How Kentucky taxes car purchases
- State vehicle tax rate
- 6%
- Trade-in lowers the tax
- No
- Tax cap
- None
- Source
- Official source, checked 2026-10-05
These are the rules for a new car bought from a dealer. Used-car and private-sale rules can differ. How we check this data.
Kentucky charges 6% at the state level. Motor vehicle usage tax. A trade-in lowers it only on a used vehicle, and only when both cars are registered in Kentucky. That rate is higher than 27 states and lower than 16 states. County and city taxes may add to it, so check your local rate and enter the total in the calculator.
What to know in Kentucky
Kentucky's motor vehicle usage tax is 6%, and Kentucky has no local sales taxes to add to it. On a new car, the tax is charged on the full price even if you trade one in.
That makes Kentucky one of the few states where a dealer trade-in on a new car saves nothing in tax, so it's worth getting offers from used-car buyers before you accept the dealer's price. If you're buying used, the rule changes: trading in a Kentucky-registered car does lower the tax.
Does Kentucky tax your trade-in?
Yes. Kentucky taxes the full price of the new car even when you trade one in. On a $35,000 car you'd pay $2,100.00 in state tax with or without a $10,000 trade-in. Because trading in gives you no tax break here, selling your old car privately is often worth more.
Example: a car loan in Kentucky
A $35,000 car with $5,000 down, $1,500 in fees, and a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR ($2,100.00 state tax, rolled into the loan):
- Monthly payment: $657.42
- Amount financed: $33,600
- Total interest: $5,845
- Total cost of the car: $44,445
Change any number in the calculator above to see your own figures.
Rebates and fees
The calculator charges tax on the price before any manufacturer rebate. Ask the dealer how Kentucky treats your specific rebate. Title, registration and dealer documentation fees vary, so ask for an itemized out-the-door price and put the fee total in the calculator.
Other states
States with similar vehicle tax rates:
- Florida 6%
- Idaho 6%
- Michigan 6%
- Pennsylvania 6%
- Vermont 6%