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New Hampshire · What a car really costs

Buying a car in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire charges no sales tax on a vehicle.

No sales tax
No sales tax
No credit
Trade-in reduces the taxable price
$25.00
Title fee
$763
Registration, typical new car
~$375
Doc fee, typical (no cap)

How the tax works.

New Hampshire has no sales tax on vehicles at any level.

The DMV new-resident page quotes a $35 title figure, while the standard title fee under RSA 261:20 is $25; $25 is used here with this caveat.

State registration fees are set in RSA 261:141; the municipal permit fee is by far the larger first-year cost.

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

At the DMV.

FeeAmount
Title$25.00
Registration (mixed-based)~$763
Plates$8.00
Municipal agent fee (when the town clerk processes the state portion (varies by town))$3.00
Two-part registration: state fee by weight (0-3,000 lbs $31.20; 3,001-5,000 lbs $43.20; 5,001-8,000 lbs $55.20 per year) plus the municipal permit fee of $18 per $1,000 of the manufacturer's list price in the model year ($15 year 2, $12 year 3, $9 year 4, $6 year 5, $3 thereafter). A $40,000, 3,500 lb car: $720 + $43.20 = $763.20, plus plate and agent fees.
Annual value-based tax: {"name":"Municipal motor vehicle permit fee","rate":"$18 per $1,000 of list price in the model year, declining to $3 per $1,000 by year 6 (RSA 261:153)","notes":"Paid to the town before the state registration; deductible as a personal property tax."}

Leasing in New Hampshire.

no sales tax; municipal permit fee and state registration apply to the leased vehicle

Cities in New Hampshire.

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

ManchesterHillsborough CountyNashuaHillsborough CountyConcordMerrimack CountyPortsmouthRockingham CountyRochesterStrafford CountyDoverStrafford CountyTiltonBelknap CountyHamptonRockingham CountyKeeneCheshire CountyLaconiaBelknap County
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Questions.

How much is sales tax on a car in New Hampshire?

There is no sales tax on a vehicle in New Hampshire. New Hampshire has no sales tax on vehicles at any level.

Does a trade-in lower the sales tax in New Hampshire?

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

What are title and registration fees in New Hampshire?

Title is $25.00. Two-part registration: state fee by weight (0-3,000 lbs $31.20; 3,001-5,000 lbs $43.20; 5,001-8,000 lbs $55.20 per year) plus the municipal permit fee of $18 per $1,000 of the manufacturer's list price in the model year ($15 year 2, $12 year 3, $9 year 4, $6 year 5, $3 thereafter). A $40,000, 3,500 lb car: $720 + $43.20 = $763.20, plus plate and agent fees.

Is the doc fee capped in New Hampshire?

No. New Hampshire sets no statutory cap, and dealers typically charge around $375. No statutory cap. Typical from CarEdge 2026 (secondary).

How is a lease taxed in New Hampshire?

no sales tax; municipal permit fee and state registration 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.