ACTUAL CASH VALUE / PRESUMPTIVE VALUE
ACTUAL CASH VALUE APPRAISAL:
"Actual Cash Value" is the determination of the retail market value of a vehicle prior to particular situation. (ex. total loss, damage, theft, etc.) for an insurance claim settlement.
It is the owner's responsibility to provide the vehicle's documents, receipts for upgrades, pre-loss photos, etc. that will assist either an insurance adjuster and/or an appraiser to credibly and accurately determine the pre-loss retail market value of their vehicle.
PRESUMPTIVE VALUE APPRAISAL:
We are licensed insurance adjusters and are eligible to appraise all vehicles for their "Presumptive Value" for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
All Texans who buy a used vehicle from anyone other than a licensed vehicle dealer are required to pay motor vehicle sales tax (6.25 percent) on either its purchase price or its "Standard Presumptive Value" (SPV), whichever is the highest value.
A vehicle's "Standard Presumptive Value" is the calculated price of a vehicle's worth based on similar sales in the Texas region.
As appropriate, your county tax office calculates the sales tax you owe based on this valuation.
Vehicles purchased from licensed dealers are not subject to the standard presumptive value tax, only vehicles purchased from a private party.
The value applies whether you buy the vehicle in Texas or another state.
The Texas Legislature passed the law to ensure all Texans pay their fair share of vehicle sales taxes.
Please note: "Standard Presumptive Values" are updated weekly.
The "Standard Presumptive Value" presented here should be used for estimation purposes only.
Actual sales tax due is calculated at the county tax office when the title transaction is submitted.
Values for some late-model vehicles may not be available.
If you paid less than the standard presumptive value for your vehicle, you may pay sales taxes on an appraised amount provided it is determined by a licensed insurance adjuster or a licensed motor vehicle dealer and obtained within 20 working days of the date of purchase.
Vehicles not subject to taxation based on Standard Presumptive Value:
- New vehicles (not previously titled)
- Vehicles purchased from licensed dealers (dealers use purchase price only)
- Vehicles purchased at a governmental or foreclosure auction
- Vehicles 25 years old or older
- Off-road vehicles, such as dirt bikes or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
- Salvage or abandoned vehicles (except rebuilt salvage vehicles)
- Vehicles sold through a mechanic or storage lien
- Vehicles given as gifts to eligible applicants
- Even-trade vehicles, when vehicles of equal value are swapped by the owners
You can preview the full "Standard Presumptive Value" of a used vehicle by entering the vehicle identification number (VIN) and odometer reading (not needed for motorcycles) by clicking on the button below: