Car sales tax in Missouri
Missouri: Missouri state sales tax; plus a local rate of 1% to 7.263% by where you live.
On a $30,000 used car from a dealer with no trade-in, the tax is $1,567.50–$3,446.40 and all taxes and government fees come to about $1,612.25–$3,524.15.
Trade-in: a $10,000 trade-in lowers the tax by $522.50–$1,148.80. Private sale ($15,000): tax $783.75–$1,723.20.
Estimate of government charges. Your DMV, tax office or county calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: buying from a dealer in Missouri · Different situation?
Every line on a $30,000 dealer purchase
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri state sales tax | State & local tax | $1,267.50 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Local sales tax | State & local tax | $300.00–$2,178.90 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Title fee | Title | $8.50 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Title processing fee (license office) | Title | $9.00 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Passenger car registration (1 year, by taxable horsepower) | Registration & plates | $18.25–$51.25 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Registration processing fee (1-year) | Registration & plates | $9.00 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| County personal property tax on the vehicle (yearly) | Yearly taxes | you fill in | Missouri Department of Revenue |
How Missouri taxes a car purchase
- Trade-in: Trade-in allowance and rebates are deducted. The same allowance applies if you SELL a vehicle privately and buy another within 180 days before or after (bring the bill of sale); only one sold vehicle counts per purchase. An insurance total-loss payout plus deductible can also be deducted if you buy a replacement within 180 days.
- Private sale: Private-party purchases are taxed at the same state + local rates on the purchase price less any trade-in/sale allowance; tax is paid at the license office when titling.
- Bought in another state: Tax paid to another state is credited; you pay only the difference if Missouri's state + local tax is higher. Use the 'NON-MISSOURI DEALER' local rate. Proof of an out-of-state trade-in is required for the trade-in credit.
- Local tax: Add the city or county rate for the buyer's home address (not where the car was bought). The DOR chart has separate rates for cars bought from a non-Missouri dealer. The chart is quarterly (Oct-Dec 2026 cached). For an exact address, use DOR's tax calculator.
Exemptions (check the official rule before relying on one)
- Disability modification equipment: Equipment used solely to adapt a vehicle for a person with disabilities is exempt when invoiced separately.
- Sell-and-replace allowance (180 days): Sale price of a vehicle you sold privately reduces the taxable price of a vehicle bought within 180 days.
Dealer fees
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. Missouri sets a maximum documentary fee of $620.79. Maximum dealer administrative (doc) fee for 2026 (indexed to CPI each year, effective February 1). It must be charged to all retail customers equally and listed separately on the buyer's order.
Official tools: Missouri DOR Motor Vehicle Tax Calculator (state + local by address) · Missouri DOR Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Rate Chart (quarterly PDF) · Missouri DOR Form 5113 Customer Fee Schedule
Sources
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Titling and Registration FAQs
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Rate Chart (Updated 8/25/2026; Oct-Dec 2026)
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Motor Vehicle Titling and Registration (incl. New Resident requirements)
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Form 5113 Customer Fee Schedule (Revised 10-2026)
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Buying a Vehicle
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Motor Vehicle Fees
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes: RSMo 144.025 Trade-in or rebate
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Dealers & Lienholders (Maximum Dealer Administrative Fees)
FAQ
How much is the sales tax on a car in Missouri?
Missouri state sales tax; plus a local rate of 1% to 7.263% by where you live. On a $30,000 used car from a dealer that is $1,567.50–$3,446.40 in tax (estimate).
Does Missouri charge tax on the price minus the trade-in?
Trade-in allowance and rebates are deducted. The same allowance applies if you SELL a vehicle privately and buy another within 180 days before or after (bring the bill of sale); only one sold vehicle counts per purchase. An insurance total-loss payout plus deductible can also be deducted if you buy a replacement within 180 days.
Do you pay sales tax on a private car sale in Missouri?
Private-party purchases are taxed at the same state + local rates on the purchase price less any trade-in/sale allowance; tax is paid at the license office when titling.
What if I buy a car in another state and register it in Missouri?
Tax paid to another state is credited; you pay only the difference if Missouri's state + local tax is higher. Use the 'NON-MISSOURI DEALER' local rate. Proof of an out-of-state trade-in is required for the trade-in credit.
Is there a cap on dealer doc fees in Missouri?
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. Missouri sets a maximum documentary fee of $620.79. Maximum dealer administrative (doc) fee for 2026 (indexed to CPI each year, effective February 1). It must be charged to all retail customers equally and listed separately on the buyer's order.