Montana Tax, Title and License Calculator
Montana has no sales tax on a vehicle purchase. You still pay a registration fee that depends on the car's age, a 3% administrative fee, a small title fee of $12.36 and, in many counties, a county option tax. Electric vehicles pay extra.
Use this Montana tax, title and license calculator to estimate your costs. Below is how each charge works, a depreciation table for the county tax and three worked examples.
Checked against the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) and Montana law on October 22, 2026. This is an independent estimate. Your county treasurer sets your final amount.
Montana Car Tax and Fees at a Glance
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax | None | Montana has no sales tax |
| Registration, 0 to 4 years old | $217 | Per year, plus 3% |
| Registration, 5 to 10 years old | $87 | Per year, plus 3% |
| Registration, 11+ years old | $28 | Per year, plus 3% |
| Administrative fee | 3% | Added to registration and other state fees |
| Title | $12.36 | Includes the 3% fee |
| Lien filing | $8.24 | Includes the 3% fee; only with a loan |
| License plates | $12 | New standard plates, plus 3% |
| State parks fee | $9 | You can opt out; plus 3% |
| Additional fee | $10 | Plus 3% |
| County option tax | Up to 0.7% | Of depreciated MSRP, or a flat fee; varies by county |
| Electric vehicle fee | $130 | Per year, under 6,000 lbs, plus 3% |
| Plug-in hybrid fee | $70 | Per year, under 6,000 lbs, plus 3% |
On this page14 sections
- Montana Car Tax and Fees at a Glance
- Is There Sales Tax on Cars in Montana?
- Montana Registration Fees by Vehicle Age
- Montana County Option Tax
- Montana Title, Lien and Plate Fees
- How Much Does a Car Cost in Montana After Fees?
- Montana Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Fees
- Buying, Private Sales and Out-of-State Purchases
- How to Calculate Montana 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
Is There Sales Tax on Cars in Montana?
No. Montana doesn't charge sales tax on new or used vehicles. Buyers from Idaho, which charges a 6% sales tax, often save thousands. Oregon also has no sales tax, but it charges a title fee based on gas mileage.
What you pay instead is a yearly registration fee based on age, plus a county option tax that mimics a property tax on your car. Both go to your county treasurer.
Montana Registration Fees by Vehicle Age
Registration is set by the age of the vehicle. Age means the calendar year you are paying for minus the model year. A 2019 model registered in 2026 is 7 years old.
| Vehicle age | Registration rate | With the 3% fee |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 years | $217 | $223.51 |
| 5 to 10 years | $87 | $89.61 |
| 11 years or more | $28 | $28.84 |
The 3% administrative fee is added to all fees charged under Montana's vehicle code, including plates and the EV fee. Vehicles with an MSRP over $150,000 that are 10 years old or less pay an extra $825.
How long does registration last?
You can choose 12 months or 24 months. If your vehicle is 11 years old or older, you can pick permanent registration, which doesn't need renewal while ownership stays the same. You pay the registration fees plus five times the county option tax or flat fee.
Montana County Option Tax
Counties can add a local option motor vehicle tax. The rate can be up to 0.7% of the vehicle's value, or a flat fee, if voters approved it. Cities and towns can't charge it. Many counties share the money with their towns.
County option tax = MSRP × depreciation multiplier × county rate
The multiplier depends on the vehicle type and age. For example, Yellowstone County (Billings) charges 0.5%. A 2-year-old SUV with a $40,000 MSRP has a multiplier of 90%, so the value is $36,000 and the tax is $180.
| Age | Automobile | Truck | Van | SUV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 90% | 96% | 93% | 98% |
| 1 | 80% | 91% | 86% | 94% |
| 2 | 69% | 86% | 78% | 90% |
| 3 | 58% | 80% | 69% | 84% |
| 4 | 49% | 73% | 60% | 76% |
| 5 | 41% | 66% | 52% | 67% |
| 7 | 26% | 49% | 38% | 48% |
| 10 | 14% | 31% | 22% | 29% |
| 12 | 10% | 22% | 15% | 22% |
| 16 | 9% | 12% | 9% | 15% |
A vehicle one model year ahead (age −1) is at 100%. After age 16, the value drops 10% a year, down to a $500 minimum. Ask your county treasurer for your county's rate.
Montana Title, Lien and Plate Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title (cars, light trucks, vans) | $12.36 | Includes the 3% fee |
| Title (other vehicles) | $10.30 | Includes the 3% fee |
| Lien filing | $8.24 | Per lien; includes the 3% fee |
| License plates | $12.36 | $12 plus 3%; plates stay with the seller |
| State parks fee | $9.27 | $9 plus 3%; you can opt out |
| Additional fee | $10.30 | $10 plus 3% |
The buyer has 40 days from the sale to title and register. Do this at the county treasurer's office in your county. The seller keeps the license plates, so you need new ones.
