Massachusetts Car Sales Tax Calculator
Massachusetts charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 6.25% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $1,250.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if Massachusetts allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Massachusetts’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6.25%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Massachusetts car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Massachusetts gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 6.25% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
Massachusetts title fee is $75. Standard passenger registration (2-year) is $60. State sales/use tax on vehicles is 6.25%. Cities/towns also bill an annual motor vehicle excise tax separate from registration.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Massachusetts state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
Official Massachusetts source
↗Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)www.mass.govRelated Massachusetts tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6.25%. 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 Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
Does Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Massachusetts?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Massachusetts state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice