How Missouri car sales tax is figured
Missouri charges 4.225% state sales tax on a vehicle's net purchase price, the price after any rebate or trade-in, plus the local taxes of the city or county where you live, not where you bought the car.[1] You pay it at the license office when you title the car, not to the dealer.[2]
| Case | Tax | Share of price |
|---|---|---|
| $30,000 car, $6,000 trade, $1,000 rebate, 3.5% local | $1,776.75 | 5.92% |
| $30,000 car, no trade, 3.5% local | $2,317.50 | 7.72% |
| $18,000 used car, no trade, 2% local | $1,120.50 | 6.22% |
| $45,000 truck, $15,000 trade, 4.5% local | $2,617.50 | 5.82% |
| $30,000 car, state tax only | $1,267.50 | 4.23% |
Missouri local sales tax on cars
The local part depends on your home address. The Department of Revenue publishes every city and county rate each quarter in its Local Government Tax Guide (Form 4890) and runs an online tax calculator.[3][1] Enter your combined local rate in the calculator; the state 4.225% is added automatically.
Missouri used car sales taxUsed cars are taxed the same way as new ones: state plus local rate on the net price you paid, whether you buy from a dealer or a private seller.
Out-of-state purchases and the 90-day rule
- Tax paid to another state is credited toward the Missouri tax; if it was less than Missouri's, you pay the difference.[1]
- Moving to Missouri: if the vehicle was titled in your name in another state for more than 90 days, no Missouri sales tax is assessed.[1]
- Trade-in limit: the trade-in allowance cannot be more than the true value of the vehicle you trade.
Compare Missouri with other states on the car sales tax calculator. Financing the tax? The car affordability calculator builds it into the price, and the cost of owning a car calculator adds insurance, fuel and depreciation.
Frequently asked questions
How much is car sales tax in Missouri?
4.225% state tax plus your local rate, on the price after trade-in and rebates. With a 3.5% local rate the total is 7.725%.
Do you pay Missouri sales tax where you live or where you buy the car?
Where you live: Missouri applies the local tax of your city and county of residence.
Does Missouri charge sales tax on a car bought out of state?
Yes, with credit for tax paid to the other state; you pay any difference. No Missouri tax is due if the car was titled in your name elsewhere for more than 90 days.