Louisiana Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Louisiana's state sales tax on vehicles is 5% from January 1, 2025 until December 31, 2029.
• Parish and municipal tax is added on top and is based on the vehicle's domicile rather than where the dealer is located.
• OMV assesses tax on the sale price minus any qualifying trade vehicle and rebate.

Sales and use tax

5%In effect since Jan 1, 2025

Local tax

2% to 8.5%

Trade-in

Full credit: reduces the taxable price

Manufacturer rebate

Not taxed: the rebate lowers the taxable price

Figured with Louisiana's rules for a buyer in New Orleans, at its 5% local rate.

• Used car, no trade-in$1,800

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

• New car with a trade-in$2,500

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $1,000.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$2,800

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $28,000. The trade-in saves $1,500. The rebate saves $200.

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 $2,700 in Lafayette to $3,225 in Lake Charles, a difference of $525 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 taxes.mfn.dps.la.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 Louisiana.

Buying from a private seller

A used car bought from a private seller is subject to state and local sales tax, figured on the selling price shown on the title, bill of sale or dealer invoice. The isolated-sale exemption does not apply to vehicles. (public.powerdms.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

Sales and use tax is not due on a car transferred by act of donation, a notarized act before two witnesses with no money exchanged. Title, handling and plate fees still apply. (public.powerdms.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Louisiana with your car

Use tax on a new resident's car is reduced by a credit for tax paid in another state that grants a similar credit, and for vehicles registered from January 1, 2025 the state and local use tax owed after credits cannot exceed $90. The cap applies only to a personal-use car previously registered or leased to the new resident in another state and registered within 90 days of entering Louisiana. (dam.ldr.la.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Louisiana

Louisiana credits sales or use tax paid on the car in another state if that state grants a similar credit, applied against both state and local use tax. The credit is the other state's rate times the Louisiana taxable price and cannot exceed the Louisiana tax. (legis.la.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

Active duty service members moving to Louisiana may title and register a car without state or parish use tax if sales tax was paid when it was bought in another state, whether or not that state has reciprocity; the exemption does not cover cars titled to a spouse. After separation from active duty, a member or spouse has 90 days to register and pay tax on an out-of-state-registered car, without penalty or interest. (public.powerdms.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

Sales tax on a car bought in Louisiana is due by the 40th day after the date of sale to avoid penalty and interest. For a car brought in from another state, the 40 days run from the date it enters Louisiana. (public.powerdms.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

Late sales or use tax draws a penalty of 5% of the tax for each 30 days it is delinquent, up to 25%, on both state and local tax. Interest also accrues monthly until paid: 1.25% on state tax and, for sales from January 1, 2023, 1% on parish and municipal tax. (public.powerdms.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Louisiana is tied for 44th 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.

• Mississippi$1,500
• Texas$1,875
• Arkansas$1,950 – $2,103
• Louisiana$2,100 – $4,050

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

• Arkansas car sales tax
• Mississippi car sales tax
• Texas car sales tax