Maryland Car Sales Tax Calculator Tax, title & license fees (2026)
Statewide titling excise tax (no local sales tax) · 6.5% state rate
Calculate Maryland car tax & fees
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How much is car sales tax in Maryland?
Maryland charges a 6.5% titling excise tax when you title a vehicle, and there's no county sales tax added. Every vehicle is taxed on at least $640, so the smallest possible tax is $41.60.
Take the purchase price, or the value the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) assigns, and use $640 if it comes out lower. Multiply by 6.5%. Rental vehicles are taxed at 3.5%, and contracts signed before July 1, 2025 used the old 6% rate.
The title certificate costs $200 ($100 for rentals). Registration is by weight and includes a $40-a-year emergency medical services surcharge: $120.50 a year up to 3,500 lb, $125.50 from 3,501 to 3,700 lb and $191.50 above that.
From October 1, 2026, residents who don't title within 60 days face a $7-a-day penalty, up to $420.
- Taxable = greater of price (or MVA valuation) and $640
- Tax = taxable x 6.5% (3.5% rental)
- Registration = annual fee by weight x years
- Total = tax + title + registration + ZEV surcharge + emissions + doc fee
Maryland car tax example with real numbers
Buying a car in Maryland
You buy a $3,400-lb sedan for $30,000.
- The price is above the $640 minimum, so the taxable value is $30,000.
- Excise tax: $30,000 × 6.5% = $1,950.
- Add the $200 title and one year of registration: $320.50.
- Estimated total: $2,270.50.
| Taxes | |
|---|---|
| Titling excise tax6.5% of $30,000.00 | $1,950 |
| Title & registration | |
| Title | $200 |
| Registration (1 year) | $120.50 |
| Estimated total | $2,270.50 |
Computed with the calculator on this page using the figures in our data. Local add-ons not mentioned in the example are left out.
Exceptions that change your Maryland tax bill
Family gifts
A gift between eligible immediate family members (form VR-103) owes no excise tax. The vehicle typically needs to be titled in Maryland already.
Inheritance
Transfers to immediate family through an estate generally owe no excise; confirm with the MVA.
New residents
Within 60 days of moving, a vehicle seven or more model years old pays the $41.60 minimum. Newer vehicles pay the difference after credit for tax paid elsewhere. If you moved more than 60 days ago, the full excise applies.
Re-titling by the end of 2026
According to an MVA update effective October 1, 2026, residents who re-title their vehicles in Maryland by December 31, 2026 are exempt from excise tax. Check the conditions with the MVA.
Maryland vehicle sales tax rates
| State rate | 6.5% |
|---|---|
| Rental rate | 3.5% |
| Legacy rate | 6% |
| Legacy note | 6% for contracts before 2025-07-01 |
| Minimum taxable value | $640 |
| Minimum tax | $41.60 |
| Local rate | 0% |
Maryland title & registration fees
| Title | $200 |
|---|---|
| Title rental | $100 |
| Title duplicate | $40 |
| Title corrected | $80 |
| Registration annual by weight |
|
| Registration note | Includes $40/yr EMS surcharge |
| ZEV plug-in hybrid surcharge | Varies |
| Emissions inspection | Varies |
| New resident days | $60 |
| Late title penalty per day | $7 |
| Late title penalty max | $420 |
| Late title penalty note | Effective 2026-10-01; applies when a resident does not title within 60 days |
| Nonresident permit | $27 |
| Nonresident permit military | $0 |
Maryland car tax exemptions & special cases
| Family gift (VR-103) | Excise $0; typically requires prior Maryland title |
|---|---|
| Inheritance by immediate family | Excise $0 (confirm with MVA) |
| New resident within 60 days, vehicle 7+ model years old | Flat $41.60 |
| New resident within 60 days, vehicle 6 or fewer model years | Pay difference after out-of-state credit |
| Moved more than 60 days ago | Full excise |
| Tax paid elsewhere | Credit against excise |
| Resident re-titling a vehicle in Maryland by 2026-12-31 | Excise tax exempt (MVA legislative update effective 2026-10-01; confirm eligibility with MVA) |
Maryland car tax FAQ
What is the minimum excise tax in Maryland?
$41.60: 6.5% of the $640 minimum taxable value.
Is there county sales tax on cars in Maryland?
No. The 6.5% excise is statewide.
How much is a Maryland title?
$200 for passenger vehicles and $100 for rentals.
What happens if I title late?
From October 1, 2026, a $7-a-day penalty applies after 60 days, up to $420.
Sources & verification
We checked these figures against the following official pages on October 7, 2026:
- mva.maryland.gov/title-registration/fees-payment-options
- mva.maryland.gov/title-registration/fees-payment-options/excise-tax
- mva.maryland.gov/news/new-motor-vehicle-registration-rates-fiscal-year-2025
- mva.maryland.gov/your-mva-guide/businesses/bulletins-businesses/legislative-update-effecti
Not yet confirmed on an official page: rental 3.5%, rental title 100, legacy 6%. Treat these figures as estimates.
What changed in our last review
- penalty $7/day for not titling within 60 days, max $420; non-resident permit $27 (military free); residents re-titling by 2026-12-31 exempt from excise
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll recheck it.