Montana car sales tax and registration calculator
Montana charges no sales tax on a car.
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 3, 2026 · Page changed Oct 30, 2026
Where will you register the car?
Yellowstone County, Montana
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Yellowstone County, Montana. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $543.01a month | $37,580.29so far | |
| $490.48a month | $40,314.45so far | |
| $531.02a month | $36,861.35so 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.
$543.01 a month · 60 payments
All-in $37,580.29 so far
$490.48 a month · 72 payments
All-in $40,314.45 so far
$531.02 a month · 60 payments
All-in $36,861.35 so far
Out-the-door $33,154.94 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 $33,849.94 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 $33,704.94 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 · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current model year
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars pay a yearly fee by weight
Sticker price (MSRP)
The research’s test car: the 2026 Tucson SEL FWD’s MSRP without the $1,400 destination. The county option tax is worked from it
New · 2026 · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current model year
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars pay a yearly fee by weight
Sticker price (MSRP)
The research’s test car: the 2026 Tucson SEL FWD’s MSRP without the $1,400 destination. The county option tax is worked from it
New · 2026 · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current model year
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars pay a yearly fee by weight
Sticker price (MSRP)
The research’s test car: the 2026 Tucson SEL FWD’s MSRP without the $1,400 destination. The county option tax is worked from it
Montana law sets no figure for this fee.
Montana calls it a documentary fee.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Montana law sets no figure for this fee.
Montana calls it a documentary fee.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Montana law sets no figure for this fee.
Montana calls it a documentary fee.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No sales tax or vehicle excise on the price, so a trade-in, rebate or doc fee changes no tax.
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No safety or emissions inspection.
mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No dealer registration service fee in law: the dealer sends the paperwork, you pay at the County Treasurer.
mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No $5 insurance verification fee on an ordinary registration with new plates.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No sales tax or vehicle excise on the price, so a trade-in, rebate or doc fee changes no tax.
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No safety or emissions inspection.
mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No dealer registration service fee in law: the dealer sends the paperwork, you pay at the County Treasurer.
mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No $5 insurance verification fee on an ordinary registration with new plates.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No sales tax or vehicle excise on the price, so a trade-in, rebate or doc fee changes no tax.
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No safety or emissions inspection.
mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No dealer registration service fee in law: the dealer sends the paperwork, you pay at the County Treasurer.
mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No $5 insurance verification fee on an ordinary registration with new plates.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $454.94 in tax and fees first; $4,545.06 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $454.94 in tax and fees first; $4,545.06 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $454.94 in tax and fees first; $4,545.06 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 $542.70
72 payments, last $490.37
60 payments, last $531.17
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.
6 charges this total leaves out
6 charges this total leaves out
6 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in Montana
Montana calls it the local option motor vehicle tax.
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
A trade-in does not lower the amount taxed.
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Montana’s law sets no figure for the documentary fee. That point is not confirmed.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The only charge on a car’s value is the county option tax, in counties that have voted one in: a share of the depreciated MSRP, not the price, paid with every registration. Here it is an estimate, not a checked figure.
mca.legmt.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 Yellowstone County.
