Arkansas Car Sales Tax Calculator
Arkansas charges 6.5% gross receipts (sales) and use tax on motor vehicles, paid to dfa at registration on a used car purchase, verified September 15, 2026. Local taxes also apply; the range is not verified. A trade-in is deducted before tax. Private-party sales are taxed too, paid when you title the car.
Figures verified September 15, 2026; sources linked per row. Re-checked quarterly, next due December 15, 2026.
Vehicles priced under $4,000 are exempt from Arkansas state sales tax, and used vehicles from $4,000 to under $10,000 pay a reduced state rate under Ark. Code 26-52-324 (with no trade-in deduction in that bracket). The calculator applies the full 6.5% state rate, so it overstates the tax on cars under $10,000.
Taxable amount: $25,000. Tax only; dealer doc fees, title and registration are separate, and some states tax the doc fee as part of the price. The local figure is an estimate from the state's published range unless you entered your own rate.
The Arkansas numbers, with sources
Each figure below was checked on September 15, 2026 against the page linked in the source column, and the wording the state uses is quoted so you can confirm it yourself.
| Item | Arkansas | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State rate (Gross receipts (sales) and use tax on motor vehicles, paid to DFA at registration) | 6.5% | dfa.arkansas.gov(state source)As published: “State Sales and Use Tax - 07/01/2013 - 6.500%” |
| Local tax range | Yes, range not verified on the first $2,500 | dfa.arkansas.gov(state source)As published: “State Sales and Use Tax - 07/01/2013 - 6.500%” |
| Trade-in credit | Yes, full credit | codeofarrules.arkansas.gov(state source)As published: “Sales or use tax will be due on the difference between the total gross receipts or gross proceeds for the motor vehicle and any credit resulting from the trade in of any used motor vehicle or trailer.” |
| Dealer doc fee | $129 cap | labor.arkansas.gov(state source)As published: “The amount that an Arkansas dealer may charge for Dealer Service and Handling Fees, allowed by A.C.A. 23-112-317(d) is not to exceed $129.00.” |
| Title fee | $10 | dfa.arkansas.gov(state source)As published: “Title fee $10.00” |
| Registration (by weight) | $17 to $30 | dfa.arkansas.gov(state source)As published: “Passenger cars and motor homes 3,000 Pounds or Less $17.00 $2.50 ... Passenger cars and motor homes 3,001 - 4,500 Pounds $25.00 $2.50 ... Passenger cars and motor homes 4,501 Pounds and Over $30.00 $2.50” |
| Private-party sale taxed | Yes, paid when you title the car | codeofarrules.arkansas.gov(state source)As published: “Tax due on vehicles and trailers that are required by Arkansas law to be registered and licensed for use on public streets and highways shall be paid by the purchaser at the time of registration and application for certification of title.” |
- State rate: Vehicles priced under $4,000 are exempt from Arkansas state sales tax, and used vehicles from $4,000 to under $10,000 pay a reduced state rate under Ark. Code 26-52-324 (with no trade-in deduction in that bracket). The calculator applies the full 6.5% state rate, so it overstates the tax on cars under $10,000.
- Local tax: Local (city and county) sales or use tax is determined by the location indicated at registration and title application, and applies only to the first $2,500 of the vehicle price (so at most $25 per 1 percent of local rate).
- Doc fee: The Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission sets the dealer service and handling fee by rule at not less than $0 and not more than $129; Rule 8 fixes the maximum at $129 and it must be charged uniformly to all retail customers.
- Registration: Passenger cars: 3,000 lb or less $17; 3,001 to 4,500 lb $25; 4,501 lb and over $30; each plus a $2.50 validation decal fee. Hybrids $50 and electric vehicles $100 on the same schedule.
Next steps
- Out-the-door price calculator: adds the Arkansas doc fee, title and registration to the tax for the full figure.
- Dealer doc fees by state and registration and title fees by state: see how Arkansas compares.
- All states: the full sales tax table.
Tax is fixed. The price is not.
CarWorthIt prices a specific VIN at its mileage against cars actually for sale near your ZIP code from $2.99. The $9.99 Negotiation Bundle adds an opening offer and a walk-away figure, so the number Arkansas taxes is the right one.
Arkansas car tax questions
Does Arkansas charge sales tax on a private-party car sale?
Yes. The buyer pays the state and local tax to the DFA revenue office at the time of registration and application for title; dealers and private sellers do not collect it. If documentation is insufficient, taxable proceeds are presumed to be the greater of the actual sales price or the NADA average loan value.
Does Arkansas give a trade-in credit on car sales tax?
Yes. The value of your trade-in is deducted from the price before Arkansas tax is calculated.
What is the dealer doc fee cap in Arkansas?
Arkansas caps the dealer documentation fee at $129 (Ark. Code Ann. 23-112-317(c)(1)). The Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission sets the dealer service and handling fee by rule at not less than $0 and not more than $129; Rule 8 fixes the maximum at $129 and it must be charged uniformly to all retail customers.
Do local sales taxes apply to car purchases in Arkansas?
Yes. Local (city and county) sales or use tax is determined by the location indicated at registration and title application, and applies only to the first $2,500 of the vehicle price (so at most $25 per 1 percent of local rate).
How much does a car title cost in Arkansas?
$10 (flat). Same schedule: 'Lien filing fee .50' and 'Tag transfer fee to another vehicle $1.00'.
How much is annual car registration in Arkansas?
$17 to $30 a year for a passenger car, by weight. Passenger cars: 3,000 lb or less $17; 3,001 to 4,500 lb $25; 4,501 lb and over $30; each plus a $2.50 validation decal fee. Hybrids $50 and electric vehicles $100 on the same schedule.
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