Minnesota Car Sales Tax Calculator
Minnesota 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 Minnesota allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Minnesota’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6.50%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Minnesota car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Minnesota gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 |
Minnesota Motor Vehicle Sales Tax is 6.5%. Title and registration line items (title fee, filing fee, technology surcharge, license tab fee) are collected by Driver and Vehicle Services through deputy registrars. The license tab fee is value-based and depreciates with vehicle age.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Minnesota state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Minnesota 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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS).
Official Minnesota source
↗Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS)dps.mn.govRelated Minnesota tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Minnesota?
The Minnesota 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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS).
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Minnesota?
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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS).
Does Minnesota 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 Minnesota's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Minnesota?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Minnesota state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice