German Vehicle Tax Calculator

How this calculator works

This browser-based tool helps you make a first, transparent estimate from the values you provide. Enter the figures in the fields and the result updates as you edit them. JavaScript performs the calculation on your device; the calculator does not send your salary, property, vehicle or account details to a calculation server. Keep supporting documents secure and only enter sensitive figures on a device you trust.

Formula, assumptions and limits

Estimate annual German vehicle tax from engine size, fuel and CO₂ emissions. German vehicle tax is governed by the Motor Vehicle Tax Act (KraftStG), including sections 8 and 9.

Do not rely on a rounded estimate for a tax return, payment or legal decision. Compare it with official notices, current rate tables and professional advice where needed. Real-world outcomes may include additional reliefs, fees, rate changes or personal circumstances that a simple calculator cannot represent. Your entries are not saved and are discarded when you close the tab.

Use the output as a planning aid: verify each input, read the assumptions and adjust the figures when your circumstances differ. If an important detail is uncertain, contact the relevant authority or a qualified tax, legal or financial professional.

Before acting, check your inputs, tax year and jurisdiction. Note the assumptions used, compare the result with records and official guidance, and recalculate when rules or your circumstances change.

Engine size, CO₂ and registration details

German passenger-car tax can include an engine-capacity element and a carbon-dioxide element. This estimate therefore asks for engine size, fuel and the vehicle’s CO₂ figure. The simplified engine component treats petrol and diesel differently, while the emissions component uses the value shown in the vehicle documents. Enter the combined figure in grams per kilometre, not fuel consumption or a value from another test cycle. The result is an indicative annual amount in euros that can help compare vehicles; it is not a tax assessment from the customs administration.

The amount actually charged may depend on first registration, drive type, emissions category, transitional law and vehicle-specific facts. Electric cars, historic vehicles, seasonal registrations, commercial vehicles and temporary exemptions may not fit a basic passenger-car calculation. A model year alone is not enough to identify the legal rate. Use the registration certificate and an official notice as your source, and ask the seller for complete documents when buying a used car. Vehicle tax is only one part of ownership cost: insurance, fuel or charging, repairs, inspection, tyres and depreciation can be larger over time. Recheck official guidance whenever a registration date or vehicle specification is uncertain.

Frequently asked questions