule G will be necessary
to claim the credit for the
prepaid sales tax paid.
Fuel purchased tax-paid.
This is typically the case when
fuel is purchased from a gas
station rather than a fuel
supplier or wholesaler.
Sales or use tax due on total
rental receipts, including
fuel charges, and may claim
deduction for tax-paid
purchases (of fuel) resold
at sales tax rate for fuel
(gasoline or diesel).
Vehicles—Non-MTE
Tax paid on purchase
price, not on rental
receipts (not a
continuing sale and
purchase).
No separate charge
for fuel on rental
invoice.
Lessor is consumer
of fuel.
Fuel may not be purchased
for resale.
No further tax liability for
tax-paid fuel purchases.
Separate charge
for fuel on rental
invoice.
Lessor is retailer of
fuel.
(You should report fuel
sales on your sales and
use tax return.)
Fuel purchased for resale
from registered fuel supplier
or wholesaler.
Prepaid sales tax will apply to
this purchase.
Sales or use tax due on fuel
charges to lessee.
Schedule G will be needed to
credit the prepaid sales tax
paid.
Fuel purchased tax-paid.
This is typically the case when
fuel is purchased from a gas
station rather than a fuel
supplier or wholesaler.
Sales or use tax due on fuel
charges to lessee and may
claim deduction for tax-paid
purchases (of fuel) resold
at sales tax rate for fuel
(gasoline or diesel).
Vehicles—MTE
(Purchased for use in
California.)
Tax paid based on
purchase price or tax
reported on fair rental
value.
No separate charge
for fuel on rental
invoice.
Lessor is consumer
of fuel.
Fuel may not be purchased
for resale.
No further liability for
tax-paid fuel purchases.
Vehicles—MTE
Tax paid based on
purchase price or tax
reported on fair rental
value.
Separate charge
for fuel on rental
invoice.
Lessor is retailer of
fuel.
(You should report fuel
sales on your sales and
use tax return.)
Fuel purchased for resale
from a registered fuel
supplier or wholesaler.
Prepaid sales tax will apply to
this purchase.
Sales or use tax is due
on separately stated fuel
charges on rentals. You may
charge the lessee for tax
reimbursement.
Fuel purchased tax-paid.
This is typically the case when
fuel is purchased from a gas
station rather than a fuel
supplier or wholesaler.
Sales or use tax is due
on separately stated fuel
charges on rentals and you
may claim a deduction for
tax-paid purchases (of fuel)
resold at sales tax rate for
fuel (gasoline or diesel).
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JULY 2024
Required notications to lessee
If you report tax payments made by the lessee
If you (as the lessor) elect to report and pay tax based on rental receipts and collect tax from the lessee, you must
provide the lessee with a receipt for the amount of tax collected. The receipt does not need to be formatted in a
particular way, but it must contain the following information:
• The name and address of your business
• Your seller’s permit number (or, if applicable, the number of your Certificate of Registration—Use Tax)
• The lessee’s name and address
• A description of the property leased to the lessee
• The date on which the property was leased
• The amount of the rental for the period covered by the invoice
• The amount of tax collected from the lessee
If tax does not apply to the lease
If you lease a vehicle for which the rentals are not subject to tax, you must indicate on the invoice that tax does not
apply. You must also indicate why the tax does not apply. The most common reasons for tax not applying (taken
from Regulation 1686, Receipts for Tax Paid to Retailers) are:
• The vehicle is being leased in substantially the same form as it was acquired by the lessor and tax has been paid
based on the purchase price of the vehicle.
• The property was acquired by the lessor in an exempt “occasional sale” and the lessor has paid, or elects to pay
and will pay, with their return for the period in which the property is first leased, use tax based on the purchase
price of the property instead of collecting tax on rental payments.
The lease may not be taxable for other reasons (for example, the transaction may be excluded from the definition
of sale or purchase). If you believe the lease may not be taxable for a reason other than the two listed above, please
contact our Customer Service Center for advice.
One-way rental trucks
At the time you lease a one-way rental truck to a customer, you as the lessor must inform the customer that the
vehicle is designated as a one-way rental truck. You must also let the customer know of any taxes that are payable
which are measured by the lease or rental payments.
Once a truck has been identified to us as a one-way rental truck (meaning you have reported taxes to us for the
truck based on rental receipts), the election may not be revoked with respect to that truck. If you do not report tax
based on rental receipts on a timely basis (as defined under Application of tax to leases of MTE), the vehicle will be
treated as mobile transportation equipment for tax purposes.
Local tax allocation
A portion of the sales and use tax rate represents local tax that is allocated to cities and counties. With motor vehicle
leases, the allocation of local tax depends on the length of the lease, the type of vehicle, and the type of lessor.
“Motor vehicle” means a passenger vehicle (designed to carry no more than ten people, including the driver) such
as an automobile, minivan, or sport-utility vehicle. The term also includes light-duty pickup trucks (payload capacity
under one ton). (See Leases of MTE for leases of vehicles classified as MTE.)
The allocation of local tax from different vehicle lease transactions is summarized in the table Local tax allocation for motor
vehicle leases. Before 1996, the local use tax on vehicle leases was allocated differently than illustrated in the table below.
Local use tax was also allocated differently on leases of used vehicles prior to January 1999. If you have questions about a
vehicle lease prior to 1996, or a used vehicle lease made before 1999, please contact our Customer Service Center.
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MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS
Long-term leases of new motor vehicles
A long-term lease is defined in Regulation 1803.5, Long-Term
Leases of Motor Vehicles, as a lease that exceeds four months.
For long-term leases, the place of use for reporting the local
use tax is:
• The lessor’s place of business, if the lessor is a California
new motor vehicle dealer or leasing company.
• The new motor vehicle dealer or leasing company’s place
of business, if the company sells a vehicle to an out-of-state
lessor who is not a new motor vehicle dealer or leasing
company.
In the case of an out-of-state lessor who purchases a vehicle from an out-of-state source and arranges for a courtesy
delivery by a California dealer, the local tax will be allocated:
• To the dealer’s place of business, if the vehicle is taken from the in-state dealer’s resale inventory.
• To the lessee’s local tax jurisdiction via the countywide pool, if the in-state dealer does not hold title to the
vehicle but merely serves to prepare the vehicle for delivery and to process documentation.
Lessors required to allocate the local use tax to the location of the dealer, or leasing company, will report using
CDTFA-531-F, Schedule F – Detailed Allocation by City of Taxable Transactions for lessors of Motor Vehicles.
Lessors who are not California new motor vehicle dealers who do not purchase motor vehicles from California new
motor vehicle dealers will use CDTFA-531, Schedule B – Detailed Allocation by County of Sales and Use Tax, to allocate
the local use tax due on long-term leases to the lessee’s local tax jurisdiction through the countywide pool. Online
filing is offered to provide a more convenient method of filing your return. For more information on online services,
please visit our website.
Short-term leases of motor vehicles
A short-term lease is defined as a lease of four months or less. For short-term leases, the local use tax will be
allocated to the business location of the lessor, unless the lessor is located outside California. If the lessor is outside
California, the local tax will be allocated to the lessee’s place of registration.
Leases of MTE
Except for leases of pickup trucks rated under a one-ton payload capacity, the local use tax will be allocated to the
lessor’s business location, unless the lessor is located outside California. If the lessor is outside California, the local
tax will be allocated to the lessee’s place of registration.
Denitions used in allocating local tax
The place of use for the local use tax will remain the same for the duration of the lease, even if the lessor sells the
vehicle and assigns the lease contract to a third party. Accordingly, if you are a lessor who assigns lease contracts to
another lessor, you are required to provide that lessor with copies of the original purchase contract for each vehicle
and/or copies of prior schedules showing how the use tax has been allocated.
A “leasing company” is a motor vehicle dealer (as defined in Vehicle Code section 285) that meets all of the
following criteria:
• Originates long-term lease contracts and elects to pay tax based on lease receipts,
• Does not sell or assign the long-term contracts, and
• Annual motor vehicle lease receipts are equal to or greater than $15,000,000 or more per location. Where the
lessor operates from multiple locations, the lessor qualifies as a leasing company on a location-by-location
basis. Annual lease receipts, which do not include capitalized cost reduction payments or amounts paid by a
lessee to exercise an option, are calculated based on the previous calendar year.
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JULY 2024
When a lessor is a California new motor vehicle dealer or a leasing company, the place of use for reporting the local
use tax is the city in which the lessor’s place of business is located.
When the lessor is not a California new motor vehicle dealer or a leasing company, there are two possible
allocations of the local use tax for leases exceeding four months.
1) When the lessor purchases the vehicle from a California new motor vehicle dealer or a leasing company,
the place of use for reporting the local use tax is the city in which the dealer from whom the lessor
purchased the vehicle is located.
2) When the lessor purchases the vehicle from another source, the local use tax shall be reported and
distributed through the countywide pool of the county of the lessee’s place of registration.
Local tax allocation for motor vehicle leases
Type of lessor Type of transaction
For leases exceeding four
months, allocate one percent
local tax to
For leases four
months or less, allocate one
percent local tax to
California new motor vehicle
dealer/lessor
Lease of motor vehicle*
Dealer/lessor’s place of business
where the lease is negotiated
Dealer/lessor’s place of
business where the lease is
negotiated
California leasing company
(as defined)**
Lease of motor vehicle*
Lessor’s place of business where
the lease is negotiated
Lessor’s place of business
Other California lessor
Lease of a motor vehicle*
purchased from a California
new motor vehicle dealer
California dealer/lessor’s place of
business from which the lessor
purchased the vehicle
(Schedule F)
Lessor’s place of business
Lease of a motor vehicle*
purchased from someone
other than a California new
motor vehicle dealer
Lessee’s place of registration
(Schedule B)
Lessor’s place of business
Lease of MTE purchased from
a California new motor vehicle
dealer (except new pickup
trucks rated less than one ton)
Lessor’s place of business Lessor’s place of business
Out-of-state lessor
Lease of a motor vehicle*
purchased from a California
new motor vehicle dealer
California Dealer’s place of
business from which the lessor
purchased the vehicle
(Schedule F)
Lessee’s place of registration
(Schedule B)
Lease of a motor vehicle* or
MTE purchased from
someone other than a
California vehicle dealer
Lessee’s place of registration
(Schedule B)
Lessee’s place of registration
(Schedule B)
* “ Motor vehicle” means any new or used passenger vehicle designed to carry no more than ten people, including the driver. The term also includes light-duty
pickup trucks with a payload capacity under one ton.
**A “leasing company” is a motor vehicle dealer (as defined in Vehicle Code section 285) that meets all of the following criteria:
• Originates long-term lease contracts and elects to remit tax based on lease receipts,
• Does not sell or assign the long-term contracts, and
• Annual motor vehicle lease receipts are equal to or greater than $15,000,000 or more per location. Where the lessor operates from multiple locations, the
lessor qualifies as a leasing company on a location-by-location basis. Annual lease receipts, which do not include capitalized cost reduction payments or
amounts paid by a lessee to exercise an option, are calculated based on the previous calendar year.
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MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS
Vehicles Used for Purposes Other Than Resale or Lease
Introduction
If you know at the time of purchase that a vehicle will not be held for resale or lease in the regular course of
business (for example, a service department vehicle), do not issue a resale certificate when purchasing the
vehicle; tax applies to the sale of the vehicle to you. Likewise, do not issue a resale certificate when purchasing
mobile transportation equipment for lease unless you will be reporting tax based on the fair rental value. (See
Tax based on fair rental value.)
If you purchase a vehicle for resale or lease without paying tax and use it for a purpose other than demonstration or
display (for example, the vehicle is loaned to a customer or used to pick up parts for the service department), you
are generally liable for use tax for such use. As explained in the examples later in this section, your use tax liability is
based either on the vehicle’s cost or its fair rental value.
If you have a question regarding any of the examples used in this publication, or if you have a question regarding a
use that is not described here, please call our Customer Service Center for assistance.
Important—please note:
• If you purchase a vehicle for resale or lease and use it exclusively for demonstration or display purposes while
holding it for resale or lease, you are not liable for tax for such use.
• If you paid tax on a vehicle (that is, paid sales tax or use tax to your vendor when purchasing the vehicle or
reported use tax to us based on the vehicle’s cost), you have no further tax liability for its use until it is sold.
Company and service vehicles
Company and service vehicles include service cars, parts and service department vehicles, and tow trucks, among
others. Such vehicles are not considered held for resale or lease in the regular course of business. If you know at
the time you purchase the vehicle that it will be used as a company or service vehicle, a resale certificate cannot be
issued when making the purchase. Tax applies to the sale of the vehicle to you.
If a vehicle is removed from your resale or lease inventory and used exclusively as a company or service vehicle, use
tax is due to the state based on your cost of the vehicle. Report the purchase price on your sales and use tax return
for the reporting period in which you began to use the vehicle as a company or service vehicle (under Purchases
Subject to Use Tax).
If you occasionally remove a vehicle from resale or lease inventory for temporary use as a company or service
vehicle, you are liable for use tax based on the vehicle’s fair rental value for the period of such use (the fair rental
value is the amount normally charged for the rental of similar vehicles under similar circumstances).
Vehicles loaned to customers (loaner vehicles)
As a motor vehicle dealer (dealer), you may choose to provide courtesy vehicle loans (loaner vehicles) to customers
in various situations. How tax applies depends on how you obtain the vehicle and under what circumstances you
loan the vehicle to your customer.
When you buy a vehicle to be used exclusively as a loaner vehicle for your customers while you service or repair
their vehicles, it is considered a company vehicle and you cannot issue a resale certificate when purchasing the
loaner vehicle. Tax applies to the sale of the vehicle to you, or, if you purchased the vehicle without paying tax, you
owe use tax based on your purchase price of the vehicle. If you later resell the vehicle, you are responsible for the
tax, based on the selling price of the vehicle, since the sale is a separate sales transaction.
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JULY 2024
However, there may be instances in which you buy or lease a vehicle to loan to customers, and the vehicle is not
used exclusively as a loaner vehicle. Typically, you would obtain the vehicle without tax from one of the following:
1. Resale or lease inventory, or
2. Leased from a third-party lessor (that is, car rental agency), or
3. Purchased or leased under a special accommodation program (explained below).
Special accommodation programs
Many vehicle manufacturers offer incentives to dealers to participate in “special accommodation programs.” Under
these programs, you may be required to maintain an inventory of a certain number of vehicles as courtesy loans
to customers who wait for their leased and/or owned vehicles to be repaired or serviced. Generally, courtesy loan
vehicles are purchased under a resale certificate. Distributors sell vehicles under special accommodation programs
with the understanding that the dealer will use the vehicle exclusively as a courtesy loan for a certain period of
time. After that period, the vehicle may be sold and tax reimbursement is collected from the customer.
In many cases, the transaction between you and the distributor involves a finance company (generally related to
the distributor) in which the vehicles purchased are immediately sold back to the finance company which leases
the vehicles back to you. In most cases, the lease from the finance company to you is actually a sale at inception
(an agreement to purchase the leased vehicle at fair market value at the end of the lease term). Under these
circumstances, tax is not due on the sale when you purchase the vehicle under a resale certificate under the special
accommodation program.
However, in some instances, the lease between you and the financing company may be a true lease in which the
financing company collects tax reimbursement from you measured by the lease payments.
How tax applies
The following explains how tax applies to three different types of courtesy loans when the vehicles are not from
your tax-paid loaner vehicle inventory.
1. Customer is provided a loaner vehicle as a favor
When you loan a vehicle to your customer solely as a courtesy or favor (for example, your customer’s vehicle is
being repaired or serviced under an optional warranty or your customer is awaiting delivery of their new vehicle),
you are making a use of the vehicle. In general, you owe tax as follows:
Loaner vehicle is from resale or lease inventory
You owe tax based on the fair rental value for the duration of the loan. The fair rental value is the amount that you
charge to rent similar vehicles for similar periods to individuals other than your customers awaiting delivery of their
new vehicle.
Loaner vehicle is from third-party lessor (a car rental agency)
You may not issue a resale certificate to the lessor. If the third-party lessor charges you tax on the lease payments,
you may not claim a tax-paid purchase resold credit on your sales and use tax return and you may not file a claim for
refund for the tax paid on the lease.
Loaner vehicle is purchased without tax under a special accommodation program
You owe tax based on the fair rental value for the duration of the loan.
Loaner vehicle is leased from nance company under a special accommodation program and dealer pays tax
to nance company measured by lease payments
No additional tax is due. You may not claim a tax-paid purchase resold credit on your sales and use tax return and
you may not file a claim for refund for the tax paid on the lease.
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MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS
2. Customer’s vehicle is being repaired or serviced under a mandatory or
standard manufacturer’s warranty
When you loan a vehicle to a customer whose vehicle is being repaired or
serviced under a mandatory or standard manufacturer’s warranty, generally,
no additional tax is due. The loan is considered part of the original vehicle sales
contract that includes the mandatory or standard manufacturer’s warranty.
Loaner vehicle is from resale or lease inventory
No additional tax is due.
Loaner vehicle leased from a third-party lessor (a car rental agency)
No additional tax is due. You may issue the third-party lessor a timely resale
certificate (that is, within the normal billing cycle, or any time prior to delivery of the property).
If you do not issue a timely resale certificate to the third-party lessor and pay tax to the lessor measured by the lease
payments, you may claim a tax-paid purchase resold credit on your sales and use tax return or file a claim for refund
for the tax paid to the third-party lessor on those lease payments for the periods of nontaxable use.
Loaner vehicle is purchased without tax under a special accommodation program
No additional tax is due.
Loaner vehicle is leased from nance company under a special accommodation program and dealer pays tax
to nance company measured by lease payments
No additional tax is due. You may claim a tax-paid purchase resold credit on your sales and use tax return or file
a claim for refund for the tax paid to the finance company on those lease payments that are for the periods of
nontaxable use.
3. Customer’s leased vehicle is being repaired or serviced or customer is awaiting delivery of their
newly-leased vehicle
When you loan a vehicle to a customer whose leased vehicle is being repaired or serviced or to a customer awaiting
delivery of their newly leased vehicle, generally, no additional tax is due if the customer’s regular lease payments
continue to accrue. The loan is considered part of the original vehicle lease contract to your customer.
Loaner vehicle is from resale or lease inventory
If the customer’s regular lease payments continue to accrue on the lease of their vehicle, no additional tax is due.
Loaner vehicle leased from a third-party lessor (a car rental agency)
If the customer’s regular lease payments continue to accrue on the lease of their vehicle, no additional tax is due.
You may issue the lessor a timely resale certificate (that is, within the normal billing cycle, or any time prior to
delivery of the property).
If you do not issue a timely resale certificate to the third-party lessor and pay tax to the lessor measured by the lease
payments, you may claim a tax-paid purchase resold credit on your sales and use tax return or file a claim for refund
for the tax paid to the third-party lessor on those lease payments for the periods of nontaxable use.
Loaner vehicle is purchased without tax under a special accommodation program
If the customer’s regular lease payments continue to accrue on the lease of their vehicle, no additional tax is due.
Loaner vehicle is leased from nance company under a special accommodation program and dealer pays tax
to nance company measured by lease payments
If the customer’s regular lease payments continue to accrue on the lease of their vehicle, no additional tax is due.
You may claim a tax-paid purchase resold credit on your sales and use tax return or file a claim for refund for the tax
paid to the finance company on those lease payments for the periods of nontaxable use.
For additional information, see Regulation 1669.5, Demonstration, Display, and Use of Property Held for Resale—Vehicles.
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Vehicles loaned to schools, colleges, or veterans’ institutions for educational or training
programs
Loaned to a California public school district for educational purposes
As a retailer, you are not liable for use tax for the loan of any goods or products, including vehicles, loaned to any
school district for an educational program conducted by a public school district in California. Although private and
parochial schools do not qualify as public school districts, the loan of a vehicle to such schools for driver education
purposes may be exempt from tax. (See below.)
Loaned to schools, colleges, or veterans’ institutions for driver education purposes
You are not generally required to report and pay use tax for loans of vehicles for driver training purposes. This
exemption applies to the following loans:
• Vehicles loaned to the California State colleges or the University of California to be used exclusively in an
approved driver education teacher certification program conducted by the state college or university.
• Vehicles loaned for exclusive use for driver training in an accredited private or parochial secondary school as part
of a driver training program approved by the State Department of Education as a regularly conducted course.
• Vehicles loaned to a veterans’ hospital (or other nonprofit facility or institution operated for veterans) to
provide instruction to veterans with disabilities regarding the operation of specially equipped motor vehicles.
Other loans
If you remove a vehicle from resale or lease inventory and lend it to someone to use for purposes other than
demonstration or display, you are generally required to report and pay tax on such use as described below:
• If the vehicle is used frequently for demonstration or display and is loaned only incidentally (for a period of 30
days or less), you must report and pay tax based on the fair rental value of the vehicle for the period of such use
(loan). The vehicle must have been used for demonstration or display purposes immediately preceding and
following the loan.
• If the vehicle is not frequently demonstrated or displayed and you lend it out, it is not presumed to be held for
resale or lease, and you must report and pay use tax based on your purchase price for the vehicle.
Please note: For information on assigned vehicles, please see the upcoming sections which immediately follow:
• Vehicles used by salespersons for demonstration
• Vehicles assigned to employees other than salespersons
• Vehicles assigned to people who are not employees of the dealership
Vehicles used by salespersons for demonstration or display
The term salesperson refers only to vehicle salespersons, vehicle sales managers, sole proprietors, partners,
and corporate officers who directly participate in negotiating sales. The following discussion assumes that you
purchased the vehicle without paying tax (for example, purchasing the vehicle for resale by issuing a California
resale certificate).
Vehicle assigned to a salesperson (not rented or sold to the salesperson)
If you remove a vehicle from resale or lease inventory and assign it to a salesperson to use for demonstration for
12 months or less, you must report and pay tax based on the fair rental value, calculated at 1/60th of the purchase
price, for each month of combined demonstration or display and use.
Example: You paid $15,000 for a vehicle purchased for resale or lease and assign it to a salesperson for
use for demonstration for less than 12 months. You must report and pay tax based on the 1/60th formula
($15,000 ÷ 60 = $250 for each month of use).
If the vehicle will be used for demonstration for more than 12 months, report and pay use tax based on your cost for
the vehicle.
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If at the time the vehicle is assigned to a salesperson you do not know how long the vehicle will be used by the
salesperson for demonstration, you can initially report and pay tax at the 1/60th formula. After 12 months, you must
report and pay tax based on the purchase price minus the total tax calculated for the year previously reported and
paid under the 1/60th formula.
Example: You paid $15,000 for a vehicle purchased for resale. The vehicle is assigned to a salesperson and used for
demonstration, but at the time it is not known how long the vehicle will be assigned for such use. The salesperson
retains use of the vehicle for demonstration for more than 12 months.
Report and pay use tax based on the 1/60th formula for the first 12 months ($15,000 ÷ 60 = $250 for each month
of use). After 12 months, report and pay use tax based on $15,000 minus the total tax previously reported and paid
($250 x 12, or $3,000). As a result, report and pay use tax based on $12,000.
Vehicle rented to the salesperson
If you rent a vehicle to a salesperson for demonstration and if the vehicle is not a truck or other type of mobile
transportation equipment, you must collect and report tax on the rental receipts.
If the rental receipts are less than 1/60th of your purchase price for the vehicle for each month of rental, you must
report and pay tax under the 1/60th formula. (See first example above.)
If you rent mobile transportation equipment to a salesperson for demonstration, please refer to
Vehicle Leases and Rentals for information on how to apply tax to the rental receipts.
Vehicle sold to the salesperson
When a vehicle is sold to a salesperson for demonstration, report and pay sales tax based on the amount paid by
the salesperson for the vehicle.
Vehicles assigned to employees other than salespersons
If you purchase a vehicle for resale or lease and assign it to an employee or officer of the dealership other than a
salesperson (see definition of salesperson under Vehicles used by salespersons for demonstration or display above),
you are generally liable for tax as described below. It is presumed, unless the dealership can clearly establish
otherwise, that vehicles assigned to people who are not salespersons are used less for demonstration or display and
more for other business purposes or for personal use.
Vehicle assigned for 12 months or less
When a vehicle is assigned to an employee or officer of the dealership for a period of 12 months or less, report and
pay use tax based on the fair rental value. Tax applies to the periods of time when the vehicle is used for purposes
other than demonstration or display.
The fair rental value, as it applies to vehicles assigned to employees and officers, is 1/40th of the purchase price of
the vehicle for each month of combined demonstration or display and use.
Vehicle assigned for more than 12 months
If you assign a vehicle to an employee or a series of employees for more than 12 months, it is presumed that the
vehicle is not being held for resale or lease in the regular course of business. As a result, use tax must be reported
and paid based on your cost for the vehicle.
Vehicle assigned for an unknown period of time
Generally, when a dealer or lessor assigns a vehicle to one or more people for more than 12 months for business
or personal use in addition to demonstration and display, the vehicle is not held for sale in the regular course of
business. In this case, tax is based on the purchase price of the vehicle. However, as provided in Regulation 1669.5,
Demonstration, Display, and Use of Property Held For Resale—Vehicles, subdivision (b)(4), the 1/40th or 1/60th
formula, as appropriate, may be used to calculate the use tax liability if at the time you assign a vehicle, you do not
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know how long it will be used. After 12 months, you must report and pay tax based on the purchase price minus
the total tax previously reported under the 1/40th or 1/60th formula.
Example: You paid $15,000 for a vehicle purchased for resale. You assign the vehicle to an employee (other
than a salesperson) to use for demonstration, but at the time do not know how long the vehicle will be
assigned for such use. The employee retains use of the vehicle for demonstration for more than 12 months.
Report and pay use tax based on the 1/40th formula for the first 12 months ($15,000 ÷ 40 = $375 for each month
of use). After 12 months, report and pay use tax based on $15,000 minus the total tax previously paid for the year
($375 x 12, or $4,500). As a result, report and pay use tax based on $10,500.
Vehicles assigned to people who are not employees of the dealership
Assigned to a relative or business associate
If you assign a vehicle to a person other than an employee or officer of the dealership, such as a relative or business
associate, tax is due based on the cost of the vehicle (your purchase price for the vehicle). The vehicle is not
presumed to be held for resale or lease.
However, if such loans are for very short periods of time, interspersed with frequent demonstration or display while
holding the vehicle for sale in the regular course of business, the tax liability may be based on the fair rental value.
Assigned to a person other than a customer waiting for delivery of a vehicle or return of a repaired vehicle
When the loan of a vehicle is not interspersed with frequent demonstration or display, but is loaned for a period of
30 days or less to a person other than a customer waiting for delivery of a vehicle or return of a repaired vehicle, tax
is due on the fair rental value, provided the loaned vehicle was frequently demonstrated or displayed before and
after its loan. A loan for a period of 30 days or less will be considered incidental use. If the loan period exceeds 30
days, or the vehicle is not frequently demonstrated and displayed during the loan period, tax is due on the purchase
price of the loaned vehicle.
Assigned to a lessee who is waiting for delivery or return of a leased vehicle
When a lessor loans a vehicle to a lessee who is waiting for delivery or return of a leased vehicle, and the regular
lease payments continue to accrue during the period of the loan, the regular lease payments will be considered to
cover the use of the loaned vehicle.
Donated vehicles
Use tax does not apply if you remove a vehicle from your resale inventory and donate it to a qualified organization
located in California. To qualify, the organization must be an institution described in section 170(b)(1)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Qualified organizations include, but are not limited to, certain religious and charitable organizations, as well as
certain organizations operated for educational purposes. If you have questions regarding whether an organization
is qualified, please contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711).
Unassigned demonstration vehicles registered in the name of the dealership
As a dealer or lessor, if you issue a California resale certificate when purchasing a vehicle and register it in your name
with DMV, we presume that the vehicle is not being held for resale or lease. As a result, use tax is due based on your
purchase price for the vehicle.
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Vehicles capitalized as assets
Except for vehicles held for leasing, vehicles that are capitalized in an asset account and depreciated for income tax
purposes are not considered held for sale in the regular course of business. You must report and pay tax based on
the cost of the vehicle.
New vehicles not ordinarily sold by a dealership
The Vehicle Code prohibits a dealer-broker from purchasing a new motor vehicle for resale in a line or make for
which the dealer does not hold a like franchise. New car dealers are advised not to accept a resale certificate for
this type of transaction. Violation of Vehicle Code section 11713.1 is sufficient to overcome the presumption of the
vendor’s good faith acceptance of a resale certificate, whether or not the resale certificate contains a statement
that the specific vehicle is being purchased for resale in the regular course of business. You must report and pay tax
based on the cost of the vehicle.
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Special Taxing Jurisdictions
This section is designed to explain how to determine the correct tax rate for your taxable sales or leases. The total
sales and use tax rate is a combination of several rates and may or may not include a rate for special tax districts.
Special tax districts have been approved by voters in various parts of the state to fund mass transit projects and
other public services. Whether or not you are liable for a special district tax rate will depend on where the vehicle
is registered. For a listing of the special districts in effect throughout the state and the applicable tax rates, see
California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates on our website.
Please note: To allow for the correct application of district taxes, many cities with voter approved district taxes have
provided a list of addresses located inside their incorporated city limits. Our website provides a link to the address
list at California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates - City Addresses.
Special district taxes—in general
As a motor vehicle retailer, you must generally report and pay sales or use tax at the standard statewide rate of
7.25 percent (this is the current rate as of the date of this publication but is subject to change). In addition, you may
be required to report and pay tax for a special tax district.
Many of California’s cities, counties, towns, and communities have special taxing jurisdictions (districts), which
impose a transactions (sales) and use tax. These districts increase the tax rate in a particular area by adding the
district tax to the combined statewide rate of 7.25 percent, the present rate in effect. The city special district tax rate
applies only to addresses within the incorporated city limits. Generally, residents and businesses in unincorporated
areas of those cities are not subject to the additional city district tax rate. However, there may also be countywide
districts. More than one district tax may be in effect in a given location. As a seller or a consumer, you may be
required to report and pay district taxes for your taxable sales and purchases. For more information on district taxes
and how they are applied, see:
• Publication 44, District Taxes (Sales and Use Taxes)
• Publication 105, District Taxes and Sales Delivered in California
How to apply the special district tax rate
If you sell or lease a vehicle to a customer who registers the vehicle in a special tax district, you are considered
“engaged in business” in the district. As a result, you must report and pay the applicable special district tax.
Examples:
• You are located in a county where there is a 0.50 percent special district tax. You sell or lease a vehicle to a
customer who will register the vehicle in the same county. You report and pay the standard statewide rate
of 7.25 percent plus 0.50 percent for the special tax district in effect in the county, for a total rate of 7.75
percent.
• You are located in a special tax district and sell a vehicle that will be registered in a county where there are
no special tax districts. You report and pay only the statewide rate of 7.25 percent.
• You are located in a county where there are no special tax districts and sell a vehicle that will be registered
in a county with a combined special district tax rate of 1.50 percent. You will report and pay tax at the total
rate of 8.75 percent (the standard statewide rate of 7.25 percent plus 1.50 percent for the three districts).
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Required documentation for sales not subject to district tax
In California, if you register a vehicle at DMV to an address that falls within a special tax district, the district tax
applies to the purchase or sale of that vehicle. As stated above, residents and businesses in unincorporated areas
of cities with special district taxes are not subject to the additional city district tax rate. A DMV vehicle registration
form, DMV Statement of Facts (REG 256), CDTFA-111, Certificate of Vehicle, Mobilehome or Commercial Coach Use
Tax Clearance (issued by CDTFA*), or a letter on city letterhead may be accepted for city use tax exemptions for
customers residing in unincorporated areas of a city subject to special sales and use district taxes.
Regulation 1823.5, Place of Delivery of Certain Vehicles, Aircraft, and Undocumented Vessels, defines the type of
vehicles, including certain commercial vehicles, which under certain circumstances qualify for a district sales tax
exemption. This exemption does not apply to the district use tax. The regulation and this publication include
declarations for the purpose of allowing the seller to treat the sale as exempt from the district transactions (sales)
tax. The declarations are made under penalty of perjury. If the purchaser issues a declaration to the seller and the
property is principally stored, used, or otherwise consumed in that district, the purchaser will be liable for and must
pay the district use tax. Even though the sale of the vehicle may be exempt from the district sales tax under this
regulation, the statewide rate of 7.25 percent will still apply to the sale and the retailer may still be responsible for
collecting the district use tax.
Any seller claiming an exemption from the district tax under Regulation 1823.5 must retain a declaration signed
under penalty of perjury in the form prescribed in the regulation. The declaration must be signed by the buyer and
accepted by the seller in good faith and must include a written statement that the vehicle was purchased for use at
a designated point(s) outside the district. The seller also must retain a copy of either the DMV report of sale or other
documentary evidence showing the out-of-district address to which the vehicle is registered.
Regulation 1823.5 includes sample declarations: CDTFA-230-O-1, Form of Declaration Place of Delivery of Certain
Vehicles, Aircraft, and Undocumented Vehicles, and CDTFA-230-P-1, Form of Declaration Place of Delivery of Commercial
Vehicles.
* You may apply for a use tax clearance using our online services at onlineservices.cdtfa.ca.gov by selecting Request
Use Tax Clearance for Registration with DMV/HCD (CDTFA-111) under Limited Access Functions, or by submitting a
completed CDTFA-106, Vehicle/Vessel Use Tax Clearance Request, to your local CDTFA office. For more information,
see section Vehicles purchased for use in this state.
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General Information
Bad debts
Deductions for amounts found to be worthless or for losses resulting from repossessions may be taken if they are in
compliance with the requirements of Regulation 1641, Credit Sales and Repossessions, or Regulation 1642, Bad Debts,
whichever is applicable.
A bad debt deduction may be taken on your sales and use tax return under certain circumstances. You may take
the deduction for bad debts that are charged off for income tax purposes (or, if you are not required to file income
tax returns, charged off in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles). The claimed deduction
amount cannot be more than the amount charged off. A bad debt deduction cannot be claimed unless the sale was
reported and tax paid on the amount claimed on a prior sales and use tax return.
For example, if you repossess a vehicle, a deduction can be claimed on your sales and use tax return for the net
taxable loss, provided the amount has been charged off for income tax purposes. The net taxable loss is the loss
after adjustments have been made for the wholesale value of the repossessed vehicle and for other credits, such
as refunded insurance payments and unearned finance charges, and for charges included in the sale that were not
subject to tax.
The formula for calculating net taxable loss and the allowable deduction on your tax return is provided in
Regulation 1642. The regulation also includes specific examples of how to compute the deduction for one vehicle
or for several vehicles.
When claiming a repossession loss, you:
• Can claim a deduction only if a net loss has been incurred.
• Can claim a deduction only to the extent that you sustain a net loss of gross receipts upon which you have paid tax.
• May base the wholesale value of the repossessed vehicle on industry-recognized wholesale price guides;
however, if the vehicle is not in average condition, you can make an appropriate adjustment to the published
wholesale price.
• Cannot use estimated or unsupported figures or percentages to calculate the repossession loss.
• Cannot claim a deduction for expenses incurred in attempting to collect an account.
• Cannot claim a deduction for that portion of a debt that is retained by, or paid to, a third party as compensation
for collecting an account.
• Must report and pay any amounts that you recovered after claiming a repossession loss. The report must be
made on the first tax return following the recovery.
You may also take bad debt deductions for uncollectible open accounts, provided they have been charged off
for income tax purposes. These deductions must be taken in substantially the same manner as those involving
repossessions (in other words, if the bad debt includes nontaxable charges, you cannot claim a deduction for
those charges). For example, if installation or repair labor is performed in connection with the sale of parts, you can
deduct only the portion of the bad debt losses applicable to your taxable sale of the parts. The installation or repair
labor is not subject to tax and cannot be deducted.
For more information, please refer to Regulation 1642 or call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115
(TTY:711).
Bad debts incurred in connection with accounts held by lenders
You may have incurred bad debts on dealer-financed loans sold with or without recourse and loans sold without
recourse to third-party lenders. At times, to offset any losses a lender may incur as the result of a purchaser/
borrower’s default, the lender pays a portion of the principal to you, the dealer, and retains the remainder in a loss
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reserve account. The amount charged to the reserve account represents a reduction in the amount of gross receipts
from the original sale of the automobile.
If the loan was sold with recourse to a third-party lender, you may be entitled to claim a bad debt deduction or
refund as if the loan had not been sold. You are entitled to a bad debt deduction to the extent of the actual losses
you incurred. Depending on the terms of the contract with the lender, this amount may be the taxable amount of
the lender’s deductions from the reserve account. This amount excludes any nontaxable receipts, such as interest,
insurance, repair, or installation labor.
To support your claimed bad debt deduction or refund, the loan must have been found worthless and charged off
for federal income tax purposes and otherwise satisfy the provisions of Regulation 1642, Bad Debts. Additionally, the
amount should not include any fees, such as collection fees or management fees charged by the lender to the reserve
account. You are required to substantiate that such fees are not included in a claimed bad deduction or refund.
If the loan was sold without recourse to the lender, you may still be entitled to claim a bad debt deduction or
refund. You and the lender must complete an election that designates you as the person entitled to claim any
deduction or refund for tax previously paid. The election must contain the elements discussed in Regulation 1642.
The claimed amount is measured by the amount of the account found to be worthless and charged off. After
completing this election, you and the lender are now only required to maintain a copy of the election(s) in your
respective records —do not file these elections with us.
For additional information concerning bad debts incurred in connection with accounts held by lenders, please refer
to Regulation 1642 or publication 117, Filing a Claim for Refund, or call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-
7115 (TTY:711).
California “Lemon Law”
The “Lemon Law” provides recourse to a customer who purchased a new motor vehicle when a vehicle is not
repaired to conform to the applicable express warranties after a reasonable number of attempts. The manufacturer
must either reimburse the customer (make restitution) for the adjusted cost of the original vehicle (including a
refund of the sales tax paid to the state) or replace the vehicle. The customer may select monetary restitution or
vehicle replacement.
Manufacturers may be entitled to receive a refund from us for sales tax refunded to customers. Described below are
procedures on the handling of Lemon Law transactions involving:
1) Restitution, and
2) Replacement vehicles.
When the customer selects restitution
The manufacturer must pay an amount equal to the actual price paid or payable by the customer, including any
sales tax, license fees, registration fees, and other official fees, plus any incidental damages to which the buyer is
entitled. The manufacturer may deduct amounts for the usage of the defective vehicle and any amount charged for
non-manufacturer items installed by the dealer from the original vehicle selling price before calculating the sales
tax refund. (See the sample claim for refund calculation in Exhibit 3, Example 1 of the Appendix.)
When the customer selects vehicle replacement
Most Lemon Law transactions involving replacement vehicles are coordinated by manufacturers through their
dealerships. When a customer chooses replacement, the replacement vehicle is considered a part of the original
sale under a mandatory warranty. When manufacturers adhere to this provision, they can only file a claim for refund
when the value of the replacement vehicle is less than the original vehicle and the customer has been refunded the
difference, including applicable sales tax reimbursement.
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The following examples outline the acceptable procedures to follow for vehicle replacements:
1. The customer selects a replacement vehicle having a value greater than the credit given for the original
vehicle.
In this situation, the dealership is liable for the sales tax on the amount the customer pays in excess of the
credit given for the original vehicle (the incremental amount). License (registration) and amounts billed for
nontaxable fees included in the credit given for the original vehicle must not be deducted from the price of
the new vehicle when calculating the amount subject to tax. The dealership must report only the incremental
amount (the difference between the replacement vehicle and the credit allowed for the original vehicle) on
its sales and use tax return as a taxable sale, rather than the full amount of the sales price of the replacement
vehicle. (See the sample calculation of sales tax due in Exhibit 3, Example 2 of the Appendix.)
2. The customer selects a replacement vehicle having a value less than the credit given for the original
vehicle.
The manufacturer should refund the difference to the customer, including the sales tax collected from the
customer and paid to the state. The manufacturer may seek a refund of sales tax included in the amount
reimbursed to the buyer by filing
CDTFA-101, Claim for Refund or Credit, with us. The dealership should
not report this replacement transaction on its sales and use tax return. (See the sample claim for refund
calculation in Exhibit 3, Example 3 of the Appendix.)
3. The customer selects a replacement vehicle with an equivalent price and an exchange of vehicles occurs
at no additional cost.
Since the credit for the returned vehicle is the same as the negotiated sales price of the replacement
vehicle and no additional amount is required to be paid, do not report the transaction on the dealer’s sales
and use tax return. The manufacturer should not file a claim for refund for the sales tax on the original
vehicle.
Supporting documentation required
Vehicle dealers with Lemon Law replacement transactions must retain documentation in their files explaining and
supporting these transactions. The dealership must retain any documentation provided by the manufacturer and make it
available upon our request in support of the transactions and any claims for refund filed by the manufacturer.
To support the transaction, the dealer must retain, at a minimum, the original sales contract, the new sales contract
(if applicable), and any documentation provided by the manufacturer. In addition, the dealer must retain an
explanation of how any credits allowed to the buyer were calculated, including the amount of sales tax included in
the credit to the buyer.
Filing a claim for refund
If the manufacturer, through its authorized dealership, is unable to restore the vehicle to mandatory warranty
conformity, the dealership can be authorized by the manufacturer to handle the transaction as a Lemon Law
transaction. The customer has the option to select either a monetary restitution or vehicle replacement. The
manufacturer may file a claim for refund of the tax with us when either:
1) Full monetary restitution is made to the customer, or
2) The customer selects a replacement vehicle having a value less than the original vehicle and the difference
(including the amount collected for sales tax) is refunded to the buyer.
The claim for refund must state that restitution was paid to the customer in accordance with sections 1793.2
through 1793.26 of the California Civil Code. Include copies of all documentation regarding the transaction when
submitting the claim, including the amount collected for sales tax refunded or credited, a copy of the branded title
of the reacquired vehicle (with the notation “LEMON LAW BUYBACK”), and copies of documents to support the
amount refunded to the customer. In addition, a statement must be submitted from the dealership which originally
sold the vehicle to indicate sales tax was reported and paid on the original sales transaction.
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Send all claims to the following address:
Audit Determination and Refund Section MIC:39
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
PO Box 942879
Sacramento, CA 94279-0039
For more information on the Lemon Law
Please refer to Regulation 1655, Returns, Defects and Replacements, for additional information on the California
Lemon Law.
Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights
Contract cancellation options required
Vehicle dealers must offer customers a contract cancellation option on certain used vehicle sales. If a buyer chooses
to purchase a contract cancellation option, the buyer will have the right to cancel the purchase and receive a full
refund, including amounts charged for sales tax, under certain conditions. The specific requirements for returning
the vehicle for a full refund must be shown on a separate agreement, as described below. The full refund must
also include any vehicle the buyer left with dealers as a down payment or trade-in. The portion of the sales price
refunded to the purchaser under a contract cancellation option that meets all the requirements in the Car Buyer’s
Bill of Rights is not subject to sales and use tax.
This requirement applies only to sales of used vehicles with a purchase price of less than $40,000, sold for personal,
family, or household use. It does not apply to the sale of motorcycles, off-road vehicles, or recreational vehicles.
Vehicle dealers can charge their customer for the cancellation option, up to a maximum defined by law. The
maximum price of the option is based on the cash price of the vehicle. If the customer purchases this option, the
price of this option is not subject to sales and use tax.
Cash price* of vehicle
Maximum amount dealer can charge
for cancellation option agreement
Up to and including $5,000 $75
$5,000.01, up to and including $10,000 $150
$10,000.01, up to and including $30,000 $250
$30,000.01, but less than $40,000 1% of the purchase price
* The cash price of a vehicle, as defined by Civil Code section 2982(a)(1)(A), excludes document
preparation fees, business partnership automation fees, tax imposed on the sale, pollution
control certification fees, prior credit or lease balance on property being traded, service
contract charges, surface protection charges, optional debt cancellation agreement charges,
and contract cancellation option agreement charges. Vehicle Code section 11713.21(a)(2)(D)
adds that cash price also excludes registration, transfer, titling, license, and California tire and
optional business partnership automation fees.
Information required on cancellation option agreements
Required documentation on cancellation option agreements includes:
• The names of the seller and buyer, a description of the vehicle
purchased, and the vehicle VIN number.
• The time period in which the buyer may cancel the purchase and
return the vehicle. The deadline cannot be before the dealer’s close of business on the second day after the day
the vehicle is delivered to the customer. For example, if the dealer delivers a car to a customer on Monday, the
return deadline cannot be earlier than the dealer’s close of business on the following Wednesday.
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• The maximum number of miles the vehicle may be driven before it is returned under the agreement. The
maximum may not be less than 250 miles.
• The buyer must pay any restocking fee if the buyer cancels the purchase.
• The specific requirements for returning the vehicle for a refund.
Restocking fee
A restocking fee may be charged based on the cash price of the vehicle. The restocking fee is not subject to sales
and use tax.
Price of vehicle Maximum restocking fee
$5,000 or less $175
Between $5,000.01 and $10,000 $350
$10,000.01 or more $500
The buyer’s responsibilities upon cancellation of contract
The buyer must provide the following if they choose to cancel the purchase:
• A signed statement indicating that the buyer chooses to cancel the purchase of the vehicle.
• Any restocking fee specified in the contract cancellation option, less the cost the buyer pays for the contract
cancellation option agreement.
• All documents originally provided to the buyer from the seller, including the vehicle purchase contract and the
original contract cancellation option agreement.
• All original vehicle title and registration documents.
The vehicle must be returned in the condition in which it was sold, except for normal wear and tear. Also, the
vehicle must not have been driven beyond the maximum mileage limit stated in the cancellation agreement.
If you have specific questions regarding the Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights, or other portions of the California Vehicle
Code, contact DMV at www.dmv.ca.gov.
For more information on the Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights
Please refer to Regulation 1655, Returns, Defects and Replacements, or if you have any questions, please call our
Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711).
Courtesy deliveries to and for out-of-state dealers
Factory-directed deliveries
An out-of-state dealer may contract to sell a vehicle to a customer in California and will direct the manufacturer to
make delivery to the customer at a specified location in California. The manufacturer may then deliver the vehicle to
a dealer in California, who will redeliver it to the customer. The delivering dealer normally charges the manufacturer
for new car preparation, but the vehicle is not entered in the dealer’s inventory.
Application of tax
If the out-of-state dealer is not engaged in business in California or does not have a California seller’s permit and a
dealer’s license from the California DMV, the tax must be reported and paid by the California dealer, based on the
retail sales price. In this instance, under the Sales and Use Tax Law, the California dealer is considered to have made
a retail sale.
Note—MTE
As a dealer, in most cases, you owe tax (based on the retail sales price of the equipment) if you make a factory-
directed delivery of MTE to a leasing company for lease purposes (there are some exceptions). This applies to
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vehicles such as trucks, buses, truck tractors, truck trailers, pickup trucks, pickup-type vehicles, and similar vehicles
classified as MTE (defined in Regulation 1661, Leases of Mobile Transportation Equipment).
Deliveries that are not factory-directed
Typically, this involves a delivery agreement reached directly between an out-of-state dealer and a California dealer.
