How Mississippi taxes car purchases
- State vehicle tax rate
- 5%
- Trade-in lowers the tax
- Yes
- 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.
Mississippi charges 5% at the state level. Rate for cars and light trucks; local taxes may add more. That rate is higher than 16 states and lower than 29 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 Mississippi
Mississippi taxes cars and light trucks at 5%, lower than its general sales tax rate. The tax is figured on the price after discounts and your trade-in, so a dealer discount lowers the tax as well as the price.
Local taxes may add to the state rate in some areas, so check before you fill in the calculator. Because both discounts and trade-ins count, negotiating the price down saves you a little extra in tax.
Does Mississippi tax your trade-in?
No. Mississippi only taxes the difference between the new car's price and your trade-in. On a $35,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in, you'd pay $1,250.00 in state tax instead of $1,750.00, a saving of $500.00. That saving is worth counting when you compare a dealer's trade-in offer with selling the car yourself.
Example: a car loan in Mississippi
A $35,000 car with $5,000 down, $1,500 in fees, and a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR ($1,750.00 state tax, rolled into the loan):
- Monthly payment: $650.57
- Amount financed: $33,250
- Total interest: $5,784
- Total cost of the car: $44,034
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 Mississippi 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:
- Iowa 5%
- Louisiana 5%
- North Dakota 5%
- South Carolina 5%
- Wisconsin 5%