Kansas Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Kansas applies the 6.5% state sales tax plus local tax at the higher rate between the place of sale and the buyer's registration address.
• A manufacturer's cash rebate on a new vehicle is excluded from tax only if paid directly to the dealer.

Retailers' sales tax

6.5%

Local tax

0% to 5.5%In effect since Oct 1, 2026

Trade-in

Full credit: reduces the taxable price

Manufacturer rebate

Not taxed: the rebate lowers the taxable priceIn effect since Jul 1, 2018

Figured with Kansas's rules for a buyer in Wichita, at its 1% local rate.

• Used car, no trade-in$1,350

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

• New car with a trade-in$1,875

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $750.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$2,100

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $28,000. The trade-in saves $1,125. The rebate saves $150.

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 $2,250 in Wichita to $2,843 in Olathe, a difference of $593 among the 6 cities we list.

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 ksrevenue.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 Kansas.

Buying from a private seller

In a private (isolated or occasional) sale, the buyer pays sales tax to the county treasurer when registering the car, figured on the actual selling price shown on the title. Tax is figured on fair market value instead if the price is unknown or bears no reasonable relationship to the car's value. (ksrevenue.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

A bona fide gift of a car, given without any consideration, is not a sale and owes no Kansas sales tax. A gift is presumed between a spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew when no money changes hands; anyone else must prove the gift to the county treasurer. (ksrevenue.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Kansas with your car

A car bought and used outside Kansas for at least six months before the owner moves to Kansas owes no Kansas use tax. Otherwise the owner pays Kansas use tax when registering, less sales tax paid to the other state, so only the difference in rates is due. (ksrevenue.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Kansas

A Kansas resident who buys a car in another state gets credit for sales tax legally paid to that state, up to the Kansas tax due, and pays any difference between the rates to the county treasurer. Proof of the tax paid to the other state is required. (ksrevenue.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

Kansas residents on full-time active duty who are stationed in Kansas, absent from Kansas solely under military orders, or mobilized or deployed owe no annual vehicle property tax on up to two vehicles; Kansas National Guard and reserve members also qualify. The statute names no military exemption from sales tax on a purchase. (ksrevisor.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

To avoid a penalty, a buyer must apply for Kansas title and registration within 60 days of the date of purchase. (ksrevenue.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

A $2 penalty is added to the other fees when the owner fails to apply for registration within 60 days of the transfer. (ksrevisor.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Kansas 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.

• Colorado$870 – $3,360
• Oklahoma$1,350
• Missouri$1,568 – $3,446
• Nebraska$1,650 – $2,250
• Kansas$1,950 – $3,600

• All car calculators
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• Car sales tax by state
• Trade-in tax credit by state
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• Kansas out-the-door price
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• Colorado car sales tax
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• Nebraska car sales tax
• Oklahoma car sales tax