Maryland Tax, Title and License Calculator

Maryland doesn't charge a sales tax on a car. It charges a 6.5% excise tax when you title the vehicle. You also pay a $200 title fee and a registration fee that depends on the car's weight. Manufacturer rebates are taxed, but dealer discounts and your trade-in lower the price.

Use this Maryland tax, title and license calculator to estimate the total on a new or used vehicle. Below, you'll find the rules for trade-ins, rebates, gifts and new residents, plus three worked examples.

Checked against the Maryland MVA and the Maryland Transportation Article on October 22, 2026. This is an independent estimate. The MVA sets your final amount.

Maryland Car Tax and Fees at a Glance

Charge	Amount	Notes
Titling excise tax	6.5%	On the purchase price or national used-car value
Minimum excise tax, vehicles 7+ years old	$41.60	Based on a $640 minimum value
Title	$200	New or used; raised from $100 in July 2025
Security interest (lien) filing	$40	If you have a car loan
Registration, 3,500 lbs or less	$120.50 a year	Includes the $40 EMS surcharge
Registration, 3,501 to 3,700 lbs	$125.50 a year	Includes the $40 EMS surcharge
Registration, over 3,700 lbs	$191.50 a year	Includes the $40 EMS surcharge
Electric vehicle surcharge	$125 a year	Added to registration
Plug-in hybrid surcharge	$100 a year	Added to registration

On this page13 sections

• Maryland Car Tax and Fees at a Glance
• How Maryland Vehicle Excise Tax Is Calculated
• How Much Is Car Tax in Maryland?
• Maryland Title, Lien and Registration Fees
• Maryland Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Surcharge and Credit
• What a New Car Really Costs at Titling in Maryland
• Gifts, Family Transfers, New Residents and the Military
• How to Calculate Maryland Tax, Title and License Costs by Hand
• What This Estimate Includes
• What This Estimate Does Not Include
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Official Sources

How Maryland Vehicle Excise Tax Is Calculated

Excise tax = (price + dealer processing charge − dealer discount − trade-in) × 6.5%

Maryland's excise tax is 6.5%. The MVA says it's based on the total purchase price or on the value in a national used-car guide that the MVA uses, adjusted for mileage. A dealer collects it with your title paperwork. For private sales, you pay the MVA when you title the car.

This is a bigger jump than it sounds. Maryland raised the rate from 6% to 6.5% in July 2025. Many websites still show 6%.

Does a trade-in lower the tax in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland takes a trade-in allowance off the price at a dealer. The person trading in the vehicle must be the person buying the new one, or a close relative (spouse, child, grandchild, parent, sibling, grandparent or in-law). Relatives need a Gift Certification form (VR-103).

Are rebates taxed in Maryland?

Manufacturer rebates are part of the taxable price. A $1,500 rebate won't reduce the tax. A dealer discount is different, since the state treats it as nontaxable. Pennsylvania doesn't deduct manufacturer rebates either.

What counts as the price?

The price is the certified selling price, including dealer processing charges, shipping or freight, and options added at purchase. It leaves out extended warranties, mechanical repair contracts, federal excise tax and the electronic registration fee.

What about older vehicles?

Vehicles seven years old or older are taxed on the greater of the price or a $640 minimum value. The minimum tax is $41.60. That helps buyers of inexpensive older cars.

How Much Is Car Tax in Maryland?

Taxable price	Excise tax at 6.5%
$20,000	$1,300
$30,000	$1,950
$40,000	$2,600
$50,000	$3,250

Example 1: Financed new car from a dealer

Assumptions: $38,000 price, $500 dealer processing charge, $1,000 dealer discount, $10,000 trade-in, $1,500 manufacturer rebate (already part of the price), car weighs 3,500 lbs or less, car loan.

Item	Amount
Price + processing charge − discount − trade-in	$27,500.00
Excise tax at 6.5%	$1,787.50
Title	$200.00
Security interest filing	$40.00
Registration (3,500 lbs or less)	$120.50
Estimated total	$2,148.00

Example 2: Older used car from a private seller

Assumptions: eight-year-old car, $4,000 price (above the $640 minimum), no loan, 3,500 lbs or less.

Item	Amount
Excise tax at 6.5% of $4,000	$260.00
Title	$200.00
Registration (3,500 lbs or less)	$120.50
Estimated total	$580.50

Example 3: New electric SUV

Assumptions: $52,000 price, no trade-in, no loan, weighs over 3,700 lbs. The figures below do not include the EV credit.

Item	Amount
Excise tax at 6.5% of $52,000	$3,380.00
Title	$200.00
Registration (over 3,700 lbs)	$191.50
Zero-emission vehicle surcharge	$125.00
Estimated total before any credit	$3,896.50

Maryland Title, Lien and Registration Fees

Fee	Amount	Notes
Title certificate, new or used	$200	Raised from $100 in July 2025
Security interest filing	$40	New or duplicate
Registration, 3,500 lbs or less	$120.50	One year, with the $40 EMS surcharge
Registration, 3,501 to 3,700 lbs	$125.50	One year
Registration, over 3,700 lbs	$191.50	One year
Registration or tag transfer	$15	Moving a tag to another vehicle
Replacement tag	$40
Vanity plate	$50	In addition to registration

The registration amounts are for one year. The cost goes by shipping weight, so a heavy SUV costs about $71 a year more than a compact car.

Maryland also requires a safety inspection to title and register most used vehicles. A licensed station does it, and you pay the station directly.

Maryland Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Surcharge and Credit

Maryland adds a yearly zero-emission vehicle surcharge of $125 to registration. Plug-in hybrids pay $100. Compare that with other states: Wyoming charges electric cars $100 a year.

Vehicle	Yearly surcharge
Battery electric	$125
Plug-in hybrid	$100

Is there a Maryland EV tax credit?

Yes, but it's limited. Buyers of a new zero-emission plug-in electric or fuel cell vehicle can get a credit of up to $3,000 against the excise tax. The state sets aside a fixed amount each fiscal year, and it can run out.

The MVA said the Fiscal Year 2026 money was gone. As of October 1, 2026, it reported that Fiscal Year 2027 funding is available, with about $2.2 million left. Ask your dealer to submit Form VR-334 early.

What a New Car Really Costs at Titling in Maryland

The excise tax is most of the bill, but the $200 title fee is the second biggest charge. The graphic below shows Example 1 line by line.

Gifts, Family Transfers, New Residents and the Military

Are family transfers exempt in Maryland?

Yes, when no money or other value changes hands. The exemption covers a transfer to a spouse, son, daughter, grandchild, parent, sister, brother, grandparent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law. A niece or nephew qualifies only if the giver is 65 or older.

Use the Application for Maryland Gift Certification. Vehicles you inherit as a surviving spouse, heir or legatee are also exempt. Nevada doesn't tax family or gift transfers at all, but Maryland limits it to a list of relatives.

What do I pay if I just moved to Maryland?

You have 60 days to title your vehicle. The tax depends on how new it is and what your old state charged:

• Six model years or newer, old state rate of 6.5% or more: $100.
• Six model years or newer, old state rate below 6.5%: you pay the difference. Coming from a 4% state means 2.5% of the retail value.
• Six model years or newer, old state rate of 0%: 6.5% of the retail value.
• Seven model years or older: $41.60, unless your old state had no tax.

Maryland credits what you paid to your last state. Virginia buyers moving north usually pay the difference, while Mississippi gives no credit for tax paid in another state.

Are military members exempt?

Yes. Active service members whose vehicle is titled in their own name are exempt from Maryland excise tax. You need a DD-214 or official orders. Leased vehicles pay 6.5% minus the monthly tax paid in the previous state.

How to Calculate Maryland Tax, Title and License Costs by Hand

• Start with the price. Add the dealer's processing charge, freight and options.
• Subtract a dealer discount and your trade-in. Don't subtract a manufacturer rebate.
• For a private sale, use the price or the MVA's used-car value, whichever the MVA applies. For a car 7+ years old, use at least $640.
• Multiply by 6.5%.
• Add $200 for the title and $40 if you have a loan.
• Add registration by weight: $120.50, $125.50 or $191.50.
• Add $125 for an electric vehicle or $100 for a plug-in hybrid.
• Subtract any approved EV excise tax credit (up to $3,000).

The MVA gives an estimate when you start your pre-application on myMVA.

What This Estimate Includes

• 6.5% excise tax with trade-in, discount and rebate rules
• $200 title and $40 lien fees
• Registration by weight, including the EMS surcharge
• Electric and plug-in hybrid surcharges
• Gift, new-resident and military rules

What This Estimate Does Not Include

• Inspection station fees
• Tag transfers, vanity plates and replacement tags
• Insurance, loan interest and optional products
• Emissions test fees (VEIP counties)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the old 6% rate or $100 title fee. Both rose in July 2025.
• Searching for a "sales tax". Maryland collects an excise tax at titling.
• Subtracting a manufacturer rebate. It's part of the taxable price.
• Forgetting the $40 lien fee on financed cars.
• Assuming the lowest registration fee. Cars over 3,700 lbs pay $191.50.
• Skipping the gift form. The family exemption needs the Gift Certification.
• Missing the 60-day new-resident window.
• Counting on the EV credit. Funding can run out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the car tax in Maryland?

It's a 6.5% excise tax paid when you title the vehicle.

Does a Maryland tax, title and license calculator subtract a trade-in?

Yes. A dealer trade-in allowance lowers the taxable price.

How much is the excise tax on a $30,000 car in Maryland?

It's $1,950 at 6.5%, before any trade-in or discount.

How much is a title in Maryland?

It's $200 for a new or used title certificate.

How much does it cost to register a car in Maryland?

One year costs $120.50 for a car up to 3,500 lbs, $125.50 for 3,501 to 3,700 lbs and $191.50 over 3,700 lbs.

How much is the Maryland EV fee?

The zero-emission surcharge is $125 a year. Plug-in hybrids pay $100.

Are rebates taxed in Maryland?

Manufacturer rebates are taxed. Dealer discounts aren't.

Which family members are exempt in Maryland?

Spouse, son, daughter, grandchild, parent, sibling, grandparent and in-laws, when no payment is made.

What do I pay on a car I bring to Maryland?

For a car six model years or newer, you pay $100 if your old state charged 6.5% or more, or the difference if less. Older cars pay $41.60.

Is there a Maryland EV tax credit?

Yes, up to $3,000 against the excise tax, while state funding lasts.

Official Sources

• Maryland MVA: Fees & Payment Options
• Maryland MVA: Excise Tax
• Maryland MVA: Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric or Fuel Cell Vehicles, FY2027 funding
• Maryland MVA: Handling a loved one's vehicle after death
• Maryland Transportation Article 13-810: Excise tax exemptions
• COMAR 11.15.33.04: Total purchase price
• Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families: Motor Vehicles

This page is an independent estimate tool and guide. It isn't affiliated with the Maryland MVA or the state of Maryland. Rates and fees can change, so confirm your total before you pay.

See also: Connecticut: a 6.35% sales tax plus a town car tax.

See also: Delaware: no sales tax, but a 5.25% document fee.

See also: District of Columbia: a title excise tax from 1% to 11% by weight and city MPG.