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What a vehicle purchase costs in Wisconsin, itemized and sourced.

Sales tax, title and registration for a vehicle registered in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin estimate is $1,799.50 in taxes and fees (wisconsin sales tax (5%) $1,500.00, title (original or transfer) $214.50, registration, automobile (1 year) $85.00).

Your purchase

Wisconsin
Price
Where you live
Choose your county first. If it lists cities or areas, a second menu appears so you can pick yours. The local rate then fills in below.
Pick your county. The county tax applies where the vehicle will be customarily kept.
Vehicle
Fuel

Estimate only. Not tax or legal advice. Confirm with your Wisconsin state agency before you pay.

Estimate / Wisconsin

Reviewed Oct 24, 2026

Total taxes and fees$1,799.50

Not the full cost. This total leaves out 1 item, listed below.

Price plus these items: $31,799.50.

Costs not in this total

  • Wheel tax (municipal or county registration fee). Some counties and municipalities charge a wheel tax based on where the vehicle is customarily kept. The amount varies and is not included.

Estimate for a $30,000 vehicle.See all sources

Sources

6 official pages, all opened Oct 24, 2026

  1. [1]
    Tax rates and sales tax rate chartSupports: State sales tax rate, Local tax, County and city sales tax rate (added to the 5% state rate)
    Wisconsin DOROpen page
  2. [2]
    Publication 201, Sales and use tax information (1/19)Supports: State sales tax rate, Trade-in rule, Tax paid to another state
    Wisconsin DOROpen page
  3. [3]
    DMV feesSupports: Title (original or transfer), Registration, automobile (1 year), Electric vehicle surcharge, Wheel tax (municipal or county registration fee)
    Wisconsin DMVOpen page
  4. [4]
    Fee schedule (registrations on or after Oct 1, 2025)Supports: Registration, automobile (1 year), Electric vehicle surcharge
    Wisconsin DMVOpen page
  5. [5]
    Purchase price and trade-in FAQSupports: Trade-in rule
    Wisconsin DMVOpen page
  6. [6]
    Fact Sheet 2113, used vehicles (Oct 2023)Supports: Local tax
    Wisconsin DOROpen page

What changed

1 change to Wisconsin's numbers or rules

  1. Oct 24, 2026Added state with the 5% sales tax, county rates for all 72 counties and the City of Milwaukee, title, registration and the electric vehicle surcharge. The wheel tax is not included.

How Wisconsin works out this bill

Wisconsin charges 5% state sales tax on a vehicle, plus a county tax of one half of a percent in most counties and a city tax in the City of Milwaukee. Title and registration fees are paid on top.

The state rate is 5%. A trade-in comes off the price before the tax is figured, as long as you trade in a product and not a service.

Source: Wisconsin DOR - Publication 201, Sales and use tax information (1/19)Wisconsin DMV - Purchase price and trade-in FAQ

Counties add their own tax where the vehicle will be kept, and the City of Milwaukee adds a city tax on top. Two counties have no county tax.

Source: Wisconsin DOR - Tax rates and sales tax rate chartWisconsin DOR - Fact Sheet 2113, used vehicles (Oct 2023)

Registration is paid each year. Electric vehicles pay a surcharge, and some counties and municipalities add a wheel tax that is not part of this total.

Source: Wisconsin DMV - Fee schedule (registrations on or after Oct 1, 2025)Wisconsin DMV - DMV fees

All figures this calculator uses (7)

Common questions

Does a trade-in lower the sales tax in Wisconsin?

Yes. The tax is figured on the price of the vehicle you buy less the amount allowed for the vehicle you trade in.

Source: Wisconsin DOR - Publication 201, Sales and use tax information (1/19)

Which county's tax do I pay?

The tax for the county where the vehicle will be customarily kept.

Source: Wisconsin DOR - Fact Sheet 2113, used vehicles (Oct 2023)

What if I paid sales tax in another state?

Wisconsin gives credit for sales or use tax properly paid to another state, up to the Wisconsin tax owed.

Source: Wisconsin DOR - Publication 201, Sales and use tax information (1/19)

Why is the wheel tax not in the total?

Some counties and municipalities charge it, and the amount depends on where the vehicle is kept, so it is shown as not included.

Source: Wisconsin DMV - DMV fees

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.

How we check numbers

Worked examples

Gas vehicle, no trade-in

$20,000 vehicle

$1,299.50

Wisconsin sales tax (5%) $1,000.00, Title (original or transfer) $214.50, Registration, automobile (1 year) $85.00.

Not included yet: Wheel tax (municipal or county registration fee).

Gas vehicle with a trade-in

$30,000 vehicle, $8,000 trade-in

$1,399.50

Tax is charged on $22,000, so the trade-in saves $400.00 in sales tax.

Not included yet: Wheel tax (municipal or county registration fee).

Electric vehicle

$45,000 vehicle

$2,724.50

Wisconsin sales tax (5%) $2,250.00, Title (original or transfer) $214.50, Registration, automobile (1 year) $85.00, Electric vehicle surcharge $175.00.

Not included yet: Wheel tax (municipal or county registration fee).

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

  • A $6 issuance fee applies to each license plate and is not included.
  • The wheel tax charged by some counties and municipalities is not included.
  • Hybrid vehicles pay a $75 surcharge that is not included.