Montana Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• Montana has no general-use sales tax, so a dealer purchase carries no state sales tax.

No state sales tax

0%

Local tax

None on vehicles

Trade-in

Not applicable: no tax on the purchase

Manufacturer rebate

Not applicable: no tax on the purchase

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

Buying from a private seller

Montana does not have a general sales tax, so a used car bought from a private seller owes no purchase tax. Title and registration fees still apply when the buyer registers the car. (revenue.mt.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

Montana has no general sales tax, so a car received as a gift owes no purchase tax. The new owner still pays title and registration fees. (revenue.mt.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Montana with your car

Montana has no sales or use tax on a car a new resident brings in. A person who has lived in Montana more than 60 consecutive days is a resident and must title and register the car in Montana, paying the usual registration fees, before driving it after that period. (mca.legmt.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Montana

Montana has no sales tax on vehicles, so there is no Montana tax for another state's tax to reduce. The Department of Revenue says another state's sales tax cannot be claimed on a Montana income tax return. (revenue.mt.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

A Montana resident on active military duty stationed outside Montana, including a National Guard or reserve member, can register a vehicle with the state by sworn application. Such a vehicle pays only the registration fee under MCA 61-3-321 and is not subject to the light-vehicle registration fee, local option taxes or fees, or other fees in Title 61, chapter 3, part 5. (mca.legmt.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

A buyer must apply for a Montana title and register the vehicle within 40 days after ownership is transferred. (mca.legmt.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

A buyer who does not title and register within the 40-day grace period owes a $10 late penalty. It must be paid before the vehicle is registered and is in addition to the other fees. (mca.legmt.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Montana is tied for 1st 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.

• Montana$0
• South Dakota$1,200
• Wyoming$1,200 – $2,700
• North Dakota$1,500
• Idaho$1,800

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

• Idaho car sales tax
• North Dakota car sales tax
• South Dakota car sales tax
• Wyoming car sales tax