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Michigan Car Sales Tax Calculator Tax, title & license fees (2026)

Statewide sales/use tax (no local sales tax) · 6% state rate

Partially verified By Abdel · Checked against official sources on October 7, 2026 · Data as of September 5, 2026

Calculate Michigan car tax & fees

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How much is car sales tax in Michigan?

Michigan charges a flat 6% sales or use tax on vehicles, with no local tax. The registration fee is the part that surprises people: for 1984 and newer cars it's based on the vehicle's original list price (MSRP), not what you paid.

For a dealer sale, the taxable amount is the price minus your trade-in and any rebate. For other transfers, Michigan taxes the higher of the price or the vehicle's retail value.

Registration comes from an MSRP chart: $36 for a list price up to $6,000, rising in steps to $178 at $30,000, then $6 more for each additional $1,000. Traffic and transportation add-ons of $8 are included. The amount drops as the car goes through renewals.

A title costs $15, plus $15 more if you apply more than 15 days after the sale. A new plate is $5. Electric vehicles pay a $267 surcharge and plug-in hybrids $113 (light vehicles). Ordinary hybrids pay nothing extra.

  1. Dealer: taxable = price - trade-in - rebate
  2. Private: taxable = greater of price or fair market value (no trade-in)
  3. Tax = taxable x 6%
  4. Registration from MSRP bracket + add-ons
  5. Total = tax + title + registration + plate + EV/PHEV surcharge + passport + doc fee

Michigan car tax example with real numbers

New car with a higher MSRP

You buy a new car for $31,000 (MSRP $33,000), trade in your old one for $6,000 and receive a $1,000 rebate.

  1. Taxable amount: $31,000 − $6,000 − $1,000 = $24,000.
  2. Sales tax: $24,000 × 6% = $1,440.
  3. Registration: $33,000 is $3,000 over $30,000, so $178 + 3 × $6 = $196, plus $8 add-ons = $204.
  4. With the $15 title and $5 plate, the estimated total is $1,664.
Taxes
Sales/use tax6% of $24,000.00$1,440
Title & registration
Title$15
New plate$5
Registration (from MSRP)$204
Estimated total$1,664

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 Michigan tax bill

Transfers to listed relatives

No use tax is due for transfers to a spouse, parent, sibling, child, step-relative, grandparent, grandchild, or legal ward or guardian. The Department of Treasury makes the final decision and may ask for proof.

Gifts to anyone else

A gift to someone not on the relative list is treated as taxable.

Inheritance

An heir taking title alone owes no tax. Adding a non-family co-owner at inheritance makes the transfer taxable at 6%.

Michigan vehicle sales tax rates

State rate6%
Local rate0%

Michigan title & registration fees

Title$15
Late title$15
Late title noteOver 15 days after sale
Plate
  • New $5
  • Transfer same class $10
  • Transfer higher class 10 + proration
  • Transfer lower class $15
  • Transfer family $10
Registration 1,984 and up
  • Basis MSRP bracket
  • MSRP brackets
    Show all 25 rows
    • Up to 6,000: $36
    • Up to 7,000: $40
    • Up to 8,000: $46
    • Up to 9,000: $52
    • Up to 10,000: $58
    • Up to 11,000: $64
    • Up to 12,000: $70
    • Up to 13,000: $76
    • Up to 14,000: $82
    • Up to 15,000: $88
    • Up to 16,000: $94
    • Up to 17,000: $100
    • Up to 18,000: $106
    • Up to 19,000: $112
    • Up to 20,000: $118
    • Up to 21,000: $124
    • Up to 22,000: $130
    • Up to 23,000: $136
    • Up to 24,000: $142
    • Up to 25,000: $148
    • Up to 26,000: $154
    • Up to 27,000: $160
    • Up to 28,000: $166
    • Up to 29,000: $172
    • Up to 30,000: $178
  • Over 30,000 $178 + $6 per $1,000 (or part) over $30,000
  • Renewal reduction 10% per renewal level, up to 3 levels
  • Addons
    • Traffic $2.25
    • Tacf $5.75
Registration pre 1,984 by weightWeight-based schedule
EV surcharge
  • Light $267
  • Heavy over 8,000 lb $367
Plug-in hybrid surcharge
  • Light $113
  • Heavy over 8,000 lb $183
Recreation passport
  • 1-year $15
  • 2-year $29
  • Motorcycle $7

Michigan car tax exemptions & special cases

Gift to a listed relativeUse tax $0 (Treasury decides)
Gift to non-listed personTaxable
Inheritance by heir taking title aloneTax $0
Non-family co-owner added at inheritance6% tax
Ordinary hybridsNo EV surcharge

Michigan car tax FAQ

Why is my Michigan registration so expensive?

For 1984 and newer passenger vehicles, the fee is based on the original MSRP, so a car with a higher list price pays more regardless of what you paid.

Is there local sales tax on cars in Michigan?

No. It's 6% statewide.

What's the late title fee?

$15 if you apply more than 15 days after the sale.

Do hybrids pay Michigan's EV surcharge?

No. Only battery-electric vehicles ($267) and plug-in hybrids ($113) pay it, for light vehicles.

Sources & verification

We checked these figures against the following official pages on October 7, 2026:

Not yet confirmed on an official page: MSRP bracket table; heavy EV/PHEV 367/183; recreation passport. Treat these figures as estimates.

Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll recheck it.

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