The manufacturer is not involved. For example, an out-of-state dealer who is not engaged in business in California
may ask a California dealer to deliver a vehicle to a customer located in this state. The vehicle is taken from the
inventory of the California dealer, and the local dealer will invoice the out-of-state dealer for the car.
Application of tax
In the example in the previous paragraph, the California dealer must report and pay sales tax on the transaction
unless the California customer is another dealer who provides a completed California resale certificate when
purchasing the vehicle. Tax is based on the retail sales price paid by the customer to the out-of-state dealer.
Please note: If MTE is involved (see Note—MTE above) and the customer is a leasing company, the transaction is,
except under certain conditions, subject to sales tax based on the selling price charged by the out-of-state dealer.
Modications of vehicles for people with disabilities
Tax does not apply to the sale or installation of items and materials that:
• Are used to modify a vehicle so that people with disabilities can operate it or when such items and materials
are necessary to enable the vehicle to be used to transport a physically disabled individual, and
• Are incorporated into, attached to, or installed on the vehicle.
Sales of tools and materials used to modify the vehicle, but which are not incorporated into, attached to, or installed
on the vehicle, are subject to tax.
Please note: The following definitions apply to this exemption:
• People with disabilities include disabled people who qualify for special parking privileges as described in
Vehicle Code
section 5007.
• The term “vehicle” as used in this section of the publication refers to:
1) All devices that qualify as vehicles under the Vehicle Code section 670, including, but not limited to,
automobiles, vans, trucks, mobile homes, and trailer coaches.
2) Vehicles that are: (1) owned or operated by physically disabled people, or (2) used in the public or private
transport of disabled people and which would otherwise qualify for a distinguishing license plate were
they registered to a physically disabled individual (as described in Vehicle Code section 5007).
Recordkeeping
It is important to maintain adequate records since our representatives may examine your books, papers, records,
and other documents to verify the accuracy of your tax returns or, if no return is made, to determine the amount of
tax that is due. Failure to maintain accurate records is considered evidence of negligence or intent to evade tax and
may result in penalties.
Sales documents
There are three types of billings used by most automobile dealers:
1. Motor Vehicle Contract and Security Agreement
2. Parts and accessory counter sales invoices
3. Repair orders
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Motor vehicle contract and security agreement—new car dealers
Most dealers use a motor vehicle contract and security agreement as the basic sales document. Vehicle contracts
usually contain four copies provided for the:
1. Deal jacket (customer folders used by new car dealers)
2. Customer
3. Financing company
4. Dealer files
The deal jacket contains sales information from the vehicle sales contract. Some dealers may prepare a vehicle
sales invoice to post the information from the contract to their records.
Most new car dealers will have records prescribed by major automobile
manufacturers. Included in these records are monthly financial statements
prepared on forms provided by the manufacturer or distributor which will
reflect the dealer’s operations in detail.
Sales journals—new car dealers
The journals normally used by new car dealers are:
1. New car retail
2. New car fleet
3. New car commercial
4. Used car
5. Parts, accessory, and service
6. Internal
7. Stock book
The stock book typically lists each vehicle delivered to the dealership in chronological order. Stock books can also
be a more complete listing of customer name, date vehicle received and sold, and the VIN. This book can help in
identifying courtesy deliveries, and vehicles which have remained in inventory for long periods (house cars and
demonstration vehicles).
Used car dealers’ records
A common means of control in used car dealers’ records are car envelopes and inventory books. In all instances,
DMV issues Report of Sale—Used Vehicle forms to the certificated used car dealer. Dealers selling late model used
cars will usually have flooring loans on purchases and sell on conditional sales contracts with recourse.
Car envelopes—used car dealers
Most used car dealers use car envelopes (also referred to as a car jacket, customer file, or deal jacket) rather than
the customer folders used by new car dealers. Dealers assign an inventory number to resale vehicles with a car
envelope prepared for the unit.
Details of each purchase and sale are placed on the proper lines on the printed face of the envelope. All documents
of purchase, reconditioning, and sale are inserted in the envelope.
It is necessary to record the various sources of purchases to account for all sold vehicles. Dealers receive cars from
trade-ins on sale of used vehicles, purchases of used cars from individuals, other new and used car dealers, or
wholesale or retail auctions. Sources of revenue besides sales from the lot include consignment sale of vehicles by
individuals and dealers, and sales at auctions.
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Dealers’ reports of sale—used car dealers
The only record common to all used car dealers is the Report of Sale-Used Vehicle form, issued by DMV. It is the
responsibility of the used car dealer to retain all Report of Sale-Used Vehicle forms including copies of forms that
have been returned to DMV and those forms that have been voided. These forms must be used in numerical
sequence. Preparation of the Report of Sale—Used Vehicle form requires paying license or transfer fees. The payment
may be made with DMV form FO 247, Transmittal of Registration Applications. This form contains the Report of Sale
number, or license number, and the amount of license or fees paid.
Under the Sales and Use Tax Law, you are required to keep adequate records that show:
• Your gross receipts from your sales or leases of vehicles and other tangible personal property, whether you
regard the receipts as taxable or nontaxable.
• All deductions allowed by law and claimed on your sales and use tax returns.
• The total purchase price of all tangible personal property purchased for sale, consumption (use), or lease. (For
example, vehicle purchase invoices or auction receipts.)
These records must include:
• The normal books of account.
• All bills, receipts, invoices, repair orders, contracts, or other documents of original entry that support the entries
in your books of account.
• All schedules of working papers used in connection with the preparation of your tax returns.
• All DMV Report of Sale–Used Vehicle forms that have been issued to you.
How long should I keep my business records?
You should keep required records for at least four years unless we give you specific, written authorization to destroy
them sooner.
If you are being audited, retain all records that cover the audit period until the audit is complete, even if that means
keeping them longer than four years. In addition, if you have a dispute with us about how much tax you owe, it is
important to retain the related records until that dispute is resolved. For instance, if you appeal the results of an audit
or another determination (billing), or file a claim for refund, keep your records while that matter is pending.
If you have a point-of-sale system that overwrites data after a period of time less than four years, you should
transfer, maintain, and have available all data that would have been overwritten or otherwise removed from the
system for the required time periods indicated above.
For more information, please refer to Regulation 1698, Records, publication 116, Sales and Use Tax Records, or our
Customer Service Center.
Sale of business or equipment
Tax applies to the sale of equipment and tools used in your business. If you sell your business for a lump-sum price,
sales tax applies to the fair market value of the equipment, tools, and other tangible personal property sold. You
must report and pay tax on the sale of any vehicles included in the sale that are sold for use rather than for resale
(for example, delivery cars, parts department pickups, or tow trucks).
For more information on the sale of business assets, see Regulation 1595, Occasional Sales—Sale of a Business—
Business Reorganization.
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Gasoline
Taxable and nontaxable uses
Generally, vehicle dealers no longer have their own underground gasoline storage tanks and do not buy “bulk” fuel.
It is more convenient to open an account with a nearby gasoline station. If you are a lessor of vehicles that are not
MTE and you are unable to issue a resale certificate when purchasing gasoline furnished for wet rentals, you may
claim a deduction for the sales tax paid. When tax is reported based on total rental receipts without a deduction for
the gasoline, the lessor may claim a deduction for tax-paid purchases resold on its sales and use tax return.
Use tax on gasoline
Dealers may have the option to provide a resale certificate to the seller when purchasing gasoline which they
intend to include as part of their sales. You are not liable for reporting tax on gasoline that is in the fuel tank of a
vehicle at the time it is sold (we consider it to be sold as part of the vehicle). However, you are liable for other uses of
gasoline, as described below.
You are generally liable for use tax on the use of gasoline that you or the manufacturer place in the fuel tank of:
• Company cars, service cars, tow trucks,
• Vehicles that are being held for resale or lease and used prior to their sale,
• Vehicles whose use is taxable under the 1/40th or 1/60th formula (such as vehicles assigned to salespersons or
other employees) (see
Vehicles used by salespersons for demonstration or display),
• Vehicles that are used for demonstration only,
• Loaned vehicles that are taxable based on the cost of purchase, and
• Loaned vehicles that are taxable based on their fair rental value.
How to report use tax on gasoline
If the amount of gasoline that you purchased for resale, without payment of tax, is more than the amount of
gasoline sold with vehicles, the difference must be reported on your tax return under Purchases Subject to Use Tax. In
determining the amount of gasoline purchased without payment of tax, do not overlook the gasoline in the tanks
of new vehicles that you purchased for resale from a manufacturer. The cost of the gasoline on which use tax is
based includes Federal Excise Tax and State Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax.
If the amount of gasoline that you purchased without payment of tax is less than the amount of gasoline sold with
vehicles, the difference can be reported as a deduction on your tax return, under Cost of Tax-Paid Purchases Resold
Prior to Use.
When taking a deduction for tax-paid purchases resold, keep in mind the sales tax rate on gasoline is at a lower
tax rate than other taxable sales. The sales tax rate for gasoline is 2.25 percent, plus applicable district taxes. When
filing your sales and use tax return electronically with an account coded as a seller of fuel, the program is set up to
calculate the tax-paid purchases resold deduction at the rate for gasoline. Don’t forget to subtract the sales tax paid
from your cost of the gasoline purchased before entering your tax-paid purchases resold deduction.
Claiming a tax-paid purchases resold deduction for gasoline and diesel fuel
You are entitled to reduce the amount of sales tax that you owe on your vehicle sales by the amount of sales tax you
paid when you purchased your gasoline (MVF) or diesel fuel when you sell the vehicle with fuel.
