Core answer: Vehicle purchase tax (购置税) = net-of-VAT price × 10%. Since sticker prices include 13% VAT: tax = sticker ÷ 1.13 × 10% ≈ sticker × 8.85%. A ¥200,000 car → ¥17,699 tax. NEVs (pure electric, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell) are EXEMPT through 2025-12-31 (capped at ¥30k relief), then taxed at HALF rate 2026–2027 (capped at ¥15k relief). Tax is paid once at registration — it's in the 落地价, not the sticker.
The formula
购置税 = 发票价 ÷ (1 + 13%) × 10%
| Sticker | Tax (ICE) |
|---|---|
| ¥100,000 | ¥8,850 |
| ¥150,000 | ¥13,274 |
| ¥200,000 | ¥17,699 |
| ¥300,000 | ¥26,549 |
| ¥500,000 | ¥44,248 |
Floor rule: if the invoice is unusually low, the tax office uses its minimum assessed price (最低计税价) — under-invoicing doesn't work.
The NEV exemption mechanics
- Through 2025: full exemption, capped at ¥30,000 of tax per vehicle → NEVs up to ~¥339k sticker pay ¥0; a ¥500k NEV pays (44,248 − 30,000) = ¥14,248.
- 2026–2027: half rate (5% effective), cap ¥15,000 → the ¥300k NEV pays 13,274 (fully covered → ¥0); the ¥500k NEV pays 22,124 − 15,000 = ¥7,124.
- Qualifying list: check the MIIT catalog (免征车辆购置税的新能源汽车车型目录) — the specific TRIM must be listed.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Timing decision. A ¥350k NEV bought Dec 2025: tax 30,973 − 30,000 = ¥973. Same car Jan 2026: 30,973 × 50% = 15,487 − 15,000 = ¥487... compute precisely: half-rate tax = 15,487, cap 15,000 → pay ¥487. Either way small — but a ¥600k NEV: 2025 pays 53,097 − 30,000 = ¥23,097; 2026 pays 26,549 − 15,000 = ¥11,549 — for luxury NEVs, 2026 is actually CHEAPER under the half-rate-with-cap rule. Run your specific number.
Example 2 — Invoice games fail. ¥200k car invoiced at ¥160k "to save tax": the office's floor price for that model is ¥180k → tax = 180,000 ÷ 1.13 × 10% = ¥15,929 anyway, plus the invoice discrepancy haunts resale and insurance claims.
Example 3 — Import case. Imported ¥800k car: purchase tax base = customs price + duty + consumption tax (组成计税价格), then ×10% ≈ ¥70,800+ — imports pay purchase tax on the POST-duty price.
Common mistakes and myths
- "NEV exemption is forever" — it's a dated policy (full→half→presumably normal); model-year and registration date decide your rate.
- Thinking hybrid = NEV — non-plug-in hybrids (HEV like 卡罗拉双擎) are NOT exempt; only 插电/增程/纯电/燃料电池 qualify.
- Forgetting the catalog check — a few trims fail the technical list (e.g., battery/rate specs); verify the exact variant in the MIIT catalog before signing.
- Paying twice — purchase tax is once per vehicle at first registration; used-car transfers don't repay it.
- Missing local stacking — some cities add purchase incentives (消费券, 置换补贴) that stack WITH the national exemption; check municipal programs before buying.