Missouri Car Sales Tax Calculator
Determine exact Missouri motor vehicle sales tax, official DMV title and license fees (TTL), and dealer documentation fee caps under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.020 & § 301.558.
State Base Rate: Missouri assesses a 4.225% state sales tax (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.020). Local city and county taxes add between 1.50% and 5.00%, resulting in total combined tax rates ranging from 5.725% to 9.50% (e.g. St. Louis County 7.50% to 9.10%, Kansas City / Jackson County 8.35% to 8.85%).
Paid at License Office: In Missouri, dealerships do not collect vehicle sales tax at purchase (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.070). Buyers must pay sales tax directly to their local Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) license office within 30 days of purchase.
180-Day Trade-In Credit: Full credit applies under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.025. If you sell an existing car privately or trade it in within 180 days before or after buying your next vehicle, you can deduct that sale price from your taxable basis.
Dealer Doc Fee: Capped by statute at $620.79 for 2026 (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 301.558) and is taxable.
DMV Registration Fees: Assessed on a taxable horsepower scale (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 301.070), ranging from $18.25 to $51.25 per year plus a $14.50 title fee.
Vehicle & Tax Parameters
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Missouri Out-the-Door Purchase Scenarios (TTL Worked Out)
Comparing common vehicle purchase price tiers in Missouri at the 4.225% state base tax rate. Demonstrates statutory trade-in deductions, the $565.04 dealer doc fee (taxable in Missouri), and estimated DMV titling fees:
| Vehicle Tier | Agreed Price | Trade-In Allowance | Taxable Basis | Sales Tax (4.225%) | Doc Fee (Taxable) | DMV TTL | Total Out-the-Door Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Commuter | $15,000.00 | $0.00 | $15,565.04 | $657.62 | $565.04 | $35.00 | $16,257.66 |
| Mid-Size Sedan | $25,000.00 | -$4,000.00 | $21,565.04 | $911.12 | $565.04 | $45.00 | $22,521.16 |
| Standard Cross-Over (Default) | $30,000.00 | -$5,000.00 | $25,565.04 | $1,080.12 | $565.04 | $45.00 | $26,690.16 |
| Family SUV | $38,000.00 | -$6,000.00 | $32,565.04 | $1,375.87 | $565.04 | $55.00 | $33,995.91 |
| Full-Size Truck / Luxury | $55,000.00 | -$15,000.00 | $40,565.04 | $1,713.87 | $565.04 | $65.00 | $42,343.91 |
Math check: Taxable Basis = Vehicle Agreed Price minus Trade-In Allowance, plus the $565.04 dealer doc fee (taxable in Missouri). Missouri Sales Tax = Taxable Basis × 4.225%. Total Out-the-Door Due = (Agreed Price − Trade-In Allowance) + Sales Tax + Doc Fee + DMV TTL Fees. Note: Sales tax is remitted directly to the Missouri DOR license office, not collected by dealerships.
Missouri Motor Vehicle Tax Laws & Regulations
When purchasing a car in Missouri, understanding how your state assesses tax and regulates dealer fees ensures you never overpay at the dealership signing table. Primary legal authority is codified under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.020 & § 301.558.
1. Sales Tax Assessment & Surtaxes
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.020, Missouri levies a 4.225% state sales tax on motor vehicles (combining 3.00% general revenue, 1.00% Proposition C school tax, 0.125% conservation tax, and 0.10% parks/soils tax). In addition, cities and counties impose local sales taxes, bringing total combined tax rates to between 5.725% and 9.50% based on your residential address.
2. The 30-Day License Office Payment Rule
In Missouri, dealerships do not collect sales tax when you purchase a vehicle (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.070). Instead, buyers leave the dealership having paid only the net vehicle price and dealer fees. You must visit your local Missouri Department of Revenue license office within 30 calendar days of purchase to title the car and pay all state and local sales taxes. Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 301.190, failing to title within 30 days incurs a late penalty of $25 per 30 days delinquent (capped at $200).
3. Trade-In Tax Deduction & The 180-Day Rule
Missouri provides a full sales tax credit on vehicle trade-ins under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.025. In addition, Missouri offers a rare statutory benefit: the 180-day rule. If you sell an existing vehicle privately within 180 days before or after buying your next car, you can claim a sales tax credit equal to the sale price of the old car by filing Missouri DOR Form 426. Compare trade-in policies across all states using our national Trade-in Tax Calculator.
4. Dealer Documentation Fees & Ceilings
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 301.558, Missouri permits licensed dealerships to charge an administrative documentation fee. However, the fee is subject to a strict statutory cap adjusted annually by the Department of Revenue based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For 2026, the maximum allowable doc fee is $620.79. Dealer doc fees in Missouri are subject to sales tax under the Missouri DOR dealer taxability chart. Review fee ceilings across the country in our Dealer Doc Fees by State Directory.
