Arkansas Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Arkansas taxes new vehicles at 6.5% while used vehicles under $4,000 owe no sales tax and those from $4,000 through $9,999 are taxed at 3.5%.
• Local taxes on motor vehicles are capped at $25 for each 1% of tax due.
• A manufacturer rebate does not reduce the taxable delivery price, but a trade-in credit does.

Sales and use tax

New vehicle: 6.5% · Used vehicle: 0% up to $3,999.99; 3.5% up to $9,999.99; 6.5% over $9,999.99 (rate applies to the full price)

Local tax

0% to 6.125%, on the first $2,500.00 only

Trade-in

Full credit: reduces the taxable price

Manufacturer rebate

Taxed: tax is figured before the rebate

Figured with Arkansas's rules for a buyer in Little Rock, at its 2.125% local rate.

• Used car, no trade-in$1,223

  $18,000 price. Taxed on $18,000.

• New car with a trade-in$1,678

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $650.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$2,003

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $30,000. The trade-in saves $975. The rebate does not lower the tax.

These examples treat the agreed price as the taxable price. Where a state uses a book value instead, the tax can differ.

On a $30,000 car, tax runs from $2,000 in Jonesboro to $2,031 in Springdale, a difference of $31 among the 6 cities we list. Local tax reaches only the first $2,500 of the price.

Before trade-in, for a buyer living in each city. In some states the rate follows the dealer's location instead; see the rules above and our methodology. Rates from dfa.arkansas.gov, checked Nov 6, 2026.

The calculator covers a car bought from a dealer. These rules apply to other ways of buying or bringing a car to Arkansas.

Buying from a private seller

Arkansas sales tax on a used car is figured on the price shown on a bill of sale, financing contract or affidavit signed by the buyer and seller. If the price cannot be documented or the two disagree, the taxable price is the greater of the stated price or the car's average loan value in the NADA Official Used Car Guide. (codeofarrules.arkansas.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

A car given as a gift owes no Arkansas sales tax when the donor and recipient sign an affidavit attesting to the gift and the donor paid sales or use tax when buying the car and registered it in their own name. (codeofarrules.arkansas.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Arkansas

For vehicles bought after November 3, 1989, Arkansas gives no credit for sales or use tax paid to another state on a car first registered by the buyer in Arkansas. (codeofarrules.arkansas.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

Service members whose home of record is Arkansas register and title a car under the same rules as other residents, wherever they are stationed. Those whose home of record is another state are exempt from Arkansas assessment and personal property taxes and must show a leave and earnings statement. (dfa.arkansas.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

A car must be titled and registered within 60 calendar days of the date of transfer, or of the release of a prior lien, and the sales tax is paid at registration. (dfa.arkansas.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

If a car is not registered within 60 days, the penalty for late payment of sales tax is 10% of the tax due, plus a registration penalty of $3 for each 10-day period, up to the full year's registration fee. No penalty is due if the car was not driven in Arkansas after the deadline and an affidavit of non-use (Form 10-300) is filed. (dfa.arkansas.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Arkansas is tied for 37th lowest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia for tax on a $30,000 car, at its lowest local rate. See all states.

Tax on a $30,000 car before trade-in, in nearby states. You generally pay tax based on where you register the car.

• Oklahoma$1,350
• Mississippi$1,500
• Missouri$1,568 – $3,446
• Texas$1,875
• Arkansas$1,950 – $2,103
• Louisiana$2,100 – $4,050
• Tennessee$2,176 – $2,188

• All car calculators
• Sales tax calculators by state
• Car sales tax by state
• Trade-in tax credit by state
• Car cost by state
• Arkansas out-the-door price
• Auto loan calculator

• Louisiana car sales tax
• Mississippi car sales tax
• Missouri car sales tax
• Oklahoma car sales tax
• Tennessee car sales tax
• Texas car sales tax