AutoTaxCalculatorHow much is Missouri sales tax on a car?
Missouri sales tax on a car is 4.225% state tax plus your local sales tax, on the purchase price minus your trade-in. The local part comes from where you live, not where you bought the car, so the total usually lands somewhere around 6% to 10%.
Because the local rate depends on your address, two Missouri buyers paying the same price for the same car can owe very different amounts. A buyer in a city with several local taxes stacked together can pay twice the local tax of a buyer in a rural county. That's why the calculator asks for your own local rate rather than guessing.
Missouri sales tax for cars, by price
Missouri's 4.225% state rate is the same everywhere. Your city, county and district taxes, which can add several points, make the difference. Here's the total sales tax on a car in Missouri after trade-in at three combined local rates, so you can estimate sales tax on a car in Missouri before you look up your exact address.
| Taxable price | 4.225% + 3% local | 4.225% + 4% local | 4.225% + 5% local |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $1,083.75 | $1,233.75 | $1,383.75 |
| $25,000 | $1,806.25 | $2,056.25 | $2,306.25 |
| $35,000 | $2,528.75 | $2,878.75 | $3,228.75 |
Every percentage point of local tax adds $10 per $1,000 of taxable price, which is why it's worth entering your exact rate. That's the one input that makes an MO sales tax on cars calculator accurate.
How to calculate sales tax on a vehicle in Missouri
To calculate Missouri sales tax on a car yourself, follow the same steps the license office uses.
- Taxable amount = purchase price − trade-in allowance.
- State tax = taxable amount × 4.225%.
- Local tax = taxable amount × the combined city, county and district rate for your home address.
- Add the title fees ($8.50 title fee + $9 title processing fee) and your registration fees.
Example: $25,000 car, $5,000 trade-in, 4% local rate
- Taxable amount: $25,000 − $5,000 = $20,000
- State: $20,000 × 4.225% = $845.00
- Local: $20,000 × 4% = $800.00
- Sales tax: $1,645.00, plus $17.50 in title fees = $1,662.50 before plates
Example: same car, titled 75 days after purchase
- Days late: 75 − 30 = 45 days past the deadline
- Penalty: $25 on day 31, plus $25 more at day 61 = $50.00
- Total at the office: $1,712.50 before plates
Which local rate applies
Missouri's local vehicle sales tax follows the buyer's home. The rate is the combined city, county and special district rate where you live. A car bought in St. Louis by someone living in a rural county is taxed at the rural county's rate. The Department of Revenue publishes a motor vehicle local sales tax chart that lists the rates by city and county. Use it to look up your rate before you visit the license office.
You pay at the license office, not the dealer
Missouri is one of the few states where dealers don't collect sales tax on vehicles. The dealer gives you the title (or the manufacturer's statement of origin) and a temporary permit. You then title the car at a Department of Revenue license office and pay the state and local tax there.
You have 30 days from the purchase date. Miss it and a title penalty starts:
| When you title the vehicle | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Within 30 days | $0 |
| Day 31 to 60 | $25 |
| Day 61 to 90 | $50 |
| Each further 30 days | +$25 |
| Maximum | $200 |
Missouri title and registration fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $8.50 |
| Title processing fee | $9.00 |
| Registration processing fee (1-year / 2-year) | $9.00 / $18.00 |
| Plate transfer fee + processing (if moving plates from your old car) | $2.00 + $9.00 |
| Temporary permit (+ processing at a license office) | $5.00 + $9.00 |
The registration fee itself depends on the vehicle, so it isn't included in the calculator. The license office adds it when you get plates.
What to bring to the license office
- The title signed over to you (or the manufacturer's statement of origin for a new car)
- A signed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108)
- A safety inspection no more than 60 days old (90 days if you bought from a Missouri dealer). Vehicles under eleven years old with under 150,000 miles are exempt.
- Proof of insurance
- For new plates: your personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment
- An emissions inspection if you live in St. Louis City or Jefferson, St. Charles or St. Louis County
Buying a car out of state
If you live in Missouri, you pay Missouri tax when you title the car here, even if you bought it in Kansas or Illinois. With an out-of-state dealer and a trade-in, bring proof of the trade-in to get the credit: a copy of the front of the trade-in title, a Form 108 signed by the dealer, or an invoice on dealer letterhead showing the trade-in amount. If the out-of-state title doesn't show the taxes you paid, you'll also need a tax receipt from that state.
Personal property tax on your car
Sales tax is a one-time charge. Missouri also has a yearly personal property tax on vehicles, assessed by your county. That's why the license office asks for a paid property tax receipt (or a statement of non-assessment) when you renew plates. Budget for it on top of the sales tax in the years after you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Missouri sales tax on a car?
4.225% state tax plus the local rate for your home address, on the price minus your trade-in. Most Missouri buyers end up between about 6% and 10% in total.
What is sales tax in Missouri for cars bought from a private seller?
The same state and local rates apply. You pay them at the license office when you title the car, within 30 days of the purchase.
Do Missouri car dealers collect sales tax?
No. You pay it at a Department of Revenue license office when you title the vehicle.
What happens if I title my car after 30 days?
A $25 penalty applies on the 31st day and grows by $25 every 30 days, up to $200.
Can I pay Missouri car sales tax with a credit card?
Yes. License offices accept cash, checks, money orders and major cards. Cards add a convenience fee of 2.0% + $0.25 per transaction.
Does Missouri charge sales tax on the trade-in?
No. The trade-in allowance is subtracted from the price first, so you only pay tax on the difference.
Sources
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Buying a vehicle (tax rate, 30-day deadline, penalties, fees, documents)
- Missouri DOR: Motor vehicle local sales tax rate chart
This calculator gives an estimate. The license office calculates the final amount. How we calculate