Missouri Car Sales Tax Calculator
Missouri charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 4.23% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $845.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if Missouri allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Missouri’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 4.23%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Missouri car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Missouri gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Missouri 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 Missouri taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 4.23% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
Title fee is $8.50 (plus a $2 transfer fee and $9 title processing fee). The 4.225% rate is Missouri's state sales tax; local sales tax applies on top. A title penalty applies if the vehicle is not titled within 30 days of purchase.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Missouri state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Missouri 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 Missouri Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureau.
Official Missouri source
↗Missouri Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureaudor.mo.govRelated Missouri tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Missouri?
The Missouri state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 4.23%. 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 Missouri Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureau.
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Missouri?
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 Missouri Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureau.
Does Missouri 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 Missouri's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Missouri?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Missouri state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Missouri Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureau publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Missouri Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureau sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice