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In Michigan or any other state what amount is the vehicle taxed at. Before incentives and down payments or after?
In my experience, it has been the final price paid for the car - what you actually wrote them a check/cash for.
It varies state to state and in some cases it depends which portion of a specific state you live in. There are just so many variables that there is no simple chart to reference. Some states calculate off of the selling price of the vehicle purchased (regardless of trade-in, rebates, or cash down), some go off the effective price (after rebates and trade-in but before cash down), some will actually go off the MSRP of the vehicle for the first year on a new vehicle.
Also, are you talking about sales tax, or taxes for registration?
Basically, they are going to screw you one way or another. By comparing the differences in local areas you still get screwed, but you get to choose the position.
In California they also tax you at the rate of your zip code on your driver's license (residence)...so if you go to let's say Orange County to buy a car where they have an 8.75% rate, you still end up paying 9.75% if you reside in Los Angeles County.