Does selling my old car lower the tax on the one I buy in Missouri?

Yes. If you sell a vehicle within 180 days before or after you buy, the sale price is credited against the purchase price. Bring the bill of sale or Notice of Sale (Form 5049) when you title. Only one sold vehicle can be credited per purchase.

How much does titling and registration cost in Missouri?

The title is $8.50 plus a $9 processing fee. Registration is set by taxable horsepower, from $18.25 to $51.25 a year plus $9 processing; a typical 24 to 35 horsepower car is $33.25. Electric vehicles also pay the $150 alternative fuel decal and plug-in hybrids $75.

How long do I have to title a car in Missouri after a private purchase?

You have 30 days. The penalty is $25 on the 31st day and $25 more for each 30 days after that, up to $200.

I am moving to Missouri. Do I pay sales tax on my car?

Not if the vehicle was titled in your name in another state for more than 90 days. You have 30 days after becoming a resident to title it, with a safety inspection (unless exempt), an emissions inspection in the St. Louis area, and a statement of non-assessment from your county assessor.

Is a gifted vehicle taxed in Missouri?

No. A vehicle that was previously titled and taxed can be given without sales tax. The person giving it completes a gift statement for you to present when you title.

Verified for 2026 Missouri Statutory Rates

Missouri Private Party Car Tax Calculator

Calculate your true first-year out-of-pocket costs for a private vehicle sale in Missouri. Accurately accounts for 4.225% excise/sales tax, $17.50 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 Missouri.

State of Registration51 Jurisdictions Active

Vehicle Type

Purchase Price (Agreed Sale Price)Missouri 4.225% tax base

Vehicle Model Year7 years old

Registration TermMissouri tag options

1-Year Term (Missouri registers for one year)

Powertrain / Fuel TypeEV surcharge rules

Financing & Lien FilingLien fee: $0.00

Trade-in Value (Optional)Missouri: Deductible

Missouri Notice: Missouri credits the sale price of a vehicle you sold within 180 days before or after this purchase; enter that amount here. Department of Revenue pages also subtract a trade-in allowance, but its rule 12 CSR 10-103.350 limits trade-in allowances to purchases from a dealer.

Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

The 2026 decal amounts ($150 and $75) are worked out from RSMo 142.869, not a figure the Department of Revenue publishes.

Department of Revenue pages apply the tax to the price less any trade-in allowance, but its rule 12 CSR 10-103.350 says a trade-in allowance applies only to purchases from a dealer. On a private sale, the 180-day sold-vehicle credit is the usual way to lower the tax.

Local rates change each quarter. The range shown is for October to December 2026.

County personal property tax is not included. To buy new plates you also need a paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment from your county for the prior year.

County & Local Tax Note: Missouri adds the local sales tax of the city or county where you live, not where you bought the car: 1.0% to 7.263% on the October to December 2026 motor vehicle chart.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

Missouri

Estimated taxes & fees

$834.50 – $1,773.95

Sales/Excise Tax (State + Local Range) + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee

1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (4.225% State + Local Range)

State tax $633.75 + Local tax (varies by county) $150.00–$1,089.45

$783.75 – $1,723.20

2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$17.50

3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00

4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$33.25

Missouri rates last verified: October 2026

Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

The 2026 decal amounts ($150 and $75) are worked out from RSMo 142.869, not a figure the Department of Revenue publishes.

Local rates change each quarter. The range shown is for October to December 2026.

County personal property tax is not included. To buy new plates you also need a paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment from your county for the prior year.

County & Local Tax Note: Missouri adds the local sales tax of the city or county where you live, not where you bought the car: 1.0% to 7.263% on the October to December 2026 motor vehicle chart.

Frequently Asked Questions: Missouri Vehicle Taxes & Fees

Essential statutory answers regarding Missouri vehicle sales taxes, titling requirements, and registration fees.

The state rate is 4.225%, plus the local sales tax of the city or county where you live. Local rates run from 1.0% to 7.263% on the October to December 2026 chart.