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Kentucky Car Sales Tax Calculator

The Kentucky car sales tax calculator applies the state's 6% motor vehicle usage tax to the price after your trade-in allowance. Kentucky's trade-in credit works the other way around from most states: it applies to a used vehicle, not a new one. Enter your numbers to see the estimate.

Calculate Your Kentucky Car Sales Tax

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The selling price on your buyer’s order.

What the dealer credits you.

State
KentuckyChange state

Condition

Kentucky's usage tax applies to the total consideration paid for the vehicle, which includes dealer fees.

Advanced options

Enter your own amounts where you know them. They replace our estimates.

Replaces the state estimate.

Replaces the state estimate.

Plates, inspections, add-ons.

Estimate only

Estimated out-the-door price

$0.00

Enter a vehicle price to see your estimate.

Vehicle price
$0.00
Trade-in
—
Taxable amount
$0.00
State sales tax (6%)
$0.00
Title fee
$0.00
Registration fee
$0.00
Dealer / documentation fee
—
Estimated total
$0.00
How this estimate was calculated

    Estimates are for informational purposes only. Actual taxes and fees may vary based on your location, vehicle, transaction and current state rules.

    Estimated Kentucky Car Sales Tax

    State rate6%
    Local taxNone on vehicles
    Trade-inUsed vehicles only
    Dealer feeTaxed with the price; limit not confirmed

    Kentucky charges a 6% motor vehicle usage tax on a vehicle purchase, which is $1,500.00 on a $25,000 purchase with no trade-in. It is collected by your county clerk when you title the vehicle, not by the dealer.

    Kentucky's trade-in rule is the reverse of most states that treat new and used vehicles differently: a like-kind trade-in credit is allowed when buying a used vehicle, but is not available for the usage tax on a new vehicle.

    There is no city or county sales tax on a vehicle in Kentucky, so the 6% state rate is the whole rate. Kentucky also charges a separate annual motor vehicle property tax, based on the vehicle's value, which is not part of this one-time usage tax.

    Kentucky Car Title and Registration Fees

    Title and registration fees in Kentucky are collected by your county clerk rather than a single statewide schedule, so we have not added flat figures; enter your own amounts under Advanced options once your county clerk gives you a total.

    FeeAmountNotes
    Title feeTitleVariesSet by your county clerk. Contact your county clerk's office, then enter your amount under Advanced options.
    Registration feeRegistrationVariesSet by your county clerk. Contact your county clerk's office, then enter your amount under Advanced options.
    Dealer documentation feeSet by the dealerVariesWe have not confirmed a specific Kentucky dollar limit on the dealer documentation fee.

    How Kentucky Car Sales Tax Is Calculated

    1. Start with the purchase price on your invoice.
    2. If the vehicle is used, subtract your like-kind trade-in credit. If it is new, do not subtract a trade-in.
    3. Multiply the result by the state rate of 6%.
    4. Add your county clerk's title and registration fees to reach your out-the-door price.

    Kentucky also charges a separate annual motor vehicle property tax, assessed on the vehicle's value; for a non-historic vehicle the state portion is 45 cents per $100 of value. It is billed separately from the one-time usage tax and is not included in this estimate.

    Because Kentucky's trade-in credit applies to a used vehicle and not a new one, switch the Condition option above to match your purchase so the estimate follows the right rule. Contact your county clerk for the exact title and registration total. Read how a trade-in affects sales tax to see how Kentucky compares with other states.

    Example Kentucky Car Sales Tax Calculation

    The trade-in credit applies here because the example is a used-vehicle purchase; it would not apply on a new vehicle.

    Vehicle price$25,000.00
    Trade-in−$5,000.00
    Taxable amount$20,000.00
    State sales tax (6%)$1,200.00
    Title feeNot included
    Registration feeNot included
    Estimated total$21,200.00

    This is an illustration, not a quote.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky Car Sales Tax

    What is the car sales tax rate in Kentucky?

    Kentucky charges a 6% motor vehicle usage tax on a vehicle purchase, collected by your county clerk when you title the vehicle. There is no additional city or county tax.

    Does a trade-in reduce Kentucky's usage tax?

    Only on a used vehicle. Kentucky allows a like-kind trade-in credit when you buy a used vehicle, but the credit is not available for usage tax on a new vehicle.

    Is the dealer processing fee taxed in Kentucky?

    The usage tax applies to the total consideration paid for the vehicle. We have not confirmed a specific dollar limit on the dealer documentation fee.

    How much are title and registration in Kentucky?

    They are set and collected by your county clerk rather than a single statewide fee. Contact your county clerk's office, or check with them when you title the vehicle, for the exact amount.

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