The statewide sales tax rate for the sale of a vehicle is currently 7.25 percent plus applicable district taxes; however,
the statewide sales tax rate for gasoline is only 2.25 percent plus applicable district taxes. The statewide sales tax on
diesel fuel is 9.00 percent plus applicable district taxes.
Because the tax rate that applies to sales of gasoline and diesel fuel is different than the tax rate that applies to the
sale of a vehicle, and the price you pay at the pump is a tax-included price, you will need to calculate the allowable
amount of your deduction.
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Most vehicle dealers file a CDTFA-401-A, State, Local, and District Sales and Use Tax Return*. If you file a CDTFA-401-A
and you need to claim a Cost of Tax-Paid Purchases Resold (TPPR) deduction to recover the sales tax paid on gasoline
or diesel, you must compute the allowable deduction and district tax adjustment by following the calculation found
in CDTFA-401-INST, Instructions for Completing the 401A, State, Local, and District Sales and Use Tax Return.
* Some retailers file a CDTFA-401-GS, State, Local, and District Sales and Use Tax Return MVF (Gas Sellers), return allowing them to properly recover the
correct amount of tax paid on their purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel. For information on claiming your Cost of Tax-Paid Purchases Resold (TPPR) deduction
on MVF or diesel on CDTFA-401-GS, refer to CDTFA-401-GSIN, Instructions for Completing CDTFA-401-GS, State, Local, District Sales and Use Tax Return –
Motor Vehicle Fuel. Paper returns show the form number in top left hand corner. If you are filing an online return and your return has a Schedule G button, you
are filing a CDTFA-401-GS return. Otherwise you are filing a CDTFA-401-A return.
Self-consumed items (items used for purposes other than for resale)
If you use an item purchased without paying tax (for example, a California resale certificate was issued when
purchasing the item), you owe use tax measured by its purchase price when the item is used for a purpose other
than resale or lease. Examples of taxable uses include oil, grease, gasoline, and parts that are used for company
vehicles or service department vehicles. The cost of such items must be reported on your sales and use tax return
under Purchases Subject to Use Tax.
Please note: Using an item for display or demonstration purposes while it is being held for resale in the regular
course of business is not considered a taxable use.
Use tax often applies to the use of the following items. If you have any questions regarding your tax liability for
items used for purposes other than for resale, please contact our Customer Service Center.
Oil and grease
If you use oil and grease in company cars, such as service cars, loan cars, or tow trucks, you are considered the
consumer (user) of these products and tax is due based on your purchase price. Tax also applies to oil and grease
used in vehicles subject to tax under the 1/40th or 1/60th formula (such as vehicles assigned to salespersons or
other employees).
The oil and grease installed in new or used vehicles that are being held only for resale are not subject to the use tax.
In this case, the products are considered as sold with the vehicle.
Parts and accessories
Report and pay tax on the cost of parts and accessories installed on the following vehicles:
• Loan cars whose use is subject to tax based on the cost of purchase, and
• Company cars, service cars, and tow trucks.
You are considered the consumer (user) of these parts and accessories, and the sale of these items to you is taxable.
If you did not pay tax to your vendor when you purchased them, report the cost of the items on your sales and use
tax return under Purchases Subject to Use Tax.
You are not required to report tax on the cost of parts and accessories installed on the following vehicles:
• Vehicles held for resale or taxable lease, including vehicles used for demonstration or display.
• Vehicles whose use is subject to tax under the 1/40th or 1/60th formula
(such as
vehicles assigned to sales persons or other employees).
• Loan cars whose use is subject to tax based on their fair rental value.
You are considered the seller of these parts and accessories because they are regarded as being resold with the
vehicle.
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Tools and equipment
Do not issue a resale certificate to vendors when purchasing tools and equipment used in your business. The sale of
such tools and equipment to you is taxable. If you buy these items from an automotive supply house that also sells
repair parts for resale, make it clear to the supplier that the tools and equipment are not purchased for resale.
Auto painting, body work, and other auto repairs
For additional information about how tax applies to charges for vehicle repair, painting, and warranty-related work,
see publication 25, Auto Repair Garages and Service Stations.
Tire sales
Sellers of new tires must register with us and collect the California Tire Fee on every new tire sold. You can keep one
and a half (1.5) percent of the fees you collect as a reimbursement for your related costs. The fee itself is not taxable,
but if you charge an amount higher than the required fee, that excess charge is taxable. For more information, see
publication 91, California Tire Fee.
For general information about the application of tax to sales of parts, labor, hazardous waste fees, oil recycling fees,
and the proper method for invoicing your customers, please see publication 25.
Battery sales
Dealers (retailers) of new replacement lead-acid batteries that are commonly found in vehicles, watercraft, aircraft,
or equipment must register with us and collect the lead-acid battery fees. Sales of lead-acid batteries are subject to
two separate fees:
• Dealers (retailers) of replacement lead-acid batteries are responsible for collecting the California battery fee
from consumers at the time of purchase.
• Manufacturers or importers (when there is no manufacturer subject to the jurisdiction of this state) of lead-acid
batteries shall pay the manufacturer battery fee when selling batteries in California.
The California battery fee is a fee imposed on every new replacement battery sold at retail in California. As a retailer
of lead-acid batteries, you may keep one and a half (1.5) percent of the fees you collect as a reimbursement for your
related costs. The fee itself is not taxable, but if you charge an amount higher than the required fee, that excess
charge is taxable.
For more information regarding lead-acid battery fees and exclusions, see the Lead-Acid Battery Fees Guide on our
website.
For general information about the application of tax to sales of parts, labor, and hazardous waste fees, and oil
recycling fees, see publication 25.
Deal-of-the-Day instruments
Third party Internet-based companies such as Groupon or LivingSocial offer Deal-of-the-Day Instruments (DDI) for
sale on their website. DDIs, with certain specific terms and conditions, are considered retailer coupons and you, the
retailer, are considered the issuer of the DDI. The sale of a DDI to a customer is not subject to tax. However, when
the DDI is redeemed for taxable merchandise/service, your gross receipts subject to tax include the consideration
paid by the customer for the DDI plus any additional cash, credit, or other consideration paid to you by the
customer at the time of the sale. When the type of sale is normally not subject to tax, then tax would not apply to
the sale of the merchandise and/or service when a DDI is redeemed by the customer.
For additional information, please refer to publication 113, Coupons, Discounts and Rebates.
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INTERNET
www.cdtfa.ca.gov
You can visit our website for additional information—such as laws, regulations, forms, publications, industry guides,
and policy manuals—that will help you understand how the law applies to your business.
You can also verify seller’s permit numbers on our website (see Verify a Permit, License, or Account).
Multilingual versions of publications are available on our website at
www.cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/all-forms-and-publications.htm.
Another good resource—especially for starting businesses—is the California Tax Service Center at www.taxes.ca.gov.
TAX INFORMATION BULLETIN
The quarterly Tax Information Bulletin (TIB) includes articles on the application of law to specific types of
transactions, announcements about new and revised publications, and other articles of interest. You can find
current TIBs on our website at www.cdtfa.ca.gov/taxes-and-fees/tax-bulletins.htm. Sign up for our CDTFA updates
email list and receive notification when the latest issue of the TIB has been posted to our website.
FREE CLASSES AND SEMINARS
We offer free online basic sales and use tax classes including a tutorial on how to file your tax returns. Some classes are
offered in multiple languages. If you would like further information on specific classes, please call your local office.
WRITTEN TAX ADVICE
For your protection, it is best to get tax advice in writing. You may be relieved of tax, penalty, or interest charges that
are due on a transaction if we determine that we gave you incorrect written advice regarding the transaction and
that you reasonably relied on that advice in failing to pay the proper amount of tax. For this relief to apply, a request
for advice must be in writing, identify the taxpayer to whom the advice applies, and fully describe the facts and
circumstances of the transaction.
For written advice on general tax and fee information, please visit our website at www.cdtfa.ca.gov/email to email
your request.
You may also send your request in a letter. For general sales and use tax information, including the California
Lumber Products Assessment, or Prepaid Mobile Telephony Services (MTS) Surcharge, send your request to:
Audit and Information Section, MIC:44, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, P.O. Box 942879,
Sacramento, CA 94279-0044.
For written advice on all other special tax and fee programs, send your request to: Program Administration Branch,
MIC:31, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, P.O. Box 942879, Sacramento, CA 94279-0031.
TAXPAYERS’ RIGHTS ADVOCATE
If you would like to know more about your rights as a taxpayer or if you have not been able to resolve a problem
through normal channels (for example, by speaking to a supervisor), please see publication 70, Understanding Your
Rights as a California Taxpayer, or contact the Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate Office
for help at 1-888-324-2798. Their fax
number is 1-916-323-3319.
If you prefer, you can write to: Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate, MIC:70, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration,
P.O. Box 942879, Sacramento, CA 94279-0070.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For additional information or assistance, please take advantage of the resources listed below.
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER
1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711)
Customer service representatives are available
Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Pacific time), except state holidays. In addition to
English, assistance is available in other languages.
OFFICES
Please visit our website at
www.cdtfa.ca.gov/office-locations.htm
for a complete listing of our office locations. If you
cannot access this page, please contact our
Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711).
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Regulations, forms, and publications
Lists vary by publication
Selected regulations, forms, guides, and publications that may interest you are listed below. Spanish versions of our
publications are also available online.
