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Missouri · What a car really costs

Buying a car in Missouri.

Missouri charges sales tax (paid to dor at titling) of 4.225% at the state level, and local jurisdictions add their own, which brings a typical vehicle to about 8.225%. A trade-in does reduce the taxable price, which is real money on the deal.

8.225%
Typical combined tax on a vehicle
Full credit
Trade-in reduces the taxable price
$8.50
Title fee
$33
Registration, typical new car
$621
Doc fee, capped by law

How the tax works.

Sales tax on a vehicle is paid to the DOR when the title is applied for (within 30 days), at the state 4.225% plus the local rate of the buyer's residence address (city, county, transportation and special districts).

Typical local of 4.0% reflects Kansas City (8.85% combined) and St. Louis County/City (8.24%-9.68%); combined rates in Missouri reach about 11.9%, so the local share can approach 7.7%.

Manufacturer rebates are taxable in Missouri; only the trade-in and dealer discounts reduce the price.

Trade-ins: Trade-in allowance (and proceeds of a vehicle sold within 180 days) reduce the taxable purchase price (RSMo 144.025).

At the DMV.

FeeAmount
Title$8.50
Registration (mixed-based)~$33
Title processing fee (with the $8.50 title fee)$9.00
Registration processing fee (per one-year registration)$9.00
Annual passenger registration by taxable horsepower: under 12 hp $18.25; 12-23 hp $21.25; 24-35 hp $24.25; 36-47 hp $33.25; 48-59 hp $39.25; 60-71 hp $45.25; 72+ hp $51.25; plus $9 registration processing fee ($18 for two-year). Typical 6-cylinder car falls in the 36-47 hp bracket.
Annual value-based tax: {"name":"Personal property tax","rate":"Assessed at 33.3% of true value times the local levy (commonly 6%-9% of assessed value)","notes":"Billed by the county each December; receipt required to renew registration."}

Leasing in Missouri.

Lease tax applies to each monthly payment rather than to the full price of the car, so you pay it as you go.

Cities in Missouri.

Pick your city for the exact combined rate where you register, plus what title and registration run there.

Kansas CityJackson CountySaint LouisSt. Louis CountySpringfieldGreene CountyJefferson CityCole CountyColumbiaBoone CountyIndependenceJackson CountySaint JosephBuchanan CountyLees SummitJackson CountyBallwinSt. Louis CountyFlorissantSt. Louis County
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Questions.

How much is sales tax on a car in Missouri?

Missouri charges 4.225% at the state level and local jurisdictions add more, so a typical combined rate on a vehicle is about 8.225% and can reach 11.925% at the high end. The rate is set by where you live, so pick your city above for the exact figure.

Does a trade-in lower the sales tax in Missouri?

Trade-in allowance (and proceeds of a vehicle sold within 180 days) reduce the taxable purchase price (RSMo 144.025).

What are title and registration fees in Missouri?

Title is $8.50. Annual passenger registration by taxable horsepower: under 12 hp $18.25; 12-23 hp $21.25; 24-35 hp $24.25; 36-47 hp $33.25; 48-59 hp $39.25; 60-71 hp $45.25; 72+ hp $51.25; plus $9 registration processing fee ($18 for two-year). Typical 6-cylinder car falls in the 36-47 hp bracket.

Is the doc fee capped in Missouri?

Yes, at $621. 12 CSR 10-26.231: maximum administrative fee $620.79 for the 2026 license year (CPI-indexed; $604.47 in 2025). Typical $565 per CarEdge (secondary).

How is a lease taxed in Missouri?

Tax applies to each monthly payment rather than the whole price of the car, so the tax is spread across the lease.

Where these numbers come from.

Rates, fees, and rules change. These figures are estimates for planning, not tax advice; confirm the final numbers with the dealer and your state's motor vehicle agency before you buy.