New Hampshire Car Sales Tax Calculator
New Hampshire charges no state sales tax on a used car purchase, verified September 15, 2026. There is no local tax on top. Private-party sales are not taxed.
Figures verified September 15, 2026; sources linked per row. Re-checked quarterly, next due December 15, 2026.
On a $20,000 used car, New Hampshire's tax, doc fee, title and registration come to $663: number 4 of 50 states, cheapest first. Every state compared
New Hampshire charges no state sales tax on a vehicle purchase.
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 New Hampshire 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 | New Hampshire | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State rate (None (New Hampshire has no sales tax)) | None | nheconomy.com(state source)As published: “No sales tax” |
| Local tax range | None | nheconomy.com(state source)As published: “No sales tax” |
| Trade-in credit | No state tax to credit | nheconomy.com(state source)As published: “No sales tax” |
| Dealer doc fee | No cap (typically $586) | caredge.com(secondary, cites the statute)As published: “New Hampshire: $586. This report is based on 93,200 verified out-the-door (OTD) price quotes collected between July 2025 and September 2026.” |
| Title fee | $35 | law.justia.com(secondary, cites the statute)As published: “(b) For a certificate of title after a transfer, with or without a lienholder named, $35;” |
| Registration (flat plus value or weight) | $42 to $66 | law.justia.com(secondary, cites the statute)As published: “0-3000 lbs. $42 ($3.50 per month) 3001-5000 lbs. $48 ($4 per month) 5001-8000 lbs. $66 ($5.50 per month)” |
| Private-party sale taxed | No | nheconomy.com(state source)As published: “No sales tax” |
- Local tax: No state or local sales tax on vehicle purchases; the value-based charge New Hampshire drivers pay is the annual municipal permit fee at registration, captured under registration (not verified in this task).
- Trade-in: Not applicable: there is no sales tax on vehicle purchases, so a trade-in has no tax effect.
- Doc fee: The dealer administration (services) fee is uncapped. Cars.com (January 31, 2018) reports that New Hampshire defines 'documentary fees' narrowly as those used to process titles and paperwork with the state and caps them at $27, while dealers may charge separate uncapped administrative fees. HB 1243 (RSA 361-A, effective July 1, 2024) clarified that documentary fees may only be lawful fees paid to public officers for filing or recording. CarEdge, as of September 2026: average $586 from 482 verified quotes across 98 dealers. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in New Hampshire at $586.
- Registration: State fee by weight from January 1, 2026: $42 (up to 3,000 lb), $48 (3,001 to 5,000 lb), $66 (5,001 to 8,000 lb). On top: the town permit fee of 18, 15, 12, 9, 6, then 3 mills per dollar of the maker's list price by model-year age (minimum $5, RSA 261:153), and an $8 first plate fee. (checked October 4, 2026)
Next steps
- Out-the-door price calculator: adds the New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire? 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 New Hampshire tax and fees.
New Hampshire car tax questions
Does New Hampshire charge sales tax on a private-party car sale?
No. No sales tax is due on a private-party purchase; the buyer pays only title and registration charges when registering the vehicle.
Does New Hampshire give a trade-in credit on car sales tax?
We could not verify the trade-in rule against a New Hampshire state page on September 15, 2026. Check the state DMV or revenue department before you sign.
What is the dealer doc fee cap in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire sets no legal cap on dealer doc fees. Dealers typically charge $586. The dealer administration (services) fee is uncapped. Cars.com (January 31, 2018) reports that New Hampshire defines 'documentary fees' narrowly as those used to process titles and paperwork with the state and caps them at $27, while dealers may charge separate uncapped administrative fees. HB 1243 (RSA 361-A, effective July 1, 2024) clarified that documentary fees may only be lawful fees paid to public officers for filing or recording. CarEdge, as of September 2026: average $586 from 482 verified quotes across 98 dealers. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in New Hampshire at $586. 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 New Hampshire?
No. No state or local sales tax on vehicle purchases; the value-based charge New Hampshire drivers pay is the annual municipal permit fee at registration, captured under registration (not verified in this task).
How much does a car title cost in New Hampshire?
$35 (flat). RSA 261:20, raised from $25 from January 1, 2026. (checked October 4, 2026)
How much is annual car registration in New Hampshire?
$42 to $66 a year for a passenger car, flat plus value or weight. State fee by weight from January 1, 2026: $42 (up to 3,000 lb), $48 (3,001 to 5,000 lb), $66 (5,001 to 8,000 lb). On top: the town permit fee of 18, 15, 12, 9, 6, then 3 mills per dollar of the maker's list price by model-year age (minimum $5, RSA 261:153), and an $8 first plate fee. (checked October 4, 2026)
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