What is Maine's sales tax rate on cars?

Maine charges a 5.5% sales and use tax on vehicle purchases, the same as its general sales tax rate. Maine has no county or city sales tax, so the rate is 5.5% statewide with no local add-on.

Does a trade-in reduce sales tax in Maine?

Yes. Maine applies the tax only to the price after your trade-in allowance is subtracted. If you buy a $30,000 car and trade in one worth $10,000, you pay 5.5% on $20,000, saving you the tax on the trade-in value.

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

Yes. When you register a vehicle bought from a private seller, Maine collects a 5.5% use tax at the BMV based on the purchase price or the vehicle's value. It applies whether you buy from a dealer or an individual.

Are dealer fees taxable in Maine?

Documentation and other dealer service fees are generally included in the taxable sale price, so this tool lets you add them. Government registration and title fees are charged separately and are not subject to sales tax.

Is the registration fee included in this calculation?

No. This tool covers only the 5.5% sales and use tax. The annual registration fee, excise tax, and title fee are separate charges — use the Maine vehicle registration fee calculator to estimate those.

Maine Car Sales Tax Calculator

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When you buy a car in Maine, the state collects a 5.5 percent sales and use tax. Unlike many states, Maine has no local sales tax, so the rate is the same everywhere. A trade-in lowers what you pay, and this calculator handles that to show your exact tax and out-the-door price.

How it works

Maine taxes the net price of the vehicle. You start with the purchase price, add any taxable dealer fees, then subtract the trade-in allowance, and apply the flat 5.5 percent rate:

taxable = max(0, price + dealer_fees - trade_in)
sales_tax = taxable * 0.055
out_the_door = price + dealer_fees + sales_tax

There is no county or city portion in Maine, so 5.5 percent is the whole rate. The tax is collected by the dealer or, for private sales, at the BMV when you register.

Example

You buy a 30,000 dollar car, add 400 dollars of dealer doc fees, and trade in a vehicle worth 10,000 dollars. The taxable amount is 30,000 plus 400 minus 10,000, or 20,400 dollars. The tax is 5.5 percent of that, about 1,122 dollars.

Notes

This estimate covers sales and use tax only. Registration, excise, and title fees are separate. Rebates, manufacturer incentives, and exemptions (such as some transfers between family members) can change the taxable amount. Confirm with maine.gov/revenue and the Maine BMV.