Michigan Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Michigan's trade-in credit is capped, and the limit rises by $1,000 each January 1 under MCL 205.51.
• The Secretary of State collects 6 percent sales tax with a $15 title transfer fee, and a $15 late fee applies after 15 days.
• Michigan has no city, local or county sales tax.

Sales tax

6%

Local tax

None on vehicles

Trade-in

Credit up to $12,000.00In effect since Jan 1, 2026

Manufacturer rebate

Taxed: tax is figured before the rebate

Figured with Michigan'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$1,980

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $33,000. The trade-in saves $720. 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.

Michigan has no local tax on vehicles, so buyers in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Warren and everywhere else in Michigan 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 Michigan.

Buying from a private seller

When you buy a used car from a private seller, the Secretary of State collects 6% tax on the full purchase price or the car's fair market value, whichever is greater. (michigan.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

No use tax is due when the new owner is a listed relative of the previous owner, including a spouse, parent, child, sibling, stepparent, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild or in-law, or a legal ward or guardian. Treasury may ask for proof of the relationship. (michigan.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Michigan with your car

A car bought for personal use while you were not a Michigan resident is exempt from Michigan use tax if it is brought into the state more than 90 days after the purchase date. (legislature.mi.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Michigan

If you paid sales or use tax to another state on the car, Michigan exempts it when that tax equals or exceeds Michigan's and that state grants the same exemption; if the other state's tax was lower, you pay the difference between the two rates. (legislature.mi.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

A Michigan resident in U.S. military service who buys a car in another state and pays sales tax there is exempt from Michigan use tax on that car. (legislature.mi.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

You have 15 days after the date of sale to transfer the title at the Secretary of State, where the 6% tax is paid. (michigan.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

A $15 late fee is charged if the title is transferred more than 15 days after the sale. (michigan.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Michigan 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.

• Wisconsin$1,500 – $2,370
• Michigan$1,800
• Ohio$1,950 – $2,475
• Indiana$2,100

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

• Indiana car sales tax
• Ohio car sales tax
• Wisconsin car sales tax