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Montana · What a car really costs

Buying a car in Montana.

Montana charges no sales tax on a vehicle.

No sales tax
No sales tax
No credit
Trade-in reduces the taxable price
$12.36
Title fee
$217
Registration, typical new car
~$299
Doc fee, typical (no cap)

How the tax works.

Montana has no state or local sales tax on vehicles.

Title fee $12.36 includes a 3% administration fee (MCA 61-3-111).

Annual registration is age-based rather than value-based, except for the $825 luxury surcharge and the county option tax.

Trade-ins: No sales tax, so no trade-in credit is needed.

At the DMV.

FeeAmount
Title$12.36
Registration (age-based)~$217
County option tax (annual in counties that adopt it; percentage of depreciated value (MCA 61-3-537))Varies
Light vehicles (MCA 61-3-321): $217 per year if 4 or fewer years old, $87 for 5-10 years, $28 for 11+ years (permanent registration available at 11+). Vehicles with MSRP over $150,000 and 10 years old or less add $825. Plus county option tax (up to 0.7% of depreciated MSRP value where adopted), a $10 MHP salary fee and small county fees.
Annual value-based tax: {"name":"County option motor vehicle tax","rate":"Up to 0.7% of the depreciated value (MSRP times the statutory depreciation percentage) in counties that adopt it","notes":"Many counties impose it; the MVD fee estimator computes the exact amount."}

Leasing in Montana.

no sales tax; registration fees apply to the leased vehicle

Cities in Montana.

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

BillingsYellowstone CountyHelenaLewis and Clark CountyMissoulaMissoula CountyBozemanGallatin CountyButteSilver Bow CountyGreat FallsCascade CountyKalispellFlathead CountyAshlandRosebud CountyRoundupMusselshell CountyAbsarokeeStillwater County
What is my car worth? How buying with us works Every state

Questions.

How much is sales tax on a car in Montana?

There is no sales tax on a vehicle in Montana. Montana has no state or local sales tax on vehicles.

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

No sales tax, so no trade-in credit is needed.

What are title and registration fees in Montana?

Title is $12.36. Light vehicles (MCA 61-3-321): $217 per year if 4 or fewer years old, $87 for 5-10 years, $28 for 11+ years (permanent registration available at 11+). Vehicles with MSRP over $150,000 and 10 years old or less add $825. Plus county option tax (up to 0.7% of depreciated MSRP value where adopted), a $10 MHP salary fee and small county fees.

Is the doc fee capped in Montana?

No. Montana sets no statutory cap, and dealers typically charge around $299. No statutory cap. Typical from CarEdge 2026 (secondary).

How is a lease taxed in Montana?

no sales tax; registration fees apply to the leased vehicle

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.