Maine Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Maine charges 5.5% sales tax on a vehicle's purchase price.
• A motor vehicle traded toward another motor vehicle reduces the taxable amount to the difference between the sale price and the trade-in allowance.

Sales tax

5.5%

Local tax

None on vehicles

Trade-in

Full credit: reduces the taxable price

Manufacturer rebate

Taxed: tax is figured before the rebate

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

• Used car, no trade-in$990

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

• New car with a trade-in$1,375

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $550.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$1,650

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $30,000. The trade-in saves $825. 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.

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

Buying from a private seller

A car bought from a private seller is subject to Maine's 5.5% sales tax on the sale price, paid by the buyer when registering the car. The tax does not apply when the seller transfers the car to a corporation, partnership, trust or LLC in which the seller owns 50% or more. (legislature.maine.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

Maine's sales and use tax applies to a sale, which the law defines as a transfer for consideration, so a car received as a true gift with nothing paid in return is not taxed. A transfer where the recipient pays anything, such as taking over a loan, is a sale. (legislature.maine.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Maine with your car

A car bought and used outside Maine by its present owner is exempt from Maine sales and use tax if the owner was a resident of the other state at the time of purchase. A new resident must register the car in Maine within 30 days of establishing residency. (legislature.maine.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Maine

Maine credits sales or use tax paid to another state on a car bought there. If that tax was less than Maine's, the buyer pays the difference. (legislature.maine.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

Vehicles owned by an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces permanently stationed at a base, or deployed for more than 180 days, are exempt from Maine's annual municipal excise tax with documentation from the member's commander. A military registration issued abroad stays valid for 45 days after the owner returns to the United States. (legislature.maine.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Maine is tied for 21st 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.

• New Hampshire$0
• Maine$1,650

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

• New Hampshire car sales tax