Arkansas Car Sales Tax Calculator
Arkansas charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 6.50% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $1,300.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if Arkansas allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Arkansas’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6.50%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Arkansas car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Arkansas gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Arkansas counties and cities add a local sales tax on top, so your actual total may be higher. Trade-in credit rules vary — confirm eligibility with the official source below.
How Arkansas taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 6.50% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
Title fee is a flat $10.00. The 6.5% rate is Arkansas's state sales/use tax; city and county taxes apply on top. Used vehicles priced $4,000–$10,000 are taxed at a reduced rate.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Arkansas state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Arkansas registration and title-transfer calculators for those.
- Dealer documentation fees. A dealer “doc fee” is charged on top and is often itself taxable.
- Exemptions. Gifts, inheritance, and certain family transfers may be exempt — confirm with Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Revenue Division.
Official Arkansas source
↗Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Revenue Divisionwww.dfa.arkansas.govRelated Arkansas tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Arkansas?
The Arkansas state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6.50%. Multiply it by the taxable purchase price (usually the price minus any trade-in credit). Counties and cities may add a local sales tax on top, so confirm your combined rate with Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Revenue Division.
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Arkansas?
In most states, sales or use tax on a private-party vehicle purchase is collected when you title and register the car, not at the point of sale. The rate is generally the same as a dealer sale. Confirm the private-sale rules with Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Revenue Division.
Does Arkansas give a sales tax credit for a trade-in?
Most states tax only the difference between the vehicle price and your trade-in value, which lowers the tax you owe. A handful of states tax the full price with no trade-in credit. Verify Arkansas's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Arkansas?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Arkansas state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Revenue Division publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Revenue Division sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice