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Wisconsin Car Sales Tax Calculator

The Wisconsin car sales tax calculator applies the state's 5% sales tax to the price after your trade-in allowance, plus the county sales tax where the vehicle will be kept. Enter your numbers to see the estimate.

Calculate Your Wisconsin Car Sales Tax

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The selling price on your buyer’s order.

What the dealer credits you.

State
WisconsinChange state

Most Wisconsin counties charge a 0.5% county sales tax; Milwaukee County charges 0.9%. It is based on where the vehicle is customarily kept, not where you buy it. Look up your county first: DOR County Sales Tax FAQ

Condition

Wisconsin's electronic dealer service fee for submitting a title/registration application is not part of the taxable sales price.

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Replaces the state estimate.

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Plates, inspections, add-ons.

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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 (5%)
$0.00
Local sales tax
$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 Wisconsin Car Sales Tax

    State rate5%
    Local taxVaries by location
    Trade-inLowers taxable price
    Dealer feeNot taxed; not capped by the state

    Wisconsin charges 5% state sales tax on a vehicle purchase, which is $1,250.00 on a $25,000 purchase with no trade-in.

    Most counties add their own 0.5% county sales tax on top; 70 of Wisconsin's 72 counties currently charge it. Milwaukee County is a notable exception at 0.9% instead of 0.5%. The county that applies is the one where the vehicle is customarily kept, not necessarily where you buy it.

    The taxable price is the difference between the price of the vehicle and the trade-in allowance, so a trade-in lowers what you pay tax on.

    Wisconsin Car Title and Registration Fees

    Wisconsin's title fee is $214.50 for an original title or title transfer, and the standard passenger automobile registration fee is $85.

    FeeAmountNotes
    Title feeTitle$214.50The fee for an original title or a title transfer.
    Registration feeRegistration$85.00The standard annual fee for a passenger automobile.
    Dealer documentation feeSet by the dealerVariesThe fee dealers charge for submitting an electronic title/registration application is not included in the taxable sales price. We have not confirmed a state dollar cap on other dealer documentation fees.

    How Wisconsin Car Sales Tax Is Calculated

    1. Start with the purchase price.
    2. Subtract your trade-in allowance.
    3. Multiply the result by the state rate of 5%.
    4. Add your county's sales tax: most counties charge 0.5%, Milwaukee County charges 0.9%, and the rest charge none, based on where the vehicle is customarily kept.
    5. Add the $214.50 title fee and the $85 registration fee to reach your out-the-door price.

    A motor vehicle dealer cannot submit your Wisconsin title or registration application until it has collected the sales and use tax due, so the tax is paid at the point of sale rather than separately.

    Wisconsin's county tax is one of a small set of known rates (0%, 0.5%, or 0.9% in Milwaukee County), not a rate you have to look up city by city, so check which of those applies to where you keep the vehicle. Read how a trade-in affects sales tax to see how Wisconsin compares with other states.

    Example Wisconsin Car Sales Tax Calculation

    This example assumes a 0.5% county sales tax, which applies in most Wisconsin counties.

    Vehicle price$25,000.00
    Trade-in−$5,000.00
    Taxable amount$20,000.00
    State sales tax (5%)$1,000.00
    Local tax (0.5%)$100.00
    Title fee$214.50
    Registration fee$85.00
    Estimated total$21,399.50

    This is an illustration, not a quote.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Car Sales Tax

    What is the car sales tax rate in Wisconsin?

    Wisconsin charges 5% state sales tax on a vehicle purchase, plus a county sales tax based on where the vehicle is kept: 0.5% in most counties, 0.9% in Milwaukee County, or none in the few counties that have not adopted it.

    Does a trade-in reduce Wisconsin sales tax?

    Yes. Tax is charged on the difference between the vehicle's price and the trade-in allowance.

    Which county rate applies to my Wisconsin car purchase?

    The rate for the county where you will customarily keep the vehicle, not the county where the dealer is located.

    How much are title and registration in Wisconsin?

    The title fee is $214.50, and the standard annual registration fee for a passenger automobile is $85.

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