Louisiana Car Sales Tax Calculator
Louisiana charges 5% state sales and use tax on motor vehicles (collected by the office of motor vehicles) on a used car purchase, verified September 15, 2026. Local taxes add 1.85% to 7% depending on where you register the car. 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.
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 Louisiana 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 | Louisiana | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State rate (State sales and use tax on motor vehicles (collected by the Office of Motor Vehicles)) | 5% | revenue.louisiana.gov(state source)As published: “Sales Tax: 4.45% ... 5%* ... *Until 12/31/2029” |
| Local tax range | 1.85% to 7% | revenue.louisiana.gov(state source)As published: “Sales Tax: 4.45% ... 5%* ... *Until 12/31/2029” |
| Trade-in credit | Yes, full credit | public.powerdms.com(state source)As published: “a full credit for the value of the trade vehicle will be applied towards the purchase of the new vehicle.” |
| Dealer doc fee | $436 cap | lmvc.la.gov(state source)As published: “Effective immediately, for calendar year 2026, the adjusted maximum Documentary Fee authorized by La. R.S. 6:969.18 (A) (2) is $436.” |
| Title fee | $68.50 | expresslane.la.gov(state source)As published: “Title Fee: $68.50” |
| Registration (by value) | $20+ | expresslane.la.gov(state source)As published: “0.1% of the value of the vehicle per year, with a minimum base of $10,000 ... sold in two-year increments, therefore the minimum price is $20.00” |
| Private-party sale taxed | Yes, paid when you title the car | legis.la.gov(state source)As published: “Isolated or occasional sales of vehicles shall be subject to the tax.” |
- Local tax: Parish and municipal sales tax is added at the rate for the purchaser's domicile, not the dealer's location, and is paid to OMV together with the state tax (R.S. 47:303(B): in the political subdivision of the principal residence of the purchaser if the vehicle is purchased for private use).
- Doc fee: R.S. 6:969.18(A)(2) sets a $425 base maximum, adjusted each January 1 from 2026 by CPI-U (capped at 3% a year), verified by the Legislative Auditor and published by the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission. The published 2026 maximum is $436.
- Registration: Passenger plate fee is 0.1% of the vehicle's value per year, issued for two years, with a $10,000 minimum value so the minimum is $20 per two-year period ($10 a year). Plate transfer is $3.00. Electric vehicles pay a $110 and hybrids a $60 annual road usage fee.
Next steps
- Out-the-door price calculator: adds the Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana taxes is the right one.
Louisiana car tax questions
Does Louisiana charge sales tax on a private-party car sale?
Yes. Paid to the Office of Motor Vehicles (as agent of the collector of revenue) when the buyer applies for title or registration; LDR says tax is payable by the 40th day after the sale.
Does Louisiana give a trade-in credit on car sales tax?
Yes. The value of your trade-in is deducted from the price before Louisiana tax is calculated.
What is the dealer doc fee cap in Louisiana?
Louisiana caps the dealer documentation fee at $436 (La. R.S. 6:969.18(A)(2)). R.S. 6:969.18(A)(2) sets a $425 base maximum, adjusted each January 1 from 2026 by CPI-U (capped at 3% a year), verified by the Legislative Auditor and published by the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission. The published 2026 maximum is $436.
Do local sales taxes apply to car purchases in Louisiana?
Yes. Parish and municipal sales tax is added at the rate for the purchaser's domicile, not the dealer's location, and is paid to OMV together with the state tax (R.S. 47:303(B): in the political subdivision of the principal residence of the purchaser if the vehicle is purchased for private use).
How much does a car title cost in Louisiana?
$68.50 (flat). An $8.00 handling fee also applies to each transaction. Lien (mortgage) recordation is $15.00 with a UCC form or $10.00 otherwise.
How much is annual car registration in Louisiana?
$20+ a year for a passenger car, by value. Passenger plate fee is 0.1% of the vehicle's value per year, issued for two years, with a $10,000 minimum value so the minimum is $20 per two-year period ($10 a year). Plate transfer is $3.00. Electric vehicles pay a $110 and hybrids a $60 annual road usage fee.
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