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Are sales taxes and fees included in car loans?
I'm new to the world of auto financing and I'm still trying to figure things out. Are taxes and fees included in the loan amount?
Jim Donaher · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“They can be included. They may be assumed to be part of the
car loan
if you finance directly through a dealer. Costs include sales tax, title and registration fees, and other things like dealer preparation and transportation (if the vehicle is being shipped from another location to your dealer). This can add up to a significant amount of money, and if you have no cash to put down, you will have to “roll it” into the loan.Lenders may or may not let you do this. They will consider your credit score, which needs to be at least good. They will also consider the loan-to-value ratio, meaning if you are borrowing a lot more than the car is worth, they will likely not let you roll sales tax and fees into the loan.
Generally, the best practice is to pay your fees and tax upfront, in cash, along with a significant down payment. This will save you money over the life of the loan on the interest you pay. Borrow what you need and make your loan term as short as your budget can stand. Remember, shorter-term loans have higher monthly payments.
“
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- Gregory R.
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