Forms
CDTFA-101 Claim for Refund or Credit
CDTFA-106 Vehicle/Vessel Use Tax Clearance Request
CDTFA-447 Statement Pursuant to Section 6247 of the
California Sales and Use Tax Law
CDTFA-448 Statement of Delivery Outside California
CDTFA-531 Schedule B – Detailed Allocation by
County of Sales and Use Tax Transactions
Publications
17 Appeals Procedures: Sales and Use Taxes and
Special Taxes and Fees
25 Auto Repair Garages and Service Stations
44 District Taxes (Sales and Use Taxes)
46 Leasing Tangible Personal Property
52 Vehicles and Vessels: Use Tax
58A How to Inspect and Correct Your Records
70 Understanding Your Rights as a California
Taxpayer
73 Your California Seller’s Permit
74 Closing Out Your Account
75 Interest, Penalties, and Collection Cost
Recovery Fee
76 Audits
77 Out-Of-State Sellers: Do You Need to Register with
California?
91 California Tire Fee
102 Sales to the United States Government
105 District Taxes and Sales Delivered in California
108 Labor Charges
116 Sales and Use Tax Records
119 Warranties and Maintenance Agreements
146 Sales to Native Americans and Sales in Indian
Country
Tax and Fee Guides
Lead-Acid Battery Fees Guide
Regulations
1526 Producing, Fabricating and Processing Property
Furnished by Consumers – General Rules
1546 Installing, Repairing, Reconditioning In General
1566 Automobile Dealers and Sales Representatives
1566.1 Auto Auctions and Auto Dismantlers
1591.3 Vehicles for Physically Handicapped Persons
1595 Occasional Sales—Sales of a Business—Business
Reorganization
1610 Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft
1614 Sales to the United States and its Instrumentalities
1619 Foreign Missions and Consuls
1620 Interstate and Foreign Commerce
1641 Credit Sales and Repossessions
1642 Bad Debts
1655 Returns, Defects and Replacements
1660 Leases of Tangible Personal Property—In General
1661 Leases of Mobile Transportation Equipment
1668 Sales for Resale
1669.5 Demonstration, Display, and Use of Property Held for
Resale—Vehicles
1671.1 Discounts, Coupons, Rebates, and Other Incentives
1686 Receipts for Tax Paid to Retailers
1698 Records
1700 Reimbursement for Sales Tax
1802 Place of Sale and Use for Purposes of Bradley-Burns
Uniform Local Sales and Use Taxes
1803 Application of Tax
1803.5 Long-Term Leases of Motor Vehicles
1821 Foreword
1823 Application of Transactions (Sales) Tax and Use Tax
1823.5 Place of Delivery of Certain Vehicles, Aircraft and
Undocumented Vessels
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Appendix
Exhibit 1 Lemon Law Calculations:
Example 1: Restitution—Method of calculating sales tax refund when the customer elects restitution instead
of replacement
Example 2
: Replacement Vehicle—Method of calculating sales tax due when the replacement vehicle has a
value greater than the credit given for the original vehicle
Example 3
: Replacement Vehicle—Method of calculating the sales tax refund when the replacement vehicle
has a value less than the credit given for the original vehicle
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Lemon Law Calculations
Example 1: Restitution—Method of calculating sales tax refund when the customer elects restitution instead of
replacement
The tax rate in effect at the time of purchase was 8.25 percent. The vehicle was driven 5,907 miles prior to the first
nonconformity. Please note this example does not take into account other types of manufacturer to customer
reimbursements (for example, finance charges, attorney fees, rental car, among others).
Description
Per Sales Contract
(Original Vehicle)
A. Cash Price of Vehicle $22,100.00
B. Accessories
1. Manufacturer-Installed Options $500.00
2. Dealer-Installed Options $150.00
C. Document Fee $45.00
Less: Usage*
($1,112.49)
Dealer-Installed Options**
($150.00)
Subtotal
$21,532.51
D. Sales Tax Due ($21,532.51 x 8.25%)
$1,776.43
E. License Fee $183.00
Total $23,491.94
In the above case, the manufacturer is required to reimburse the customer a minimum of $23,491.94 as restitution.
When the customer is fully reimbursed and all other applicable requirements of the Civil Code are met, the
manufacturer may file a claim for refund with us for the sales tax in the amount of $1,776.43.
* Usage Calculation—The customer is liable for use of the defective vehicle prior to the time the customer first
delivers the vehicle to the manufacturer, or to its authorized service and repair facility for correction of the
problem that gave rise to the nonconformity. The amount attributable to such use by the customer will be
calculated by multiplying the total sales price of the motor vehicle by a fraction having as its denominator 120,000
and as its numerator the number of miles the vehicle was used by the customer, up to the first nonconformity.
(Cash Price of Original Vehicle) X (Miles Driven Prior to the First Nonconformity) = Usage
120,000
($22,100.00 + $500.00) X 5,907 = $1,112.49
120,000
** Dealer-installed options are not required to be reimbursed under the Civil Code.
(Exhibit 1)
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Example 2: Replacement Vehicle—Method of calculating sales tax due when the replacement vehicle has a
value greater than the credit given for the original vehicle
The tax rate of 8.25 percent was in effect at the time of both transactions (the replacement and the original
purchase). The original vehicle was driven 5,907 miles prior to the first nonconformity. This example does not take
into account other types of manufacturer to customer reimbursements (for example, finance charges, attorney fees,
rental car, among others).
Description
Replacement Vehicle
(Negotiated Price)
Per Sales Contract
(Original Vehicle)
Difference
A. Cash Price of Vehicle $28,500.00 $22,100.00 ($6,400.00)
B. Accessories
1. Manufacturer-Installed Options $855.00 $500.00 ($355.00)
2. Dealer-Installed Options $200.00 $150.00 ($50.00)
C. Document Fee $45.00 $45.00 ($0.00)
Less: Usage*
($1,112.49) ($1,112.49)
Dealer-Installed Options**
($150.00) ($150.00)
Subtotal
$29,600.00 $21,532.51
($8,067.49)
D. Sales Tax Due ($8,067.49 x 8.25%) $ 665.57
($665.57)
E. License Fee $237.00 $183.00 ($54.00)
Total $30,502.57 $21,715.51 ($8,787.06)
In the above case, the customer is entitled to a total credit of $21,715.51 from the original sales contract. Since the
value of the replacement vehicle was greater than the original vehicle, the customer would owe additional sales tax
of $665.57 on the additional taxable measure of $8,067.49. Report the additional taxable measure of $8,067.49 to
us along with the payment of the additional sales tax due of $665.57 for the replacement vehicle for the period in
which the replacement transaction takes place. Therefore, the manufacturer should not file a claim for refund on this
transaction. The customer is responsible for paying the additional amount of $8,787.06 to cover the additional cost
of the replacement vehicle. The total allowable credit from the original vehicle applied towards the replacement
vehicle is $21,715.51.
* Usage Calculation—The customer is liable for use of the defective vehicle prior to the time the customer first
delivers the vehicle to the manufacturer, or to its authorized service and repair facility for correction of the
problem that gave rise to the nonconformity. The amount attributable to such use by the customer will be
calculated by multiplying the total sales price of the motor vehicle by a fraction having as its denominator 120,000
and as its numerator the number of miles the vehicle was used by the customer, up to the first nonconformity.
(Cash Price of Original Vehicle) X (Miles Driven Prior to the First Nonconformity) = Usage
120,000
($22,100.00 + $500.00) X 5,907 = $1,112.49
120,000
** Dealer-installed options are not required to be reimbursed under the Civil Code.
MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS
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JULY 2024
Example 3. Replacement Vehicle—Method of calculating the sales tax refund when the replacement vehicle
has a value less than the credit given for the original vehicle
The tax rate of 8.25 percent was in effect at the time of both transactions, the replacement and the original
purchase. The original vehicle was driven 5,907 miles prior to the first nonconformity. This example does not take
into account other types of manufacturer to customer reimbursements (for example, finance charges, attorney fees,
rental car, among others).
Description
Replacement Vehicle
(Negotiated Price)
Per Sales Contract
(Original Vehicle)
Difference
A. Cash Price of Vehicle
$15,700.00 $22,100.00 ($6,400.00)
B. Accessories
1. Manufacturer-Installed Options $145.00 $500.00 ($355.00)
2. Dealer-Installed Options $100.00 $150.00 ($50.00)
C. Document Fee $45.00 $45.00 ($0.00)
Less: Usage*
($1,112.49) ($1,112.49)
Dealer-Installed Options**
($150.00) ($150.00)
Subtotal
$15,990.00 $21,532.51 ($5,542.51)
D. Sales Tax Due ($5,542.51 x 8.25%) $ 457.26
($457.26)
E. License Fee $130.00 $183.00 ($53.00)
Total $16,120.00 $21,172.77 ($6,052.77)
In the above case, the customer is entitled to a $6,052.77 refund directly from the manufacturer as well as the
replacement vehicle costing $16,120.00 for a total credit amounting to $22,172.77. When the customer is fully
reimbursed and all other requirements of the Civil Code are met, the manufacturer may file a claim for refund with
us for $457.26 in sales tax reimbursed.
* Usage Calculation—The customer is liable for use of the defective vehicle prior to the time the customer first
delivers the vehicle to the manufacturer, or to its authorized service and repair facility for correction of the
problem that gave rise to the nonconformity. The amount attributable to such use by the customer will be
calculated by multiplying the total sales price of the motor vehicle by a fraction having as its denominator 120,000
and as its numerator the number of miles the vehicle was used by the customer, up to the first nonconformity.
(Cash Price of Original Vehicle ) X (Miles Driven Prior to the First Nonconformity) = Usage
120,000
($22,100.00 + $500.00) X 5,907 = $1,112.49
120,000
** Dealer-installed options are not required to be reimbursed under the Civil Code.
JULY 2024
|
MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS
Notes
