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How much is sales tax on a car in Maine?
Maine car sales tax guide
Short answer: Maine charges 5.5% state tax on vehicle purchases, about $1,650 on a $30,000 car. Source: state revenue/DMV rules, checked October 28, 2026; local taxes and fees may add.
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Start my dealVehicle purchases taxed at the state general sales tax rate only (0% county or municipal auto sales tax on vehicle purchases). Doc fee taxability rule (Maine Revenue Services Instructional Bulletin No. 24 — Vehicle Dealers (36 M.R.S. § 1752(14)(A))): "processing fees" or "documentation fees" are part of the vehicle sale price and subject to sales tax. Rebates and add-ons aren't modeled.
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Maine car sales tax, at a glance: 5.5% state tax on vehicle purchases. Vehicle purchases taxed at the state general sales tax rate only (0% county or municipal auto sales tax on vehicle purchases). Trade-in credit: allowed. A $30,000 car owes about $1,650 in state tax, or $1,100 with a $10,000 trade-in.
Statutory Status: Reviewed. Base sales tax: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of October 28, 2026. Vehicle rules: Best-effort, checked October 28, 2026.
Leasing or getting a rebate in Maine?
Leases and rebates change the tax line on your quote. Here is how Maine handles each, in plain English, with the official source for each. Compare it to the tax on your dealer's worksheet.
Leasing in Maine
Tax up front on the total of payments · 5.5%
5.5% up front on total payments plus cash down (incl. rebates) plus trade equity; trade-in credit does not apply to long-term leases.
Source: Maine Revenue Services Instructional Bulletin 24 (rev. 2025-12-22); 36 M.R.S. § 1752(14)(A)(5) (checked Oct. 20, 2026)
Manufacturer rebates in Maine
Taxed on the price before the rebate
Manufacturer rebates cannot be deducted from the sale price, even if assigned to the dealer.
Estimate: a $1,000 rebate adds about $55 in state tax (state rate only; local tax can add more).
Source: Maine Revenue Services Instructional Bulletin 24 (checked Oct. 21, 2026)
Best pick for your situation
If you have a car to sell: trade it in at the dealer when the private-sale price is less than $550 higher. Maine gives a trade-in credit, so a $10,000 trade cuts state tax on a $30,000 car from $1,650 to $1,100. If a private buyer would pay more than $10,000 + $550, selling privately comes out ahead.
The math:
- $30,000 car, no trade-in: $1,650 state tax at 5.5%
- $30,000 car, $10,000 trade-in: $1,100 state tax (trade-in rule: allowed)
- Maine charges a statewide rate only (0% county or municipal auto sales tax on vehicle purchases; the local rate field stays at 0%).
Sources: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates) (October 28, 2026); vehicle rules best-effort from state DMV/revenue (Best-effort, checked October 28, 2026).
A situational guide based on published state tax and fee rules, not legal or financial advice. VaultRubric accepts zero dealer, lender, or affiliate compensation.
Your roadmap
- Enter the vehicle price and any trade-in above to see your exact statewide tax (0% county or municipal auto sales tax applies).
- Get a written trade-in offer and a private-sale estimate, then compare using the math above.
- Ask for the out-the-door price in writing with tax, doc fee and title listed separately.
- Verify the rate with the Maine DMV or revenue department before signing; dealer quotes can be wrong.
- Plug the total into the to see the monthly payment.
Maine car sales tax by price
| Vehicle price | State tax, no trade | With $10,000 trade-in |
|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $825 | $275 |
| $20,000 | $1,100 | $550 |
| $25,000 | $1,375 | $825 |
| $30,000 | $1,650 | $1,100 |
| $40,000 | $2,200 | $1,650 |
| $50,000 | $2,750 | $2,200 |
| $60,000 | $3,300 | $2,750 |
Maine charges a statewide rate only (0% county or municipal auto sales tax on vehicle purchases; the local rate field stays at 0%).
Sources & as-of dates
- Base sales tax: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates) (as of October 28, 2026).
- Vehicle-specific rates and trade-in rules: best-effort compilation from state DMV/revenue rules (Best-effort, checked October 28, 2026); e.g. Virginia DMV, Michigan Treasury Form 485, California CDTFA Regulation 1610.
- Local vehicle tax (no local vehicle tax): Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates as of January 1, 2026 (no local rate) (retrieved October 28, 2026). Maine has no local sales tax; 5.5% statewide. Data file: me.json.
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FAQ
How much is car sales tax in Maine?
5.5% at the state level. Vehicle purchases taxed at the state general sales tax rate only (0% county or municipal auto sales tax on vehicle purchases). Maine charges a statewide rate only (0% county or municipal auto sales tax on vehicle purchases; the local rate field stays at 0%). On a $30,000 car with no trade-in that's about $1,650 in state tax.
Does Maine charge sales tax on a trade-in?
Yes. Maine generally taxes the price minus your trade-in value, so a $10,000 trade-in on a $30,000 car cuts the state tax from $1,650 to $1,100. (Verified from state statute / DMV rules.)
Is Maine's general sales tax the same as its car tax?
Maine's statewide general sales tax is 5.5% (Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of October 28, 2026); the rate applied to vehicles is 5.5%.
Does Maine add county or city tax on a car?
No. Maine has no local sales tax; 5.5% statewide. (Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates as of January 1, 2026 (no local rate)).
Does this include the doc fee, title and registration?
No. Those vary by dealer, county, vehicle weight and value.
Is this tax advice?
No. Estimates from best-effort state rules, not tax or financial advice; confirm with your state agency or dealer.
How are car leases taxed in Maine?
Tax up front on the total of payments (5.5%). 5.5% up front on total payments plus cash down (incl. rebates) plus trade equity; trade-in credit does not apply to long-term leases. Source: Maine Revenue Services Instructional Bulletin 24 (rev. 2025-12-22); 36 M.R.S. § 1752(14)(A)(5).
Is a car rebate taxed in Maine?
Yes, tax is figured on the price before a manufacturer rebate. Manufacturer rebates cannot be deducted from the sale price, even if assigned to the dealer. Source: Maine Revenue Services Instructional Bulletin 24.
Educational auto deal, sales tax, doc-fee, and loan/lease math only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Dealerships are independent sellers; verify all out-the-door figures on your written buyer's order before signing.