Louisiana car sales tax calculator
The state and local sales tax in Louisiana is the state’s 5.00% plus a local rate that depends on the place, of the taxable amount.
dam.ldr.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 3, 2026 · Page changed Oct 30, 2026
Where will you register the car?
Elsewhere in Orleans Parish, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, Louisiana. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $609.49a month | $41,569.31+$781.99 more than Deal C | |
| $550.27a month | $44,619.05+$3,831.73 more than Deal C | |
| $596.45a month | $40,787.32Lowest |
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Your numbers stay in this browser.
$609.49 a month · 60 payments
All-in $41,569.31
$550.27 a month · 72 payments
All-in $44,619.05
$596.45 a month · 60 payments
All-in $40,787.32Lowest
Out-the-door $36,602.10
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $37,366.60
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $37,057.10
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Gas · change
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay a yearly road usage fee in Louisiana
Gas · change
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay a yearly road usage fee in Louisiana
New · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay a yearly road usage fee in Louisiana
$436.00: the most Louisiana law allows (“The base maximum amount permitted to be charged shall be four hundred twenty-five dollars.”).
Louisiana calls it a documentary fee.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The notice Louisiana requires with this fee
This fee is authorized by R.S. 6:969.18(A)(2). It is not a mandatory state fee.
$436.00: the most Louisiana law allows (“The base maximum amount permitted to be charged shall be four hundred twenty-five dollars.”).
Louisiana calls it a documentary fee.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The notice Louisiana requires with this fee
This fee is authorized by R.S. 6:969.18(A)(2). It is not a mandatory state fee.
$436.00: the most Louisiana law allows (“The base maximum amount permitted to be charged shall be four hundred twenty-five dollars.”).
Louisiana calls it a documentary fee.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The notice Louisiana requires with this fee
This fee is authorized by R.S. 6:969.18(A)(2). It is not a mandatory state fee.
taxes.mfn.dps.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 · figures pulled Nov 11, 2026
taxes.mfn.dps.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 · figures pulled Nov 11, 2026
taxes.mfn.dps.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 · figures pulled Nov 11, 2026
- No separate plate fee: the plate comes with the license tax.
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No parish or city title or registration fee.
expresslane.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on a private car.
dam.ldr.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No minimum or maximum tax, and no cap on the local tax.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: the plate comes with the license tax.
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No parish or city title or registration fee.
expresslane.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on a private car.
dam.ldr.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No minimum or maximum tax, and no cap on the local tax.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: the plate comes with the license tax.
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No parish or city title or registration fee.
expresslane.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on a private car.
dam.ldr.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No minimum or maximum tax, and no cap on the local tax.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,902.10 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,097.90 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,971.60 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,028.40 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,807.10 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,192.90 goes toward the price.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
60 payments, last $609.40
72 payments, last $549.88
60 payments, last $596.77
cash down plus every payment
+$781.99 more all-in than Deal C
cash down plus every payment
+$3,831.73 more all-in than Deal C
cash down plus every payment
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Safety inspection sticker: $10.00 · due at an inspection station, for each year the sticker is valid (one or two years)
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Safety inspection sticker: $10.00 · due at an inspection station, for each year the sticker is valid (one or two years)
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Safety inspection sticker: $10.00 · due at an inspection station, for each year the sticker is valid (one or two years)
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
7 charges this total leaves out
7 charges this total leaves out
7 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in Louisiana
Louisiana calls it the state and local sales tax.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed.
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed.
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
Louisiana’s law sets a maximum for the documentary fee of $436.00 (its words: “The base maximum amount permitted to be charged shall be four hundred twenty-five dollars.”).
lmvc.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The license tax, which covers registration and the plate, is worked from the car’s value: $10 a year on the first $10,000 plus $1 for each $1,000 above that, paid two years in advance.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Worked examples
Each line below is worked by the same engine as the calculator, on the day this page was built (Nov 11, 2026).
