Missouri car sales tax calculator
The motor vehicle sales tax in Missouri is the state’s 4.225% plus a local rate that depends on the place, of the taxable amount.
sos.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 2, 2026 · Page changed Oct 11, 2026
Where will you register the car?
Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, Missouri. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $604.98a month | $41,298.48+$773.90 more than Deal C | |
| $543.88a month | $44,159.79+$3,635.21 more than Deal C | |
| $592.08a month | $40,524.58Lowest |
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.
$604.98 a month · 60 payments
All-in $41,298.48
$543.88 a month · 72 payments
All-in $44,159.79
$592.08 a month · 60 payments
All-in $40,524.58Lowest
Out-the-door $36,368.08
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $36,991.28
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $36,832.82
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
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 more in some states
Taxable horsepower (hundredths)
The research’s test engine: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, 19.42 taxable horsepower, in the 12 to 23 class
Plate
Assumes a new plate. Moving one from a car you own costs about $19 less
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 more in some states
Taxable horsepower (hundredths)
The research’s test engine: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, 19.42 taxable horsepower, in the 12 to 23 class
Plate
Assumes a new plate. Moving one from a car you own costs about $19 less
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 more in some states
Taxable horsepower (hundredths)
The research’s test engine: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, 19.42 taxable horsepower, in the 12 to 23 class
Plate
Assumes a new plate. Moving one from a car you own costs about $19 less
$620.79: the most Missouri law allows (“The maximum administrative fee permitted”).
Missouri calls it a administrative fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
The notice Missouri requires with this fee
AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE AND IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW BUT MAY BE CHARGED BY A DEALER. THIS ADMINISTRATIVE FEE MAY RESULT IN A PROFIT TO DEALER. NO PORTION OF THIS ADMINISTRATIVE FEE IS FOR THE DRAFTING, PREPARATION, OR COMPLETION OF DOCUMENTS OR THE PROVIDING OF LEGAL ADVICE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY LAW.
$620.79: the most Missouri law allows (“The maximum administrative fee permitted”).
Missouri calls it a administrative fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
The notice Missouri requires with this fee
AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE AND IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW BUT MAY BE CHARGED BY A DEALER. THIS ADMINISTRATIVE FEE MAY RESULT IN A PROFIT TO DEALER. NO PORTION OF THIS ADMINISTRATIVE FEE IS FOR THE DRAFTING, PREPARATION, OR COMPLETION OF DOCUMENTS OR THE PROVIDING OF LEGAL ADVICE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY LAW.
$620.79: the most Missouri law allows (“The maximum administrative fee permitted”).
Missouri calls it a administrative fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
The notice Missouri requires with this fee
AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE AND IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW BUT MAY BE CHARGED BY A DEALER. THIS ADMINISTRATIVE FEE MAY RESULT IN A PROFIT TO DEALER. NO PORTION OF THIS ADMINISTRATIVE FEE IS FOR THE DRAFTING, PREPARATION, OR COMPLETION OF DOCUMENTS OR THE PROVIDING OF LEGAL ADVICE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY LAW.
- No county or city fee is collected when you title the car.
dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No separate fee for standard license plates.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No dealer paperwork fee is allowed besides the administrative fee.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No limit on the trade-in credit.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- A hybrid car that does not plug in pays no alternative fuel decal.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No county or city fee is collected when you title the car.
dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No separate fee for standard license plates.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No dealer paperwork fee is allowed besides the administrative fee.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No limit on the trade-in credit.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- A hybrid car that does not plug in pays no alternative fuel decal.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No county or city fee is collected when you title the car.
dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No separate fee for standard license plates.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No dealer paperwork fee is allowed besides the administrative fee.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- No limit on the trade-in credit.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
- A hybrid car that does not plug in pays no alternative fuel decal.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,668.08 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,331.92 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,596.28 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,403.72 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $3,582.82 in tax, fees and the doc fee first; $1,417.18 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 $604.66
72 payments, last $544.31
60 payments, last $591.86
cash down plus every payment
+$773.90 more all-in than Deal C
cash down plus every payment
+$3,635.21 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.
2 charges this total leaves out
2 charges this total leaves out
2 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in Missouri
Missouri calls it the motor vehicle sales tax.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Missouri’s law sets a maximum for the administrative fee of $620.79 (its words: “The maximum administrative fee permitted”).
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Selling a car of your own earns a credit against the tax on the one you buy, if the two are within 180 days of each other, before or after.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 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 Missouri’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 revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $23,320.79 |
| State sales tax sos.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $985.30 |
| Local sales tax dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $1,107.74 |
| Doc fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $620.79 |
| Title fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $8.50 |
| Title processing fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Registration, by taxable horsepower dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $21.25 |
| Registration processing fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Notice of lien processing fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $35,470.58 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $33,470.58 |
| Monthly payment | $645.52 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,260.95 |
| Total paid, interest included | $43,731.53 |
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 Missouri’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Taxable amount revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $22,120.79 |
| State sales tax sos.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $934.60 |
| Local sales tax dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $1,050.74 |
| Doc fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $620.79 |
| Title fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $8.50 |
| Title processing fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Registration, by taxable horsepower dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $21.25 |
| Registration processing fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Notice of lien processing fee revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $24,162.88 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $19,162.88 |
| Monthly payment | $369.58 |
| Interest over the loan | $3,012.03 |
| Total paid, interest included | $27,174.91 |
The rules in Missouri
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | motor vehicle sales tax revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| State sales tax | 4.225% of the taxable amount sos.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Local sales tax | a local rate set by the buyer’s place, on the taxable amount dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| What is taxed | Taxed: the vehicle price, the doc fee, other dealer fees on the order, accessories fitted before delivery and loose items sold with the car. Not taxed: protection packages, service contracts, GAP, prepaid maintenance and government fees. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Trade-in | A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate lowers the amount taxed. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount lowers the amount taxed. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets a maximum for the administrative fee of $620.79 (its words: “The maximum administrative fee permitted”). revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Title fee | $8.50 revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Title processing fee | $9.00 revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Registration, by taxable horsepower | worked from the rule a year dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Registration, electric vehicle | $21.25 a year revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Registration processing fee | $9.00 a year revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Where the tax is paid | By the buyer, to the Department of Revenue at a contract license office when applying for the title, within 30 days. The dealer does not collect it today. sos.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Private-party price | The price on the bill of sale, or an appraisal by the director of revenue if the price is unknown or the evidence of it is not satisfactory. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | A credit for sales or use tax already paid on the vehicle in another state, with proof. The buyer pays the difference if Missouri’s tax is higher. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| New resident | No tax if the vehicle was registered and regularly operated in another state at least 90 days before it is registered in Missouri. The title is due within 30 days of becoming a resident. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Late title penalty | $25 for the first 30 days of delinquency and $25 for each 30 days after that, up to $200. The director may waive it for good cause. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Interest rate markup | No Missouri limit was found: the seller may charge any time price differential the buyer agrees to. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 |
What has changed
· Watching: Dealers start collecting the motor vehicle sales tax, and tax must be paid before a temporary plate is issued, in February 2027, per the Department of Revenue’s FUSION dealer newsletter.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
Is Missouri car sales tax based on my home address?
Yes. Missouri charges the rate in effect at the owner’s address, not at the dealer’s location, on the day the title application is submitted. The tax is the state’s 4.225% plus the local sales taxes at that address. Local rates can change on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, and the Department of Revenue has an address-based vehicle tax calculator and a quarterly chart.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
sos.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Where and when do I pay Missouri car sales tax?
You pay it yourself, to the Department of Revenue, at a contract license office when you apply for the title, within 30 days of buying the car. The dealer does not collect it today. A 2023 law (RSMo 144.070.11) will have dealers collect it once the Department’s modernized system exists. The Department’s newsletter says February 2027, but the go-live date is not fixed. A late title application costs $25 for the first 30 days and $25 for each 30 days after that, up to $200.
sos.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Is the Missouri dealer administrative fee capped?
Yes. The state sets the most a dealer may charge as an administrative fee: $620.79 for 2026, up from $604.47 in 2025, a rise of 2.7%. The limit grows each year by the change in the consumer price index, or by zero, whichever is greater, and the new figure takes effect on February 1. The dealer must charge the same fee to all retail customers, with a narrow exception for franchise agreements, as its own line on the buyer’s order, with a notice that it is not an official fee and may result in a profit to the dealer.
dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Does selling my old car myself lower my Missouri tax?
It can. Missouri gives a credit if you buy a vehicle within 180 days before or after the day you sell one or more vehicles you owned, and the car you sold does not have to be like the one you buy. You show all the bills of sale, or Notice of Sale Form 5049, when you title the car. If you have already paid the tax in full, a refund is available. A trade-in allowance, by contrast, applies only to a deal with a dealer.
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
How is a private-party car sale taxed in Missouri?
The buyer pays at a license office when titling, within 30 days of buying the car: the state’s 4.225% plus the local sales taxes at the buyer’s address. The tax is figured on the price in the bill of sale. If the price is unknown or the director of revenue is not satisfied with the evidence of it, the director sets it by appraisal. A trade-in allowance does not apply to a private purchase, but the 180-day credit for selling your own car does.
sos.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026