I think you pay the sales tax when you register the car, just like you would during a private sale. The only difference is that when you buy a car from a dealer

I think you pay the sales tax when you register the car, just like you would during a private sale. The only difference is that when you buy a car from a dealer, they probably help fill out that paperwork. I could be wrong, I've never bought a new car & my current vehicles were both gifts from a family member which only carried a flat $10 tax. Texas auto sales tax info: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/mtr_veh/mv_su.html http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/mtr_veh/mv_su.html