Missouri Car Sales Tax Calculator
Determine exact Missouri motor vehicle sales tax, official DMV title and license fees (TTL), and dealer documentation fee caps under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.020 & § 301.558.
Vehicle & Tax Parameters
Calculates in real time as you adjust inputs or click presets.
Worked Scenario: Buying a $30,000 Vehicle in Missouri
Here is how the numbers break down when purchasing a $30,000 car with a $5,000 trade-in allowance in Missouri:
| Line Item | Calculation Rule | Amount ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Agreed Price | Base vehicle purchase price | $30,000.00 |
| Less Trade-In Allowance | Deducted from vehicle equity | -$5,000.00 |
| Taxable Purchase Amount | Price minus trade-in (Credit applies) | $25,000.00 |
| Missouri Sales Tax (4.225%) | $25,000.00 × 4.22% | $1,056.25 |
| Dealer Documentation Fee | Statutory legal cap of $565.04 for 2026 under Mo. Rev. ... | $565.04 |
| DMV Title & Registration | Official state titling and plate fee | $45.00 |
| Total Out-the-Door Due | Net balance + tax + fees | $26,666.29 |
Missouri Motor Vehicle Tax Laws & Regulations
When purchasing a car in Missouri, understanding how your state assesses tax and regulates dealer fees ensures you never overpay at the dealership signing table. Primary legal authority is codified under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.020 & § 301.558.
1. Sales Tax Assessment & Surtaxes
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.020 & § 301.558, Missouri assesses a 4.225% state sales tax. Dealerships do not collect sales tax at signing; buyers remit tax directly at their local license office when titling within 30 days.
2. Trade-In Tax Deduction Rules
Trade-in tax credit applies within 180 days under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.025. If you sell a vehicle privately within 180 days before or after buying, you can still claim credit.
3. Dealer Documentation Fees & Ceilings
Statutory legal cap of $565.04 for 2026 under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 301.558 (adjusted annually by the Department of Revenue based on the CPI). Learn how this compares with other jurisdictions in our complete Dealer Doc Fees by State Directory.
Local DMV & County Fee Variations in Missouri
While state tax rates provide the baseline, local county surtaxes and DMV plate fees vary across Missouri jurisdictions:
| County / Metropolitan Area | Combined Vehicle Tax Rate | DMV Plate & Title Fee | Typical Dealer Doc Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County | 7.50% - 9.10% combined | $18.25-$51.25 HP scale | $565.04 (Capped) |
| Jackson County (Kansas City) | 8.35% - 8.85% combined | $18.25-$51.25 HP scale | $565.04 (Capped) |
| St. Charles County | 6.20% - 7.50% combined | $18.25-$51.25 HP scale | $565.04 (Capped) |
| Greene County (Springfield) | 7.60% - 8.10% combined | $18.25-$51.25 HP scale | $565.04 (Capped) |
| Clay County | 7.75% - 8.50% combined | $18.25-$51.25 HP scale | $565.04 (Capped) |
| Jefferson County | 6.50% - 7.50% combined | $18.25-$51.25 HP scale | $565.04 (Capped) |
Cross-Border & Private-Party Buying Rules
If you purchase a vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, you pay motor vehicle sales tax to Missouri when titling the car in your home jurisdiction. Read our transactional guide on buying a car out of state to avoid paying duplicate sales tax.
For private-party transactions between individual buyers and sellers, review our guide on private party vs. dealer vehicle sales tax to understand state valuation rules and required bill of sale documentation.
Need a National View?
Compare statutory rates across all 50 states or recalculate with custom dealer parameters: