Calculate the annual German vehicle tax (Kfz-Steuer) for cars from engine displacement, CO2 emissions and first registration, or for electric vehicles based on weight and exemption.
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Combustion engineVehicle tax based on the tariff for the exact first-registration date
Combustion engine
iExact date from field B of the registration certificate; it determines the tariff and allowance.
Exact date from field B of the registration certificate; it determines the tariff and allowance.
cm³
As entered in the registration certificate.
g/km
Combined value from the registration certificate; required from 1 July 2009.
Load example
For illustration only – your own calculation is what counts.
Explanation
How German Vehicle Tax Calculator (Kfz-Steuer) works
The vehicle tax calculator determines annual car tax from drive type, engine displacement, CO2 emissions, emission class, weight and the exact first-registration date. All legal values come from a central, dated reference.
CO2 componentgrams above the date-dependent allowance × tariff tier
Allowances: 120 g/km through 2011, 110 g/km in 2012–2013 and 95 g/km from 2014; progressive tiers apply from 2021.
Electric vehicles
Follow-on taxationweight-based tax × 50 %
Applies only after the ten-year exemption ends; EUR 0 during the exemption.
Practice
Practical examples
For illustration only – your own calculation is what counts.
Petrol car first registered from 2021
Spark-ignition engine, 1,498 cm3 displacement, 130 g/km CO2, first registered on 1 January 2021.
Result: Displacement tax of EUR 30.00 plus a CO2 share of EUR 73.00 gives EUR 103.00 per year.
Pure electric vehicle within the exemption
Electric drive, 1,900 kg permissible gross weight, first registered on 1 January 2023, within the ten-year tax exemption.
Result: EUR 0.00 per year; the exemption under section 3d KraftStG runs until 31 December 2032.
Notes
Common mistakes
Petrol and diesel rate confused
The displacement rate of a diesel is calculated with the petrol rate.
Select the fuel type entered in the vehicle registration document.
Wrong CO2 allowance used
A blanket allowance of 95 g/km is used for all first registrations.
Use the 120, 110 or 95 g/km allowance belonging to the exact first-registration date.
Electric exemption assumed to be permanent
The time-limited exemption is understood as unlimited.
After ten years, at the latest until 2035, the halved weight-based tax applies.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which components make up vehicle tax for passenger cars?
From 1 July 2009 it consists of displacement and CO2 components. First registrations up to 30 June 2009 use emission-class-dependent displacement rates. Electric cars are taxed by weight after any exemption ends.
How is engine displacement taxed?
From 1 July 2009, each started 100 cm3 costs EUR 2.00 for petrol and EUR 9.50 for diesel engines. Earlier rates also depend on the emission class.
How does the CO2 component work?
The allowance is 120 g/km through 2011, 110 g/km in 2012–2013 and 95 g/km from 2014. From 2021 the rates rise in tiers from EUR 2.00 to EUR 4.00 per gram.
Why do diesels pay more displacement tax?
The statutory displacement rate for compression-ignition engines, at EUR 9.50 per 100 cm3, is well above the petrol rate. This reflects the separate taxation of diesel and petrol engines.
How are electric vehicles taxed?
Pure electric cars first registered up to 31 December 2030 are tax-exempt for ten years, at the latest until 31 December 2035. After that, the halved weight-based tax applies.
What happens after the electric exemption?
Once the exemption ends, the weight-based tax applies and is reduced by 50 percent under section 9(2) KraftStG. The calculator shows this follow-on value on request.
Why is the first registration date important?
It determines which CO2 scale applies and whether an electric exemption is granted. Vehicles from 2021 use the progressive CO2 scale.
What does the monthly reference value mean?
It divides the annual tax by twelve. However, the tax is generally levied annually in advance; the monthly value is only for orientation.
How up to date are the values?
All rates, allowances and deadlines come from a central, dated reference based on the KraftStG and are shown in the result with source and reference date.
Is the result a tax assessment?
No. The calculator provides technical orientation. The assessment issued by the main customs office and the values entered in the vehicle registration document are decisive.
Limits
Limitations
Only passenger cars under the basic rules of section 9 KraftStG; no motorhomes, trailers, motorcycles or commercial vehicles.
Historical basic passenger-car tariffs are included; special registrations, seasonal periods and historic-vehicle plates remain excluded.
Not a binding tax ruling; the assessment and vehicle documents are decisive.
Sources
Sources and references
§ 9 KraftStG – SteuersätzeBundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
Official tax rates: displacement rates for petrol and compression-ignition engines, the graduated CO2 component and the weight-based tax.
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