Mississippi car sales tax and car tag calculator
The sales tax in Mississippi is 5.00% of the taxable amount.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 3, 2026 · Page changed Oct 30, 2026
Where will you register the car?
Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, Mississippi. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $596.04a month | $40,762.12+$648.28 more than Deal C | |
| $537.82a month | $43,722.76+$3,608.92 more than Deal C | |
| $585.23a month | $40,113.84Lowest |
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.
$596.04 a month · 60 payments
All-in $40,762.12
$537.82 a month · 72 payments
All-in $43,722.76
$585.23 a month · 60 payments
All-in $40,113.84Lowest
Out-the-door $35,904.60
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $36,634.35
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $36,482.10
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 MSRP without the $1,400 destination
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 MSRP without the $1,400 destination
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 MSRP without the $1,400 destination
$425.00: the most Mississippi law allows (“not exceed $425.00”).
Mississippi calls it a document/service fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The notice Mississippi requires with this fee
A DOCUMENT/SERVICE FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE AND IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, HOWEVER, IT MAY BE CHARGED TO A BUYER/LESSEE FOR THE PREPARATION, HANDLING AND PROCESSING OF DOCUMENTS AND THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES RELATED TO THE SALE OR LEASE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND MAY INCLUDE DEALER PROFIT. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY REGULATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION.
$425.00: the most Mississippi law allows (“not exceed $425.00”).
Mississippi calls it a document/service fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The notice Mississippi requires with this fee
A DOCUMENT/SERVICE FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE AND IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, HOWEVER, IT MAY BE CHARGED TO A BUYER/LESSEE FOR THE PREPARATION, HANDLING AND PROCESSING OF DOCUMENTS AND THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES RELATED TO THE SALE OR LEASE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND MAY INCLUDE DEALER PROFIT. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY REGULATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION.
$425.00: the most Mississippi law allows (“not exceed $425.00”).
Mississippi calls it a document/service fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The notice Mississippi requires with this fee
A DOCUMENT/SERVICE FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE AND IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, HOWEVER, IT MAY BE CHARGED TO A BUYER/LESSEE FOR THE PREPARATION, HANDLING AND PROCESSING OF DOCUMENTS AND THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES RELATED TO THE SALE OR LEASE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND MAY INCLUDE DEALER PROFIT. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY REGULATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION.
- No city or county sales tax on a car: Jackson’s 1% special tax doesn’t reach the 5% vehicle rate.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No emissions or safety inspection.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No temporary tag fee for a Mississippi resident: you drive on the copy of the title application.
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No city or county sales tax on a car: Jackson’s 1% special tax doesn’t reach the 5% vehicle rate.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No emissions or safety inspection.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No temporary tag fee for a Mississippi resident: you drive on the copy of the title application.
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No city or county sales tax on a car: Jackson’s 1% special tax doesn’t reach the 5% vehicle rate.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No emissions or safety inspection.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No temporary tag fee for a Mississippi resident: you drive on the copy of the title application.
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,204.60 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,795.40 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,239.35 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,760.65 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,232.10 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,767.90 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 $595.76
72 payments, last $537.54
60 payments, last $585.27
cash down plus every payment
+$648.28 more all-in than Deal C
cash down plus every payment
+$3,608.92 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.
5 charges this total leaves out
5 charges this total leaves out
5 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in Mississippi
Mississippi calls it the sales tax.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed.
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed.
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
Mississippi’s law sets a maximum for the document/service fee of $425.00 (its words: “not exceed $425.00”).
mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Every year the car tag includes a county ad valorem tax: 30% of the MSRP less depreciation, at your county, city and school district millage, less the tag credit. Here it is an estimate, and a full first year is assumed, not confirmed.
dor.ms.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 Mississippi’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 sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $23,125.00 |
| Mississippi sales tax (5% motor vehicle rate) dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,156.25 |
| Doc fee mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $425.00 |
| Title fee dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Designated agent’s title fee codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1.00 |
| Registration fee (first registration) dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $14.00 |
| Road and bridge privilege tax codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $15.00 |
| County ad valorem tax (car tag), less the tag credit, an estimate dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,084.35 |
| Out-the-door price | $35,404.60 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $33,404.60 |
| Monthly payment | $644.25 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,250.55 |
| Total paid, interest included | $43,655.15 |
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 Mississippi’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Taxable amount sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $21,925.00 |
| Mississippi sales tax (5% motor vehicle rate) dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,096.25 |
| Doc fee mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $425.00 |
| Title fee dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Designated agent’s title fee codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1.00 |
| Registration fee (first registration) dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $14.00 |
| Road and bridge privilege tax codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $15.00 |
| County ad valorem tax (car tag), less the tag credit: needs the car’s sticker price (MSRP), which this example doesn’t give | Not included |
| Out-the-door price | $23,060.25 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $18,060.25 |
| Monthly payment | $348.32 |
| Interest over the loan | $2,838.66 |
| Total paid, interest included | $25,898.91 |
The rules in Mississippi
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | sales tax dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Mississippi sales tax (5% motor vehicle rate) | 5.00% of the taxable amount dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Mississippi sales tax on other goods (7%) | 7.00% of the amount it taxes sos.ms.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 and protection packages. Not taxed: loose items sold with the car, service contracts, prepaid maintenance, GAP and government fees. sos.ms.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. sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate does not lower the amount taxed. sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount lowers the amount taxed. sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed. codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets a maximum for the document/service fee of $425.00 (its words: “not exceed $425.00”). mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Title fee | $9.00 dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Designated agent’s title fee | $1.00 codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration fee (first registration) | $14.00 a year dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Road and bridge privilege tax | $15.00 a year codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Ad valorem tax (car tag), an estimate | Assessed value is 30% of the MSRP less depreciation, times your county, city and school district millage, less the tag credit; paid every year with the tag. An estimate here. A full first year is assumed; no proration rule was found, so that is not confirmed. dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | A 5% casual sales tax on a car under 10 years old, paid to the county tax collector at registration. Sales between close family members are exempt. sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | No credit for sales or use tax paid elsewhere on a car brought into Mississippi for first use here. dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| New resident | No sales tax on a car titled in your name and first used in another state. Register within 30 days; the full tag is due, and a $250 penalty applies if late. dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Nonresident buyer | Exempt from sales tax if the car leaves Mississippi within 48 hours and is registered and first used in another state. sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Finance rate ceiling | 18% a year for a new car of the current or prior model year, 21% for other new cars and used cars up to 2 years old, 26.75% for used cars up to 4 years and 28.75% for older ones. codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Interest rate markup | No Mississippi limit on a dealer’s markup of the finance rate was found; only the overall finance-charge ceilings apply. codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
What has changed
· Watching: The Legislative Tag Credit for fiscal year 2028, which the tag takes off, Set by May 1, 2027, in force from July 1, 2027.
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
· Watching: The Department of Revenue’s motor vehicle assessment schedule for fiscal year 2028, Adopted by June 15, 2027.
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
How does Mississippi tax a car purchase?
Mississippi charges its sales tax at a 5% rate on cars and light trucks of 10,000 lb or less: a 3% base and an additional 2%. There is no city or county sales tax on the car. Jackson’s 1% special infrastructure tax reaches only sales taxed at 7% or more, so not the car. The tax is on the net price: the price with delivery charges and accessories attached at the sale, less dealer discounts and the trade-in. A manufacturer’s rebate is not deducted. Accessories that are not permanently attached pay the regular 7%. The dealer collects the tax. A service contract is not taxed, whether it is sold with the car or later. The yearly car tag is separate: the privilege tax, the registration fee and the county ad valorem tax, paid at the county tax collector.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
What is the Mississippi car tag, and how is its ad valorem tax worked out?
The car tag is what you pay the county tax collector each year, starting when you first register the car: the $15 road and bridge privilege tax, the $14 first registration fee, and the county ad valorem tax. The ad valorem tax is the biggest part. The assessed value is 30% of the MSRP, less depreciation for the car’s age; it is multiplied by the millage of your county, city and school district, and the Legislative Tag Credit comes off. A new car’s buyer brings the window sticker to show the MSRP. Here it is an estimate, not a checked figure. We estimate it from 30% of the MSRP before destination, the State Auditor’s depreciation table (10% in the first year to 90% in the tenth), the Department of Revenue’s 2024-2025 millage and a 6.5% tag credit. The depreciation table, the millage and the credit in force now are not confirmed, and no rule was found for prorating the first year, so we count a full year. In Jackson, inside the Jackson Public School District, the millage is 193.31 mills. After 10 years, a car’s true value is $100.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
osa.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is the Mississippi dealer doc fee capped?
Yes, for the dealers the Motor Vehicle Commission licenses. Its Regulation 8 says the document/service fee must “not exceed $425.00” and must be reasonable and based on the market price of the services rendered. It is itemized on its own line and charged to every buyer, cash or credit. Every document that shows it must carry a notice in bold capitals that begins: “A DOCUMENT/SERVICE FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE AND IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW”. The fee may not include the cost of the finance contract or of perfecting a lien. A dealer’s advertised price may leave the doc fee out. The Commission licenses franchised new-car dealers, so a used-only lot appears to be outside the cap; that is not confirmed. Complaints go to the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission, through its online form.
mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026
Do a trade-in and rebates lower Mississippi sales tax?
A trade-in does, in full, on new and used cars: the tax is on the difference between the price and the trade-in allowance, with no cap. The trade must be the same kind of property the dealer normally sells. A manufacturer’s rebate does not. It is taxed whether it is assigned to the dealer or paid to you: in the Department of Revenue’s example, a $25,000 car with a $1,000 rebate is taxed on $25,000. A rebate the dealer gives, shown on the invoice, is a discount and comes off. A manufacturer’s incentive paid to the dealer that doesn’t change your price is a cut in the dealer’s cost and is not taxed separately.
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
I bought a car out of state or from a private seller. What do I pay in Mississippi?
From an out-of-state dealer, you pay 5% use tax at the county tax collector when you register, unless the dealer is registered with the Department of Revenue and collected it. Mississippi gives no credit for sales tax paid to another state on a car brought in for first use here. From a private seller, a 5% casual sales tax is paid to the county tax collector when you register a car under 10 years old. It is on the Department of Revenue’s schedule value, not the price you paid. Sales between spouses, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and siblings are exempt. A new resident pays no Mississippi sales tax on a car already titled in their name and first used in another state, but pays the full tag. Register within 30 days, or a $250 penalty applies.
sos.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
What do title and registration cost in Mississippi, and when are they due?
The Department of Revenue says to register within 30 business days of the purchase; Hinds County’s page says 7 working days, so check with your county. The title is $9.00, and the designated agent who files it may add $1.00. We read a lien on the original title application as having no separate fee; that is not confirmed. The first registration fee is $14.00 ($12.75 on renewal), plus the $15.00 privilege tax and the ad valorem tax. Your old plate can’t move to the new car, but the unused part of its registration can be credited to the new one. An electric car or a hybrid pays an extra yearly fee that changes every July 1; the amounts in force now are not confirmed.
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dor.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026