| 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 |
| Sale price (no sales tax is charged) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $0.00 |
| Montana sales tax (none) revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $0.00 |
| County option tax (on the MSRP less depreciation), an estimate mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $153.37 |
| Registration (light vehicle, 0 to 4 years old) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $217.00 |
| Certificate of title mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $12.00 |
| License plates, a new standard pair mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $12.00 |
| Montana Highway Patrol fee mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $10.00 |
| State parks fee (included unless you opt out) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Brain injury donation (included unless you opt out) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1.00 |
| Security interest (lien) filing mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $8.00 |
| Motor Vehicle Division administrative fee (3% of the state fees) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $8.07 |
| Temporary registration permit (40 days, from the dealer) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $24.50 |
| Out-the-door price | $33,154.94 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $31,154.94 |
| Monthly payment | $600.86 |
| Interest over the loan | $4,896.95 |
| Total paid, interest included | $41,051.89 |
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 Yellowstone County.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Sale price (no sales tax is charged) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $0.00 |
| Montana sales tax (none) revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $0.00 |
| Registration (light vehicle, 0 to 4 years old) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $217.00 |
| Certificate of title mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $12.00 |
| License plates, a new standard pair mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $12.00 |
| Montana Highway Patrol fee mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $10.00 |
| State parks fee (included unless you opt out) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $9.00 |
| Brain injury donation (included unless you opt out) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1.00 |
| Security interest (lien) filing mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $8.00 |
| Temporary registration permit (40 days, from the dealer) mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $24.50 |
| County option tax (on the MSRP less depreciation): needs the car’s sticker price (MSRP), which this example doesn’t give | Not included |
| Registration surcharge (MSRP over $150,000, up to 10 years old): needs the car’s sticker price (MSRP), which this example doesn’t give | Not included |
| Motor Vehicle Division administrative fee (3% of the state fees): needs the car’s sticker price (MSRP), which this example doesn’t give | Not included |
| Out-the-door price | $21,793.50 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $16,793.50 |
| Monthly payment | $323.89 |
| Interest over the loan | $2,639.57 |
| Total paid, interest included | $24,433.07 |
The rules in Montana
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | local option motor vehicle tax revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Montana sales tax (none) | 0.00% of the taxable amount revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| What is taxed | Not taxed: the vehicle price, the doc fee, service contracts, prepaid maintenance, GAP, other dealer fees on the order, accessories fitted before delivery, protection packages, loose items sold with the car and government fees. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Trade-in | A trade-in does not lower the amount taxed. revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate does not lower the amount taxed. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount does not lower the amount taxed. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets no figure for the documentary fee. That point is not confirmed. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration (light vehicle, 0 to 4 years old) | $217.00 a year mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration (light vehicle, 5 to 10 years old) | $87.00 a year mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration (light vehicle, 11 or more years old) | $28.00 a year mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration surcharge (MSRP over $150,000, up to 10 years old) | $825.00 a year mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Certificate of title | $12.00 mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Montana Highway Patrol fee | $10.00 a year mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| State parks fee (included unless you opt out) | $9.00 a year mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Brain injury donation (included unless you opt out) | $1.00 a year mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Motor Vehicle Division administrative fee (3% of the state fees) | worked from the rule. A detail of that point is not confirmed. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Temporary registration permit (40 days, from the dealer) | $24.50. A detail of that point is not confirmed. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| County option tax (an estimate) | Up to 0.7% of the depreciated MSRP, or a county flat fee instead, by county vote, paid with every registration to the county where you live. An estimate here, not a checked figure. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Counties with no figure | The Division’s fee estimator was run for six of the 56 counties. For the other 50 we have no figure; the calculator says so and leaves the tax out, which does not mean the county charges nothing. cars.dojmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | No tax. The buyer pays the same county fees as a dealer buyer, including new plates, at the County Treasurer. revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | No Montana tax to credit it against, and no credit for taxes or fees paid elsewhere. mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| New resident | Title and register within 60 days of establishing residency. The same fees apply; no tax on the car brought in. mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Electric and plug-in hybrid fees | An electric car pays $130 a year under 6,000 lb and $190 from 6,000 to 10,000 lb; a plug-in hybrid $70 and $100. Plain hybrids pay nothing extra. When these fees began is not confirmed. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Finance rate ceiling | A rate the seller and buyer agree, but no more than 36% a year on a retail installment contract. When the current limit took effect is not confirmed. mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
What has changed
· Watching: The title fee drops from $12 to $7 on 2028-07-01, MCA 61-3-203 as amended.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
· Watching: The 2027 legislative session may change the registration fees; a county may adopt or change its option tax by a vote, New laws usually take effect 2027-07-01 or 2027-10-01.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
Does Montana charge sales tax on a car?
