Missouri Vehicle Sales Tax & Fees [+ Calculator]
If you are looking to purchase a vehicle, you will want to factor in the state sales tax. In some cases, the state sales tax can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the cost of the vehicle. Some states have better rates than others.
Depending on where you make your purchase, state sales taxes can significantly affect the final price, adding anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
In Missouri, for example, vehicles are subject to a state sales tax rate of 4.225%.
However, this is just the starting point, as local taxes and fees can also apply, potentially increasing the overall cost.
Drawing on our extensive expertise in automotive finance, let’s dive into Missouri’s current state sales tax rate for vehicles. We’ll guide you through the calculation process, ensuring you understand exactly how much tax you’ll be paying on your next vehicle purchase.
How Much Is the Car Sales Tax in Missouri?
The current state sales tax on car purchases in Missouri is a flat rate of 4.225%.
That means if you purchase a vehicle in Missouri, you will have to pay a minimum of 4.225% state sales tax on the vehicle’s purchase price.
There may be an additional local tax rate as well, which can go as high as 6.125% or as low as 0.5%. However, the average local tax rate is 2.796%, making the average total tax rate in Missouri 7.021%.
There is no cap on Missouri vehicle sales tax, so ignore the $725 maximum that circulates online. You pay the full percentage whatever the car costs.
The local portion is set by where you live, not where the dealership sits, so driving to a low-tax town to buy does not lower your bill. You pay it to the Department of Revenue when you title the vehicle rather than to the dealer.
How to Calculate Missouri Sales Tax on a Car
You can calculate the Missouri sales tax on a car by multiplying the vehicle’s purchase price by the Missouri state sales tax rate of 4.225%.
Be sure to subtract any trade-ins or rebates and incentives before multiplying the tax rate.
Calculate Car Sales Tax in Missouri Example:
- Let’s say you purchase a new vehicle for $50,000
- Your trade-in vehicle is worth $7,500 and you get a $2,500 rebate
- That puts the cost of the vehicle at $40,000
- Now multiply $40,000 by 4.225%
- This gives you a states sales of $1,690
The example above does not account for the additional local tax rate.
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Do I Have to Pay Sales Tax on a Used Car?
The short answer is yes. In Missouri, the purchase of a used vehicle is subject to the same state sales tax rate as a new vehicle. This means if you buy a used car, you’re required to pay Missouri’s state sales tax of 4.225%. It’s important to factor this into your budget when planning your vehicle purchase, as the sales tax can significantly impact the total cost.
Beyond the state sales tax, be mindful that additional local taxes and fees may also apply, depending on where the transaction takes place. These can vary widely across different municipalities and counties, potentially affecting the final amount you’ll pay.
Which City Has the Highest Tax?
Branson has the highest combined rate in Missouri at 10.35%. On a $40,000 car that is $4,140 in tax, against $1,690 if only the state’s 4.225% applied, so where you register the vehicle matters a great deal here.
Which City Has the Lowest Tax?
When you factor in the local sales tax along with the state sales tax, the cities or counties with the lowest tax are Osceola, Collins, Roscoe, and Rockville, with a combined rate of 4.725% (local tax is 0.5%).
Car Sales Tax for Trade-Ins in Missouri
In the state of Missouri, your trade-in is not subject to the state sales tax. Therefore, you can lower your overall tax burden if you include a trade-in as part of the sale of your vehicle.
For example, let’s say that you want to purchase a new vehicle with a purchase price of $50,000. However, if you have a trade-in valued at $10,000, then the taxable purchase price of the vehicle is now just $40,000.
Car Sales Tax for Private Sales in Missouri
Missouri does tax private vehicle sales, and you are responsible for paying the state sales tax.
For instance, if you purchase a vehicle from a private seller for $30,000. Then that vehicle sale will be subject to the state’s 4.225% tax or $1,267.50.
Tax on Rebates & Dealer Incentives
In the state of Missouri, you are only taxed on the out-of-pocket cost of the vehicle, which is the amount after deducting trade-ins and rebates.
Let’s say that you purchase a vehicle for $50,000 and get a $2,500 rebate. That $2,500 will not be subject to the 4.225% state sales tax. So the total taxable amount is $47,500.
Other Taxes & Fees for Missouri
In the state of Missouri, you will have to consider other factors when it comes to calculating the total cost of your vehicle. Here’s a look at the various DMV and dealership fees that you may have to pay.
Missouri DMV/State Fees
- Registration Fee: The amount is based on either taxable horsepower or vehicle weight. The one-year fee is $51.25, while the two-year fee is $102.50.
- Title Fee: There is a title fee of $8.50 on all vehicles.
- Transfer Fee: There is a transfer fee of $2 on all vehicles.
- Title Processing Fee: There is a $6 title processing fee.
- Registration Processing Fee: There is a $6 registration processing fee.
Missouri Dealership Fees
- Documentation Fees: Missouri caps the dealer administrative fee, but far higher than most guides claim and it rises every year. The statutory base is $500 and the Department of Revenue adjusts it for inflation shortly after January 14 each year. The most recently published maximum is $604.47, up from $587.43 the year before. Anything above the current published cap is not lawful, so ask which year’s figure the dealer is quoting.
- Alternative Fuel Decal: Missouri charges electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles a decal fee instead of fuel tax. From January 1, 2026 a passenger EV pays $150 a year and a plug-in hybrid $75, plus a $9 processing fee each time.
When Sales Tax is Exempt in Missouri
There are several situations where sales tax on a vehicle can be exempt in Missouri. Here’s a look at the currently available exemptions:
- Charities: Vehicles purchased by charities are not subject to state sales tax.
- Religious Entities: Vehicles purchased by churches or other religious entities are not subject to sales tax.
- Taxes Paid to Another State: If a state sales tax is paid to another state, then the vehicle will be exempt from sales tax in Missouri.
- Gifted Vehicle: Vehicles acquired as gifts from a donor or descendent will not be taxed in Missouri.
- Government-Owned Units: Any government entity in the state of Missouri will not have to pay state sales tax on vehicle purchases.
- Public Schools: Public schools are exempt from paying state sales tax in Missouri.
- Vehicles with a weight over 54,000 pounds – Vehicles, including motor vehicles and trucks, with a weight over 54,000 pounds are exempt from state sales tax.
Missouri EV Rebates & Incentives
There are currently no state EV rebates or incentive programs. Missouri charges EVs rather than subsidising them: a passenger electric vehicle pays a $150 annual alternative fuel decal, and a plug-in hybrid $75, each with a $9 processing fee on top.
There is no federal credit either. The federal EV tax credit ended on September 30, 2025, so a Missouri buyer today gets no purchase incentive from either level of government, while still paying the $150 annual alternative fuel decal.
Tax information and rates are subject to change, please be sure to verify with your local DMV.
