Kentucky Car Sales Tax Calculator
Kentucky charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 6% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $1,200.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if Kentucky allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Kentucky’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Kentucky car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Kentucky gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Kentucky 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 Kentucky taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 6% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
Title fee is $9. Kentucky charges a 6% Motor Vehicle Usage Tax — a use tax shown here in the sales/use-tax line — on the vehicle's value at titling; there is no separate sales tax.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Kentucky state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Kentucky 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 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing.
Official Kentucky source
↗Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Division of Motor Vehicle Licensingrevenue.ky.govRelated Kentucky tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Kentucky?
The Kentucky state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6%. 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 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing.
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Kentucky?
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 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing.
Does Kentucky 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 Kentucky's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Kentucky?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Kentucky state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice