Idaho Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Idaho's 6% sales tax applies to the sales price of a vehicle, and document fees are part of that price.
• A manufacturer's rebate lowers the taxable price only when it is paid to the dealer and subtracted from the price.

Sales tax

6%

Local tax

None on vehicles

Trade-in

Full credit: reduces the taxable price

Manufacturer rebate

Not taxed: the rebate lowers the taxable price

Figured with Idaho's rules for a buyer from a dealer.

• Used car, no trade-in$1,080

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

• New car with a trade-in$1,500

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $600.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$1,680

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $28,000. The trade-in saves $900. The rebate saves $120.

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

Idaho has no local tax on vehicles, so buyers in Boise City, Meridian and Nampa and everywhere else in Idaho are figured at the same state rate: $1,800 on a new $30,000 car. Whether the tax applies to your purchase still depends on the rules above.

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

Buying from a private seller

A buyer owes Idaho sales tax on the total sales price of a car bought from an individual, shown on a bill of sale signed by both parties. The county assessor's motor vehicle office or the Idaho Transportation Department collects the tax when the buyer applies for an Idaho title, and private sales get no trade-in allowance. (tax.idaho.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

No use tax is owed on a car received as a gift or prize when the giver gets nothing of value for it and the recipient assumes no debt on it. Both parties sign Form ST-133GT, which is presented when the car is registered; taking over payments makes the transfer taxable. (tax.idaho.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Idaho with your car

A new Idaho resident owes no use tax on a car owned or acquired more than 90 days before moving to Idaho. A car owned for less than 90 days before the move is presumed bought for use in Idaho and owes use tax. (tax.idaho.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Idaho

An Idaho resident who buys a car in another state owes Idaho use tax, but sales tax properly paid to the other state can offset it, with a receipt showing the payment. Tax paid in a state where the buyer qualified for an out-of-state buyer exemption is not properly owed and still leaves Idaho use tax due. (tax.idaho.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

Active-duty members owe no Idaho use tax on a car they owned or acquired before receiving orders to transfer to Idaho, or owned for three months before moving, whichever period is shorter. Members temporarily stationed in Idaho who buy a car otherwise owe the tax. (tax.idaho.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

A buyer from a private party or an out-of-state dealer must file the title documents with a county motor vehicle office within 30 days of the transfer. An Idaho dealer must file the title application within 30 days of delivery. (itd.idaho.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

Filing for a title more than 30 days after the car is transferred to the new owner costs a $20 late-filing penalty. (itd.idaho.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Idaho is tied for 24th lowest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia for tax on a $30,000 car. 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.

• Montana$0
• Oregon$150
• Wyoming$1,200 – $2,700
• Idaho$1,800
• Utah$1,905 – $2,535
• Nevada$2,055 – $2,513
• Washington$2,430 – $3,360

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

• Montana car sales tax
• Nevada car sales tax
• Oregon car sales tax
• Utah car sales tax
• Washington car sales tax
• Wyoming car sales tax