What is Connecticut's car sales tax rate?

Connecticut charges 6.35 percent sales and use tax on most motor vehicles, the same as its general sales tax rate. Vehicles with a sales price above 50,000 dollars are taxed at the higher luxury rate of 7.75 percent on the entire price.

Does a trade-in lower the tax in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut taxes the net price after a dealer trade-in allowance, so only the difference between the vehicle's price and the trade-in value is subject to sales tax. Enter your trade-in amount to reduce the taxable base.

When does the 7.75 percent rate apply?

The 7.75 percent rate applies when the vehicle's purchase price exceeds 50,000 dollars. The higher rate is charged on the full price, not just the amount over 50,000, so a car at exactly 50,001 dollars is taxed entirely at 7.75 percent.

Do I pay tax on a private-party car sale in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut charges use tax on casual or private-party vehicle sales, generally based on the purchase price or the vehicle's NADA value, whichever the DMV uses. You pay it to the DMV when you register and title the car.

Does this include registration and title fees?

No. This calculator computes only the sales or use tax on the purchase. Connecticut's registration fee, title fee, plate fees, and the separate annual local property tax are additional costs you pay at the DMV on top of the tax shown.

Connecticut Car Sales Tax Calculator

Email me this result

Get this tool's output sent to your inbox, plus one useful tool a week. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Connecticut taxes vehicle purchases at 6.35% — the same as its general sales tax — but jumps to a 7.75% luxury rate when the price is above 50,000 dollars. A dealer trade-in reduces the taxable amount. This tool applies the right tier and shows what you’ll owe at the DMV.

How it works

The taxable amount is the price minus a qualifying trade-in, and the rate depends on the purchase price tier:

taxable  = max(0, purchase price − trade-in allowance)
rate     = 6.35%  if purchase price ≤ 50,000
         = 7.75%  if purchase price > 50,000   (applied to full taxable amount)
sales tax = taxable × rate

The 50,000 threshold is based on the purchase price, and once it is exceeded the higher rate applies to the entire taxable amount, not just the excess.

Example and notes

A 35,000 dollar car with a 10,000 dollar trade-in: the taxable base is 35,000 − 10,000 = 25,000, taxed at 6.35%, so the tax is 25,000 × 0.0635 = 1,587.50 dollars. A 60,000 dollar car (above the threshold) is taxed at 7.75% on its net price. This figure is tax only — add the registration fee, title fee, plate fees, and annual local property tax for the full DMV cost. Confirm current rates with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.