Maine Private Party Car Tax Calculator
Calculate your true first-year out-of-pocket costs for a private vehicle sale in Maine. Accurately accounts for 5.5% sales tax, $33.00 certificate of title fee, 1-year tag registration, and state-specific regulations.
Vehicle & Transaction Details
Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in Maine.
The Maine municipal excise tax is figured from the price when new and drops as the vehicle ages. Blank uses $30,000.
Maine Statute: Maine allows trade-in value on private sales to be deducted from the purchase price before applying the 5.5% fee.
Estimates only — not tax or legal advice. Verify with Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and Maine Revenue Services.
Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax on private vehicle sales; local municipal excise tax is paid annually at your town office. The excise is 24, 17.5, 13.5, 10, 6.5, then 4 mills on the list price by model year, with a $5 minimum. Motorcycles are shown without it. A credit for excise paid on a vehicle you transferred, or registering late in a registration year, can lower it (36 M.R.S. § 1482).
Trade-in allowance reduces the taxable purchase base when exchanging comparable vehicles.
County & Local Tax Note: Maine has no local sales tax. However, under 36 M.R.S. § 1482, municipalities collect an annual personal property Excise Tax based on vehicle maker's list price and age (24 mills down to 4 mills for 6th model year and older) prior to registration. The estimate includes it.
Check this VIN before you buy
Spot accident, title, and odometer problems before you pay a private seller.
We may earn a commission if you use partner links. It doesn't change your estimate.
Estimated taxes & fees
Maine
Sales Tax + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration
Calculated at 5.5% on taxable base of $15,000
Standard state title certificate issuance
Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)
Base license plates & tags + $120.00 Maine municipal excise tax for a $30,000.00 list price
Estimates only — not tax or legal advice. Verify with Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and Maine Revenue Services.
Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax on private vehicle sales; local municipal excise tax is paid annually at your town office. The excise is 24, 17.5, 13.5, 10, 6.5, then 4 mills on the list price by model year, with a $5 minimum. Motorcycles are shown without it. A credit for excise paid on a vehicle you transferred, or registering late in a registration year, can lower it (36 M.R.S. § 1482).
Trade-in allowance reduces the taxable purchase base when exchanging comparable vehicles.
County & Local Tax Note: Maine has no local sales tax. However, under 36 M.R.S. § 1482, municipalities collect an annual personal property Excise Tax based on vehicle maker's list price and age (24 mills down to 4 mills for 6th model year and older) prior to registration. The estimate includes it.
Frequently Asked Questions: Maine Vehicle Taxes & Fees
Essential statutory answers regarding Maine vehicle sales taxes, titling requirements, and registration fees.
Maine levies a uniform 5.5% sales and use tax on private party motor vehicle purchases under 36 M.R.S. § 1764, collected when the buyer registers the vehicle.
Other State Car Tax Calculators
Calculate private-party vehicle taxes, titling, and registration across other US states: