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Due at signing explained: what you pay to drive off

Monthly payment gets the headlines. Due at signing (DAS) is the cash that decides whether a lease is comfortable or a trap.

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Quick answer

Due at signing is the total cash due when you take the car: typically first payment + fees + taxes ± any down payment (capitalized cost reduction). Always ask for DAS broken out, not just “payment.”

Table of contents

DAS components Illustrative example How ads hide DAS How a broker helps FAQ

Due at signing components

First month’s payment

Usually collected up front. Some structures also collect a last month or security deposit.

Capitalized cost reduction

Optional “down payment” toward the car’s capitalized cost. Lowers monthly, raises cash due today.

Acquisition / bank fee

Finance company fee. Often a few hundred to over $1,000 depending on lender and brand.

Taxes

Handling varies by state. Some tax portions of payments; some tax more at signing. Your ZIP matters.

Documentation and registration

Dealer doc fees and state registration / plate costs commonly appear in DAS.

Gusto’s Take

If someone will not itemize DAS, you do not have a real offer yet. “Around $X down” is not a worksheet.

Illustrative example

Numbers below are educational only. They are not a live Gusto quote and will not match your credit, state taxes, or a specific VIN.

Line item	Example amount
First monthly payment	$499
Capitalized cost reduction (optional down)	$1,000
Acquisition fee	$695
Doc / registration estimate	$375
Tax estimate (varies by state)	$420
Total due at signing (illustrative)	$2,989

Remove the $1,000 down and monthly may rise while DAS drops. That tradeoff is exactly what we show in no money down car lease.

How ads hide due at signing

Payment-only headlines

“$299/mo” with fine print that assumes huge down payment or loyalty cash.

Tier 1 credit only

Best DAS and money factor may require excellent credit.

Rebate stacking

Incentives that do not apply to your situation get baked into the ad payment.

When you shop current deals, ask us for both monthly and DAS for your registration state (NYC, NJ, or CT).

How a broker helps before you sign

A broker’s job is not to memorize ad payments. It is to return options with structure explained: payment, DAS, miles, term, and what happens if credit lands in a different tier. That is the practical difference covered in broker vs dealer and how it works.

Side-by-side structures

Low DAS vs lower monthly with cash down.

State-aware drive-off

Quotes framed for where you title and register.

Less paperwork theater

You know the cash number before you take a day off for signing.

FAQ

Is due at signing the same as a down payment?

No. Down payment (cap cost reduction) can be part of DAS, but DAS also includes fees, taxes, and often the first payment.

Can DAS be $0?

Rare in a pure sense. Some offers minimize DAS, but fees or first payment still appear often. See the no money down guide.

What should I send Gusto for an accurate DAS?

Target car, registration state or ZIP, credit ballpark, and how much cash you want to put down (including $0).

Want DAS broken out on real options?

Request a quote for your car and ZIP. We will return monthly payment and due-at-signing as separate, clear numbers.

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