North Dakota Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• North Dakota charges a 5% motor vehicle excise tax instead of state and local sales taxes, so there is no county or city add-on.
• The tax applies to the sales price less any trade-in amount.
• North Dakota credits excise tax paid on the vehicle in another state if that state allows a reciprocal credit.

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

5%

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 North Dakota's rules for a buyer from a dealer.

• Used car, no trade-in$900

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

• New car with a trade-in$1,250

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $500.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$1,400

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $28,000. The trade-in saves $750. The rebate saves $100.

These examples treat the agreed price as the taxable price. Where a state uses a book value instead, the tax can differ.

North Dakota has no local tax on vehicles, so buyers in Fargo and Bismarck and everywhere else in North Dakota are figured at the same state rate: $1,500 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 North Dakota.

Buying from a private seller

A car bought from a private seller is taxed at 5% of the total amount paid for it, less the trade-in allowance for any vehicle taken in trade. The buyer pays the motor vehicle excise tax when applying for the North Dakota title. (ndlegis.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

A car given as a gift between spouses, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, or brothers and sisters is exempt from the motor vehicle excise tax. Other gifts are taxed at 5% of the average value of similar vehicles, set by guides chosen by the Department of Transportation. (ndlegis.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to North Dakota with your car

A new resident's car titled in Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, a Canadian province, a foreign country or a tribal nation owes the 5% excise tax on its current market value when titled in North Dakota. Any motor vehicle excise, use or sales tax paid when the car was bought is credited. (nd.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside North Dakota

Sales, use or motor vehicle excise tax paid on the car in another state is credited against North Dakota's 5% tax, and nothing more is due if the other state's tax was the same or higher. The credit applies only if that state gives a substantially similar credit for North Dakota's tax. (ndlegis.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

A car transferred without payment to or from a person serving in the U.S. armed forces, or within 30 days before entering or after discharge, is exempt when the person certifies the transfer is for that reason. Active-duty members stationed in North Dakota owe the excise tax when they title a car there, while a resident stationed out of state is exempt if the car is not intended for use in North Dakota. (ndlegis.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

The seller must deliver the signed title to the buyer within 30 days of the sale, and the buyer must apply for a new title within 30 days of receiving it. The excise tax is paid with the title application. (ndlegis.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

A buyer who does not submit the motor vehicle purchaser's certificate on time owes a penalty of 5% of the tax or $5, whichever is greater, plus 1% of the tax for each month after the month it was due. The vehicle's registration may also be suspended or revoked if the title is not transferred within 30 days. (ndlegis.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

North Dakota is tied for 15th 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
• North Dakota$1,500
• Minnesota$2,063

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

• Minnesota car sales tax
• Montana car sales tax
• South Dakota car sales tax