5. Registration Fees on the Horsepower Scale
Unlike states with flat registration fees, Missouri passenger vehicle license plates are priced according to a statutory taxable horsepower scale under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 301.070:
- Under 12 HP: $18.25/year ($36.50 for 2-year plate)
- 12 HP to under 24 HP: $21.25/year ($42.50 for 2-year plate)
- 24 HP to under 36 HP: $24.25/year ($48.50 for 2-year plate)
- 36 HP to under 48 HP: $33.25/year ($66.50 for 2-year plate)
- 48 HP to under 60 HP: $39.25/year ($78.50 for 2-year plate)
- 60 HP to under 72 HP: $45.25/year ($90.50 for 2-year plate)
- 72 HP and over: $51.25/year ($102.50 for 2-year plate)
Standard titling fees include a $14.50 title fee and a $6.00 license office processing fee. Total DMV registration typically costs between $35.00 and $75.00 depending on vehicle horsepower.
Local DMV & County Fee Variations in Missouri
While state tax rates provide the baseline, local county surtaxes and DMV plate fees vary across Missouri jurisdictions:
| County / Metropolitan Area | Combined Vehicle Tax Rate | Typical Dealer Doc Fee | DMV Plate Fee Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County | 7.50% – 9.10% | $620.79 (Capped) | $18.25 – $51.25 HP scale |
| Jackson County (Kansas City) | 8.35% – 8.85% | $620.79 (Capped) | $18.25 – $51.25 HP scale |
| St. Charles County | 6.20% – 7.50% | $620.79 (Capped) | $18.25 – $51.25 HP scale |
| Greene County (Springfield) | 7.60% – 8.10% | $620.79 (Capped) | $18.25 – $51.25 HP scale |
| Clay County | 7.75% – 8.50% | $620.79 (Capped) | $18.25 – $51.25 HP scale |
| Boone County (Columbia) | 7.975% – 8.475% | $620.79 (Capped) | $18.25 – $51.25 HP scale |
| Jefferson County | 6.50% – 7.50% | $620.79 (Capped) | $18.25 – $51.25 HP scale |
| Jasper County (Joplin) | 7.725% – 8.475% | $620.79 (Capped) | $18.25 – $51.25 HP scale |
Cross-Border & Private-Party Buying Rules
If you purchase a vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, you pay motor vehicle sales tax to Missouri when titling the car in your home jurisdiction. Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.450, Missouri grants reciprocal credit for verified sales tax paid to another state up to the Missouri rate. Read our transactional guide on buying a car out of state to avoid paying duplicate sales tax.
For private-party transactions between individual buyers and sellers, review our guide on private party vs. dealer vehicle sales tax to understand state valuation rules and required bill of sale documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Missouri Car Sales Tax & TTL
What is the car sales tax rate in Missouri?
Missouri levies a 4.225% state motor vehicle sales tax under Missouri Revised Statutes § 144.020. Local cities and counties add municipal and county taxes, bringing total combined rates to between 5.725% and 9.50% depending on where the vehicle is registered.
Do Missouri car dealerships collect sales tax at the time of purchase?
No. In Missouri, dealerships do not collect motor vehicle sales tax at the dealership. Instead, the buyer must pay the state and local sales tax directly to their local Missouri Department of Revenue license office within 30 days of purchase when titling and registering the vehicle.
How does Missouri's 180-day trade-in tax credit rule work?
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 144.025, if you sell an existing vehicle privately or trade it in within 180 days before or 180 days after purchasing your next vehicle, you can deduct the sale price of the old car from the purchase price of the new car to lower your taxable basis. You claim this credit using Missouri DOR Form 426.
What is the legal maximum dealer doc fee in Missouri?
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 301.558, dealer documentation administrative fees are capped at $620.79 for 2026. This cap is adjusted annually by the Missouri Department of Revenue based on the Consumer Price Index.
How much are vehicle registration and license plate fees in Missouri?
Missouri passenger vehicle registration fees are based on a taxable horsepower scale under Missouri Revised Statutes § 301.070, ranging from $18.25 to $51.25 per year (or $36.50 to $102.50 for a two-year plate). Titling costs $14.50, and local office processing adds $6.00.
When is car sales tax due after buying a vehicle in Missouri?
Sales tax and title paperwork must be submitted to a Missouri Department of Revenue contract license office within 30 calendar days of the purchase date. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 301.190, a late penalty of $25 is assessed for every 30 days the title is delinquent, up to a maximum penalty of $200.
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