Maine Car Sales Tax Calculator
Maine charges 5.5% sales and use tax on a used car purchase, verified September 15, 2026. There is no local tax on top. 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.
On a $20,000 used car, Maine's tax, doc fee, title and registration come to $1,703: number 28 of 50 states, cheapest first. Every state compared
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 Maine 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 | Maine | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State rate (Sales and use tax) | 5.5% | legislature.maine.gov(state source)As published: “the rate of tax is 5.5% on the value of all tangible personal property and taxable services” |
| Local tax range | None | legislature.maine.gov(state source)As published: “the rate of tax is 5.5% on the value of all tangible personal property and taxable services” |
| Trade-in credit | Yes, full credit | legislature.maine.gov(state source)As published: “the tax imposed by this Part must be levied only upon the difference between the sale price of the purchased property and the trade-in allowance of the property taken in trade.” |
| Dealer doc fee | No cap (typically $535) | caredge.com(secondary, cites the statute)As published: “Maine: $535. This report is based on 93,200 verified out-the-door (OTD) price quotes collected between July 2025 and September 2026.” |
| Title fee | $33 | maine.gov(state source)As published: “You must pay a title application fee ($33), on vehicle models 25 years old and newer” |
| Registration (flat fee) | $35 | maine.gov(state source)As published: “PC | Passenger | $35” |
| Private-party sale taxed | Yes, paid when you title the car | legislature.maine.gov(state source)As published: “must be levied upon all casual rentals...and upon all casual sales...involving the sale of trailers, truck campers, motor vehicles, special mobile equipment, watercraft or aircraft.” |
- Local tax: Maine has no local sales taxes (Tax Foundation midyear 2026 table, fetched, lists a 0.00% max local rate); municipalities instead collect an annual excise tax at registration.
- Doc fee: CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Maine at $535.
- Registration: State passenger plate fee. Before registering, the town collects a municipal excise tax on MSRP at 24 mills in year 1, 17.5 in year 2, 13.5 in year 3, 10 in year 4, 6.5 in year 5 and 4 mills from year 6 (https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/property-tax/excise-tax, fetched), plus town agent fees.
Next steps
- Out-the-door price calculator: adds the Maine 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 Maine compares.
- All states: the full sales tax table.
- Cheapest vehicle history reports: Carfax, AutoCheck and the NMVTIS-approved alternatives compared, prices checked.
Tax is fixed. The price is not.
Buying a specific car in Maine? Run its VIN free for the specification and open recalls. From $2.99, see what it is worth at its mileage against cars for sale near your ZIP code. The $9.99 Negotiation Bundle adds an opening offer, a walk-away figure and the drive-away cost with Maine tax and fees.
Maine car tax questions
Does Maine charge sales tax on a private-party car sale?
Yes. The 5.5% tax on the purchase price is paid when the buyer registers the vehicle (BMV or town office).
Does Maine give a trade-in credit on car sales tax?
Yes. The value of your trade-in is deducted from the price before Maine tax is calculated.
What is the dealer doc fee cap in Maine?
Maine sets no legal cap on dealer doc fees. Dealers typically charge $535. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Maine at $535. If the dealer will not drop the fee, ask for the same amount off the price.
Do local sales taxes apply to car purchases in Maine?
No. Maine has no local sales taxes (Tax Foundation midyear 2026 table, fetched, lists a 0.00% max local rate); municipalities instead collect an annual excise tax at registration.
How much does a car title cost in Maine?
$33 (flat). Vehicles older than 25 model years are not titled.
How much is annual car registration in Maine?
$35 a year for a passenger car, flat fee. State passenger plate fee. Before registering, the town collects a municipal excise tax on MSRP at 24 mills in year 1, 17.5 in year 2, 13.5 in year 3, 10 in year 4, 6.5 in year 5 and 4 mills from year 6 (https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/property-tax/excise-tax, fetched), plus town agent fees.
Checking a specific car?