Massachusetts Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Massachusetts dealers charge 6.25% sales tax on the sales price minus the trade-in amount.
• A manufacturer's rebate reduces the taxable price only when applied at the time of sale; a rebate received later does not.

Sales tax

6.25%

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 Massachusetts's rules for a buyer from a dealer.

• Used car, no trade-in$1,125

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

• New car with a trade-in$1,563

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $625.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$1,750

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $28,000. The trade-in saves $938. The rebate saves $125.

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 Massachusetts.

Buying from a private seller

When a car is bought from a private seller, Massachusetts use tax is 6.25% of the higher of the price paid or the car's clean trade-in (book) value, adjusted only for mileage, not for mechanical condition. A salvage-titled car is taxed on the actual price. (mass.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

A car given as a gift is exempt from Massachusetts sales and use tax (Form MVU-24) if the donor paid any Massachusetts sales or use tax before, no payment was made or promised, and the recipient took on no debt for it. (mass.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Massachusetts with your car

A car bought in another state and later brought to Massachusetts is exempt from use tax if sales tax was paid to that state and that state gives a matching credit for Massachusetts tax; if its rate was below 6.25%, the difference is owed. A new resident who paid no sales tax on the car in the former state owes Massachusetts use tax. (mass.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Massachusetts

A Massachusetts resident who buys a car in another state owes no Massachusetts use tax if sales tax at 6.25% or more was legally paid there and that state allows a matching credit for Massachusetts tax. If the other state's rate was lower, the buyer pays the difference; if the state gives no matching credit, the full 6.25% is due. (mass.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

A buyer who must register or title the car in Massachusetts has 10 days from the purchase or transfer to file the RMV title and registration application and pay the sales or use tax. Buyers who do not register the car in Massachusetts file Form ST-7R and pay by the 20th day of the month after the purchase. (mass.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

Massachusetts sales or use tax paid late adds a penalty of 1% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month, up to 25%, plus interest. The penalty can be waived for reasonable cause, but interest cannot. (mass.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Massachusetts is tied for 32nd 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
• Vermont$1,800
• Massachusetts$1,875
• Connecticut$1,905
• New York$2,100 – $2,663
• Rhode Island$2,100

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