Mississippi Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Mississippi costs $9 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $788 in total, with $750 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Mississippi title fees
These are the title-related fees in Mississippi's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $9 |
|---|---|
| Title fast track | $39 |
| Disabled veteran plate | $1 |
| Late renewal penalty | 5% for the first 15 days late, then +5% per 30 days, maximum 25% (no legislative tag credit at the maximum) |
| New resident late penalty | $250 |
| Registration deadline | 30 business days after purchase |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Mississippi
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Mississippi car tax calculator:
| Title | $9 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $750 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $14 |
| Privilege tax (if you register it now) | $15 |
| Estimated total | $788 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Mississippi charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: disabled veteran plate $1; late renewal penalty 5% for the first 15 days late, then +5% per 30 days, maximum 25% (no legislative tag credit at the maximum); new resident late penalty $250.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift / inheritance | Treatment varies; confirm with county tax collector |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Gift / inheritance | Treatment varies; confirm with county tax collector |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Mississippi
| Manufacturer rebate | Does not reduce the taxable base |
|---|---|
| Sales tax already collected by a Mississippi dealer | Not due again at the tag office |
| Renewal | No sales tax and no title |
| Out-of-state purchase | Mississippi use tax due in full; no credit for tax paid to another state |
| Disabled veteran | Ad valorem and privilege tax waived (limits apply); $1 plate |
How Mississippi works out what you owe
- Taxable base = price - trade-in
- Sales tax = taxable base x 5% (3% for qualifying heavy trucks)
- Assessed value = max($100, 30% x true value)
- Ad valorem = assessed value x mills / 1,000, minus any legislative tag credit
- Total = sales tax + title + registration + privilege tax + ad valorem + EV/hybrid fee + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Mississippi: www.dor.ms.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Mississippi?
The title fee is $9. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $788.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Mississippi?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Mississippi charges about $750. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Mississippi?
Yes. Disabled veteran plate: $1; Late renewal penalty: 5% for the first 15 days late, then +5% per 30 days, maximum 25% (no legislative tag credit at the maximum); New resident late penalty: $250.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Mississippi?
Gift / inheritance: Treatment varies; confirm with county tax collector.
What happens to a car title after a death in Mississippi?
Gift / inheritance: Treatment varies; confirm with county tax collector.