No. Montana has no general sales tax and no state tax on a car’s price, whether you buy from a dealer or a private seller. So a trade-in, a rebate or the doc fee changes no tax. What you pay instead is paid at the County Treasurer of the county where you live, within 40 days of the purchase: registration by the car’s age, the title, plates, a few state fees and, in counties that have voted one in, a county option tax on the car’s value. The dealer collects only its own doc fee and the fee for the 40-day temporary permit, $24.50. Ten resort areas, such as Big Sky and Whitefish, levy a 3% resort tax on luxuries; whether it reaches a car sold there is not confirmed. Billings is not one of them.
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
What is Montana's county option tax on a car?
It is the local option motor vehicle tax, which the Motor Vehicle Division calls the county option tax. A county may charge it, after a vote, at up to 0.7% of the car’s depreciated MSRP, or a flat fee instead. It is paid with the registration every year, to the county where you live; where the dealer is doesn’t matter. The value is the MSRP for standard equipment, without options, times a percentage for the car’s type and age. For an SUV that is 98% at age 0, falling to 15% at 16, and the value is never less than $500. Here it is an estimate, not a checked figure. We estimate it from the MSRP without the destination charge, the SUV column for every car, and the county’s rate as the Division’s fee estimator showed it. No county publishes its rate. In Yellowstone County (Billings) the estimator showed 0.5%: $153.37 for a 2026 SUV with a $31,300 MSRP. Beaverhead, Blaine, Broadwater and Carbon counties also showed 0.5%, and Big Horn County showed none. For the other 50 counties we have no figure: the calculator says no figure was found and leaves the tax out of the total. That does not mean those counties charge nothing.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
cars.dojmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
What do registration and the other fees cost in Montana?
Registration is by the car’s age, the calendar year less the model year: $217 a year up to 4 years old, $87 from 5 to 10, and $28 from 11. A car with an MSRP over $150,000 that is 10 years old or less pays $825 more. Each January 1 a car ages a year, so a 2022 car pays $217 in 2026 and $87 in 2027. The title is $12 until June 30, 2028, then $7. A new set of standard plates is $12, and filing a lien $8. Each registration also pays the $10 Highway Patrol fee, a $9 state parks fee unless you opt out, and a $1 brain injury donation unless you opt out. The Motor Vehicle Division adds a 3% administrative fee to these state fees, but not to the county option tax. When that fee began, and whether it is added to the dealer’s temporary permit, is not confirmed. An electric car under 6,000 lb pays $130 a year more, and a plug-in hybrid $70.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is there a limit on the Montana dealer doc fee?
We found no dollar limit in Montana law. The research found no doc-fee section in the dealer statutes or the Retail Installment Sales Act, and no administrative rule, so Montana sets no amount and no disclosure rule for the fee. That is a finding of absence, so it is not confirmed. The Consumer Protection Act’s bar on unfair or deceptive acts still applies. Montana taxes nothing on the purchase price, so the fee is not taxed. In a financed sale, the contract must list the cash sale price, the down payment, the official fees and the amount financed. Complaints about a dealer can be mailed to the Motor Vehicle Division’s Vehicle Services Bureau. Its form says it looks only at alleged violations of the motor vehicle law, so it may not act on a doc fee alone.
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026
I bought a car out of state or from a private seller. What do I pay in Montana?
No Montana tax either way. A private sale is not taxed; you pay the same county fees as a dealer buyer, including registration, title, plates and the county option tax. Plates stay with the seller, so you buy new ones or move your own. From a dealer in another state, you owe no Montana tax, but that state may charge its own sales tax under its rules for nonresidents. Montana gives no credit for taxes or fees paid elsewhere. You title and register at your County Treasurer within 40 days. A new resident titles and registers within 60 days of establishing residency, pays the same fees, and pays no tax on the car brought in.
revenue.mt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026