A new car with a trade-in and negative equity
A new car at $32,700.00, with a trade-in allowed at $10,000.00 and $13,000.00 still owed, $5,000.00 down, financed at 5.90% for 60 months, bought from a dealer and registered in Louisiana’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $32,700.00 |
| Trade-in allowance | $10,000.00 |
| Still owed on the trade-in | $13,000.00 |
| Equity (negative if you owe more than it is worth) | −$3,000.00 |
| Taxable amount legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $23,136.00 |
| Louisiana state sales tax dam.ldr.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,156.80 |
| Local sales tax (parish and city) taxes.mfn.dps.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,156.80 |
| Doc fee legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $436.00 |
| Title fee legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $68.50 |
| OMV handling fee legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $8.00 |
| License tax (registration and plate) legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $66.00 |
| Lien recording fee public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $10.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $35,602.10 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $33,602.10 |
| Monthly payment | $648.06 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,281.59 |
| Total paid, interest included | $43,883.69 |
A used car from a dealer
A used car, model year 2022, at $21,500.00, $5,000.00 down, financed at 5.90% for 60 months, bought from a dealer and registered in Louisiana’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Taxable amount legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $21,936.00 |
| Louisiana state sales tax dam.ldr.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,096.80 |
| Local sales tax (parish and city) taxes.mfn.dps.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,096.80 |
| Doc fee legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $436.00 |
| Title fee legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $68.50 |
| OMV handling fee legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $8.00 |
| License tax (registration and plate) legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $44.00 |
| Lien recording fee public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $10.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $24,260.10 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $19,260.10 |
| Monthly payment | $371.46 |
| Interest over the loan | $3,027.22 |
| Total paid, interest included | $27,287.32 |
The rules in Louisiana
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | state and local sales tax legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Louisiana state sales tax | 5.00% of the taxable amount dam.ldr.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Local sales tax (parish and city) | a local rate set by the buyer’s place, on the taxable amount taxes.mfn.dps.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| What is taxed | Taxed: the vehicle price, the doc fee, other dealer fees on the order, accessories fitted before delivery, protection packages, loose items sold with the car and prepaid maintenance. Not taxed: service contracts, GAP and government fees. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Trade-in | A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed. public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate lowers the amount taxed. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount lowers the amount taxed. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets a maximum for the documentary fee of $436.00 (its words: “The base maximum amount permitted to be charged shall be four hundred twenty-five dollars.”). lmvc.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Title fee | $68.50 legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| OMV handling fee | $8.00. A detail of that point is not confirmed. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| License tax (registration and plate) | worked from the rule a year legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | Yes. The state’s 5% plus the buyer’s local rate on the selling price, paid by the buyer at the Office of Motor Vehicles or a public tag agent. No trade-in credit. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | A credit rate for rate, not dollar for dollar, only if the other state gives Louisiana a similar credit. State and local credits are applied together. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| New resident | State and local use tax of no more than $90 in all, if the car was registered to the new resident elsewhere, is for personal use and is registered within 90 days. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Electric and hybrid vehicle fees | A road usage fee of $110 a year for an electric car and $60 for a hybrid. Nothing extra for a gas car. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Finance rate ceiling | A dealer credit sale may carry up to 18% a year on a new car of the current model year, 24% on a new older model or a used car up to 2 model years old, 27% on a used car 3 to 4 years old and 33% on an older one. A contract may instead use the consumer-loan maximum rate. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Interest rate markup | No limit on a dealer’s markup of the finance rate was found in the sections of the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act read. That finding is not confirmed. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| State rate from 2030 | The state rate falls from 5.00% to 4.75% on January 1, 2030. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
What has changed
· Tax lines: a new version takes effect.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
· Watching: The state rate falls from 5% to 4.75% unless the Legislature extends the temporary 0.55%, 2030-01-01 under R.S. 47:321.1; the 4.75% is already loaded from that date.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
· Watching: The 2027 maximum doc fee (at most $449), Calculated by February 1, 2027 and published by the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission; it applies to calendar 2027.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
How much is the sales tax on a car in Louisiana, state and local?
There are two parts. The state’s part is 5%. The local part is the parish’s and any city’s or district’s taxes together, and it is added on top. In New Orleans, Orleans Parish adds 5.00%, so the combined rate is 10.00%. The local rate is the one where the buyer lives, not where the dealer is. The Office of Motor Vehicles keeps a table of 469 tax areas across 64 parishes, and a local rate can change on the first of any month. Both parts are on the price with destination and dealer-installed accessories, less a trade-in. The dealer collects both from the buyer and sends them in with the title file. The tax is due by the 40th day after the sale. The state’s 5% runs through December 31, 2029, and falls to 4.75% on January 1, 2030.
dam.ldr.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
taxes.mfn.dps.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
taxes.mfn.dps.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is the Louisiana dealer doc fee capped?
Yes. Louisiana law sets a maximum documentary fee, and for 2026 it is $436. The statute’s base is $425. Each January the cap becomes the lesser of $425 raised by consumer prices since 2024, or the prior year’s cap plus 3%, rounded to the whole dollar. It does not fall if prices fall. The state sends the new figure to the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission by February 1, and the Commission publishes it. The 2027 cap can be at most $449. The bill of sale, buyer’s order or contract must show the amount in conspicuous type, with the words: “This fee is authorized by R.S. 6:969.18(A)(2). It is not a mandatory state fee.” We treat the fee as taxed, as part of the price the car is sold for. No state statement on that was found, so it is not confirmed.
lmvc.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
lmvc.la.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026
Do a trade-in and a rebate lower Louisiana sales tax on a car?
A trade-in does, at its full value, on a new or used car bought from a dealer, with one limit: the credit cannot be more than the price of the car you are buying. On a $30,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in, the tax is on $20,000. The trade-in’s value must be agreed by delivery. If you owe more than the trade-in is worth, the payoff is not taxed. No official statement on that was found; it is our reading of the rule. A maker’s or dealer’s rebate lowers the tax on a new car only, not on a used one. A dealer’s cash discount is not taxed.
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
What is Louisiana's license tax on a car?
It is Louisiana’s registration charge, and it includes the plate. For a private passenger car or SUV it is $10 a year on the first $10,000 of value plus $1 a year for each $1,000 above that, paid two years in advance. Half of $1,000 or more rounds up to the next $1,000; less than half is dropped. The value is the gross price on the invoice before a trade-in, discount or rebate comes off, or the NADA full loan value if that is higher. It stays fixed until the car changes hands. A $32,700 car pays $66 for the two years. A new plate is issued each time a car changes owner. With it come the $68.50 title, an $8 handling charge and a $10 lien fee when the car is financed. Whether a second $8 applies to the lien in the same visit is not confirmed.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is a private car sale taxed in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana taxes isolated or occasional sales of vehicles. The buyer pays the state’s 5% plus the local rate where the buyer lives, on the selling price shown on the title or bill of sale, at the Office of Motor Vehicles or a public tag agent, within 40 days. We found no book-value floor for the sales tax on a private sale. There is no trade-in credit on a private sale. The license tax still uses the higher of the price or the NADA full loan value.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
public.powerdms.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
I bought a car out of state. What do I pay in Louisiana?
A Louisiana resident who buys elsewhere pays Louisiana state and local use tax at the rate where they live, at the Office of Motor Vehicles, by the 30th day after the car first enters the state. The credit for tax paid to the other state is rate for rate, not dollar for dollar, and only if that state gives Louisiana the same credit. Ad valorem tax paid elsewhere earns no credit. A new resident whose car was already registered to them elsewhere, for personal use, pays no more than $90 in state and local use tax if they register within 90 days. After 90 days, use tax is due on the lowest of the J.D. Power average trade-in value, the original invoice or a dealer’s trade evaluation. Whether a nonresident who buys from a Louisiana dealer owes the tax is not confirmed.
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dam.ldr.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026