Massachusetts car sales tax calculator
The motor vehicle sales tax in Massachusetts is 6.25% of the taxable amount.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 3, 2026 · Page changed Oct 30, 2026
Where will you register the car?
Massachusetts
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, Massachusetts. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $576.25a month | $39,575.09so far | |
| $520.52a month | $42,477.75so far | |
| $563.51a month | $38,810.69so far |
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.
$576.25 a month · 60 payments
All-in $39,575.09 so far
$520.52 a month · 72 payments
All-in $42,477.75 so far
$563.51 a month · 60 payments
All-in $38,810.69 so far
Out-the-door $34,878.75 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $35,617.19 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $35,369.38 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
New · 2026 · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current or next model year
Sticker price (MSRP)
The research’s test car: the 2026 Tucson SEL FWD’s list price without the $1,400 destination. The excise is worked from it
New · 2026 · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current or next model year
Sticker price (MSRP)
The research’s test car: the 2026 Tucson SEL FWD’s list price without the $1,400 destination. The excise is worked from it
New · 2026 · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current or next model year
Sticker price (MSRP)
The research’s test car: the 2026 Tucson SEL FWD’s list price without the $1,400 destination. The excise is worked from it
Massachusetts law sets no figure for this fee.
Massachusetts calls it a documentary preparation charge.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Massachusetts law sets no figure for this fee.
Massachusetts calls it a documentary preparation charge.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Massachusetts law sets no figure for this fee.
Massachusetts calls it a documentary preparation charge.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No city, town or county sales tax on a car in Massachusetts.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No county fees at purchase.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: new plates come with the registration.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No fee to record a lien on a new title: the lender goes on the application.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No extra registration fee for an electric car.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No other fee at purchase beyond the title and registration.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No minimum or maximum tax on a car.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No city, town or county sales tax on a car in Massachusetts.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No county fees at purchase.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: new plates come with the registration.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No fee to record a lien on a new title: the lender goes on the application.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No extra registration fee for an electric car.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No other fee at purchase beyond the title and registration.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No minimum or maximum tax on a car.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No city, town or county sales tax on a car in Massachusetts.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No county fees at purchase.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: new plates come with the registration.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No fee to record a lien on a new title: the lender goes on the application.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No extra registration fee for an electric car.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No other fee at purchase beyond the title and registration.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No minimum or maximum tax on a car.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $2,178.75 in tax and fees first; $2,821.25 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $2,222.19 in tax and fees first; $2,777.81 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $2,119.38 in tax and fees first; $2,880.62 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 $576.34
72 payments, last $520.83
60 payments, last $563.60
cash down plus every payment
cash down plus every payment
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.
Motor vehicle excise: $117.38 · due within 30 days of the bill your city or town sends, then each year · about
First bill, for 2 months; then $704.25 a year
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Vehicle inspection: $35.00 · due within 7 days of registering, then each year
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Motor vehicle excise: $117.38 · due within 30 days of the bill your city or town sends, then each year · about
First bill, for 2 months; then $704.25 a year
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Vehicle inspection: $35.00 · due within 7 days of registering, then each year
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Motor vehicle excise: $117.38 · due within 30 days of the bill your city or town sends, then each year · about
First bill, for 2 months; then $704.25 a year
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Vehicle inspection: $35.00 · due within 7 days of registering, then each year
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
2 charges this total leaves out
2 charges this total leaves out
2 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in Massachusetts
Massachusetts calls it the motor vehicle sales tax.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Massachusetts’s law sets no figure for the documentary preparation charge. That point is not confirmed.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Every year after you buy, your city or town bills a motor vehicle excise of $25 per $1,000 of value, a share of the maker’s list price that falls with the car’s age. It is billed later, not paid at the dealer, and our figure for it is an estimate.
