Gas vehicle, no trade-in
$20,000 vehicle
$1,385.00
Massachusetts sales tax (6.25%) $1,250.00, Certificate of title $75.00, Registration, 2 years (passenger) $60.00.
Not included yet: Motor vehicle excise tax.
What a vehicle purchase costs in Massachusetts, itemized and sourced.
Sales tax, title and registration for a vehicle registered in Massachusetts. Every line cites the page it came from and the day we opened it.
On a $30,000.00 gas vehicle with no trade-in, the Massachusetts estimate is $2,010.00 in taxes and fees (massachusetts sales tax (6.25%) $1,875.00, certificate of title $75.00, registration, 2 years (passenger) $60.00).
Estimate / Massachusetts
Reviewed Oct 24, 2026
- Massachusetts sales tax (6.25%)[1] source[2] source$1,875.00
- Certificate of title[3] source[2] source$75.00
- Registration, 2 years (passenger)[3] source$60.00
Total taxes and fees$2,010.00
Not the full cost. This total leaves out 1 item, listed below.
Price plus these items: $32,010.00.
Costs not in this total
- Motor vehicle excise tax. Billed every year by your city or town, so it is not included.
Sources
- [1]Motor vehicle and trailer sales and use tax (page dated Sept 2022)Supports: State sales tax rate, Trade-in rule, Local tax, Tax paid to another state
- [2]Registration and title for a vehicle purchased from an individualSupports: State sales tax rate, Certificate of title, Motor vehicle excise tax
- [3]Schedule of fees (rev. May 2025)Supports: Certificate of title, Registration, 2 years (passenger)
- [4]Directive 02-4: trade-in allowance on purchase of a motor vehicleSupports: Trade-in rule
What changed
- Oct 24, 2026Added state with the 6.25% sales tax, title fee and two-year registration. The yearly excise tax billed by your city or town is not included.
How Massachusetts works out this bill
Massachusetts charges 6.25% sales tax on a vehicle, a title fee and a two-year registration fee. Your city or town then bills a separate excise tax each year.
The sales tax rate is 6.25%. When you buy from a registered dealer, the trade-in amount comes off the price before the tax is figured. A private sale gets no trade-in reduction.
Source: Massachusetts DOR - Motor vehicle and trailer sales and use tax (page dated Sept 2022)Massachusetts DOR - Directive 02-4: trade-in allowance on purchase of a motor vehicle
The standard passenger registration lasts two years. Electric vehicles pay the same fee as other passenger vehicles.
Source: Massachusetts RMV - Schedule of fees (rev. May 2025)
The yearly excise tax is separate from the sales tax. Your city or town sends the bill, and it is not part of this total.
Source: Massachusetts RMV - Registration and title for a vehicle purchased from an individual
All figures this calculator uses (6)
- State sales tax rate6.25%VerifiedMassachusetts DOR - Motor vehicle and trailer sales and use tax (page dated Sept 2022)Massachusetts RMV - Registration and title for a vehicle purchased from an individual
- Trade-in reduces taxable priceYesVerifiedApplies to a purchase from a registered dealer. A private sale gets no reduction for a trade-in.Massachusetts DOR - Motor vehicle and trailer sales and use tax (page dated Sept 2022)Massachusetts DOR - Directive 02-4: trade-in allowance on purchase of a motor vehicle
- Local taxNoneCheck sourceThe state page describes one 6.25% sales and use tax and no local sales tax. A separate yearly excise tax is billed by your city or town and is not included.Massachusetts DOR - Motor vehicle and trailer sales and use tax (page dated Sept 2022)
- Certificate of title$75VerifiedMassachusetts RMV - Schedule of fees (rev. May 2025)Massachusetts RMV - Registration and title for a vehicle purchased from an individual
- Registration, 2 years (passenger)$60VerifiedStandard passenger plate. Electric vehicles pay the same $60 every two years. Vanity plates cost more.Massachusetts RMV - Schedule of fees (rev. May 2025)
- Motor vehicle excise taxUnknownNot verifiedMassachusetts RMV - Registration and title for a vehicle purchased from an individual
Common questions
Does a trade-in lower the sales tax in Massachusetts?
Yes, when you buy from a registered dealer. A private sale gets no reduction for a trade-in.
Source: Massachusetts DOR - Motor vehicle and trailer sales and use tax (page dated Sept 2022)
What if I bought the car in another state?
If you bring it in within a short period of buying it, you owe use tax on the difference between the Massachusetts rate and the tax you paid, when the other state gives a matching credit.
Source: Massachusetts DOR - Motor vehicle and trailer sales and use tax (page dated Sept 2022)
Why is the excise tax not in the total?
Your city or town bills it separately each year, so it is shown as not included.
Source: Massachusetts RMV - Registration and title for a vehicle purchased from an individual
How often is this page updated?
The data on this page was last reviewed on Oct 24, 2026. Pages get a changed-page check each month and a full re-verification each January and July.
Worked examples
Gas vehicle with a trade-in
$30,000 vehicle, $8,000 trade-in
$1,510.00
Tax is charged on $22,000, so the trade-in saves $500.00 in sales tax.
Not included yet: Motor vehicle excise tax.
Gas vehicle, no trade-in
$50,000 vehicle
$3,260.00
Massachusetts sales tax (6.25%) $3,125.00, Certificate of title $75.00, Registration, 2 years (passenger) $60.00.
Not included yet: Motor vehicle excise tax.
Each example runs the same calculation as the calculator above. Local tax and county fees are left out unless the example says otherwise, because they depend on where you live. Estimates only.
What this calculator does not cover
- The yearly motor vehicle excise tax is billed by your city or town and is not included.
- The trade-in reduction applies to purchases from a registered dealer.