malegislature.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 Massachusetts’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 mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $22,700.00 |
| Massachusetts sales tax malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,418.75 |
| Certificate of title mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $75.00 |
| Registration (passenger, plates included) mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $60.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $34,253.75 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $32,253.75 |
| Monthly payment | $622.06 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,069.54 |
| Total paid, interest included | $42,323.29 |
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 Massachusetts’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Taxable amount mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $21,500.00 |
| Massachusetts sales tax malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,343.75 |
| Certificate of title mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $75.00 |
| Registration (passenger, plates included) mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $60.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $22,978.75 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $17,978.75 |
| Monthly payment | $346.74 |
| Interest over the loan | $2,825.96 |
| Total paid, interest included | $25,804.71 |
The rules in Massachusetts
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | motor vehicle sales tax mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Massachusetts sales tax | 6.25% of the taxable amount malegislature.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 and loose items sold with the car. Not taxed: service contracts, prepaid maintenance, GAP and government fees. mass.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. malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate lowers the amount taxed. mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount lowers the amount taxed. malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed. malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets no figure for the documentary preparation charge. That point is not confirmed. mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Certificate of title | $75.00 mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration (passenger, plates included) | $30.00 a year. A detail of that point is not confirmed. mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | Use tax of 6.25% on the greater of the price paid or the average trade-in value, adjusted for mileage. Condition is not considered. A salvage title uses the actual price. mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | A credit only where the other state allows a corresponding credit and the tax was legally due without refund. Where its rate is lower, you pay the difference. malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| New resident | No Massachusetts use tax if the car was used only outside Massachusetts for six months before it came in. Title, registration and the yearly excise still apply. mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Rebate paid to you later | If the rebate comes after the sale, the sales tax is on the full purchase price. mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Inspection | $35 for most cars, at an inspection station within 7 days of registration. It is paid to the station, after you buy. When the fee last changed is not confirmed. mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Electric and hybrid fees | None. An electric car’s registration is the same $60 for two years as any passenger car. mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Finance rate ceiling | A dealer’s finance charge on a new or used car may not exceed 21% APR, and it includes every charge for making the contract. The date the current wording took effect is not confirmed. malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
What has changed
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
How does Massachusetts tax a car?
Massachusetts charges its motor vehicle sales tax: 6.25% of the sales price, the same everywhere in the state. The rate has been 6.25% since August 1, 2009. A state regulation still says 5%; we follow the statute. The sales price is everything paid to the dealer for the car: the price, the destination charge, the doc fee and dealer-installed extras. A trade-in comes off it, and so does a maker’s rebate you assign to the dealer at the sale. A rebate mailed to you later does not lower the tax. The tax is paid with the Registration and Title Application, which must be filed within 10 days of buying. At a dealer, the dealer collects it at signing. Your city or town also bills a yearly motor vehicle excise later, a separate tax.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
What is the Massachusetts motor vehicle excise, and when is it billed?
It is a yearly tax of $25 per $1,000 of the car’s value, billed by the city or town where the car is usually kept. The bill is due 30 days after it is issued, and the smallest bill is $5. The value is not the price you paid. It is a share of the maker’s list price that falls with the car’s age: 50% in the year before the model year, 90% in the model year, then 60%, 40%, 25%, and 10% from the fifth year on. The first bill covers the month you register through December, so a car registered in the autumn pays for only part of the year. Our excise figure is an estimate, shown after you buy and not in the out-the-door price. It uses the list price without the destination charge; whether the Registry counts destination is not confirmed.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is there a limit on the Massachusetts dealer doc fee?
We found no dollar limit in Massachusetts law for the documentary preparation fee. That finding is not confirmed: it rests on finding no figure in the statutes or regulations. What the law does set is how the fee is shown. Every advertised price must include all charges that are necessary or usual before delivery, including documentary preparation. The Attorney General’s advisory of June 15, 2026 says listing the fee separately elsewhere in the ad, even prominently, does not comply. The fee is part of the price taxed, and it cannot include fees paid to the Registry or costs of preparing the financing. Separately, a dealer may charge no more than $5 a transaction for helping you get the title. Complaints go to the Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026
Does a trade-in lower Massachusetts sales tax?
Yes, at a dealer. The tax is only on the difference between the price of the car you buy and the amount allowed on the trade-in, with no dollar cap. The dealer must hold a Massachusetts vendor registration, the trade must be part of the same sale, and you must have paid tax on the trade-in before or been exempt. There is no trade-in reduction on a private sale, or from an out-of-state dealer with no Massachusetts registration. We treat negative equity rolled into the new loan as not taxed, because the law deducts the amount allowed, not your equity. That reading is not confirmed by the Department of Revenue.
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is a private car sale taxed in Massachusetts?
Yes. The buyer pays 6.25% use tax to the Registry at registration. It is figured on the greater of the price you paid or the car’s clean trade-in value in the NADA guide, adjusted for mileage. Condition is not considered. If there is no trade-in value, the Registry and the Department of Revenue use an agreed default value. A trade-in does not lower the tax on a private sale. A transfer within the family (parent, spouse, child or sibling) or a gift is exempt if the person giving the car paid Massachusetts tax on it.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
I bought a car out of state. What do I pay in Massachusetts?
A Massachusetts resident who brings a car in within 6 months for permanent use owes Massachusetts use tax, due by the 20th day of the following month. Sales tax paid to another state is credited only if that state allows a corresponding credit and the tax was legally due. If the other state’s rate is lower, you pay the difference. A New Hampshire purchase, with no sales tax, owes the full 6.25%. A New Hampshire dealer with no Massachusetts vendor registration gives no trade-in reduction. A new resident owes no use tax if the car was used outside Massachusetts for 6 months before coming in, but still pays the $75 title, the $60 registration and the excise from the month registered.
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
malegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026