How Much Does a Car Cost in Montana After Fees?
These examples use a 0.5% county option tax, like Yellowstone County. Your county may be higher or lower. Each fee includes the 3% administrative fee.
Example 1: Two-year-old SUV with a car loan
Assumptions: 2024 SUV bought in 2026 (age 2), $40,000 MSRP, loan, 0.5% county option tax, 12-month registration.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration ($217 + 3%) | $223.51 |
| License plates | $12.36 |
| State parks fee | $9.27 |
| Additional fee | $10.30 |
| Title | $12.36 |
| Lien filing | $8.24 |
| County option tax: $40,000 × 90% × 0.5% | $180.00 |
| Estimated total | $456.04 |
Example 2: Older used car, no loan
Assumptions: 2014 sedan (age 12), $24,000 original MSRP, no loan, 0.5% county option tax.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration ($28 + 3%) | $28.84 |
| License plates | $12.36 |
| State parks fee | $9.27 |
| Additional fee | $10.30 |
| Title | $12.36 |
| County option tax: $24,000 × 10% × 0.5% | $12.00 |
| Estimated total | $85.13 |
Example 3: New electric sedan
Assumptions: new 2026 model (age 0), $50,000 MSRP, battery electric under 6,000 lbs, no loan, 0.5% county option tax.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration ($217 + 3%) | $223.51 |
| Electric vehicle fee ($130 + 3%) | $133.90 |
| License plates | $12.36 |
| State parks fee | $9.27 |
| Additional fee | $10.30 |
| Title | $12.36 |
| County option tax: $50,000 × 90% × 0.5% | $225.00 |
| Estimated total | $626.70 |
Registration repeats each year (or every two years). The title, lien and plate fees are one-time costs.
Montana Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Fees
Electric and plug-in hybrid owners pay an extra yearly fee at registration, based on weight. The 3% fee is added. Wyoming charges electric cars $100 a year, so Montana's fee is higher.
| Vehicle weight | Electric | Plug-in hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| 5,999 lbs or less | $130 | $70 |
| 6,000 to 10,000 lbs | $190 | $100 |
| 10,001 to 26,000 lbs | $340 | $210 |
| Over 26,000 lbs | $1,100 | $700 |
The U.S. Department of Energy says electric registration fees for private residents drop 30% starting July 1, 2028. Check with the MVD before then.
Buying, Private Sales and Out-of-State Purchases
Do private sales pay tax in Montana?
No sales tax applies. A private seller must be the person named on the title. You pay the same registration, title and county fees at the treasurer's office. Resolve any lien before you buy.
What if I buy from another state?
Montana has no sales tax to collect, so you only pay the fees above. Bring the title and, for a vehicle newer than nine years, an odometer reading. Compare that with North Dakota, which charges a motor vehicle excise tax when you title.
What if I move to Montana?
You register the vehicle with your county treasurer and pay the same fees based on age. The treasurer can tell you what else is needed.
How to Calculate Montana Tax, Title and License Costs by Hand
- Work out the vehicle age: this calendar year minus the model year.
- Pick the registration rate: $217 (0 to 4), $87 (5 to 10) or $28 (11+).
- Add plates ($12), the parks fee ($9) and the additional fee ($10).
- For an electric or plug-in hybrid, add the EV fee ($130 or $70 for under 6,000 lbs).
- Multiply that total by 1.03 for the administrative fee.
- Add the title ($12.36) and the lien fee ($8.24) if you have a loan.
- Find your county rate. Multiply MSRP × the depreciation percentage × the rate.
- Add $825 if the MSRP is over $150,000 and the vehicle is 10 years old or less (before the 3% fee).
What This Estimate Includes
- Registration by vehicle age
- The 3% administrative fee
- Title, lien and plate fees
- State parks and additional fees
- County option tax
- Electric and plug-in hybrid fees
What This Estimate Does Not Include
- Special or personalized plate fees
- The optional $5 fee
- Permanent registration pricing
- Insurance, loan interest and optional products
- Dealer document fees
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Looking for a sales tax. There isn't one.
- Forgetting the 3% fee. It applies to nearly every state charge.
- Using the wrong vehicle age. It's calendar year minus model year.
- Skipping the county option tax. Many counties charge it.
- Assuming the title is $12. It's $12.36.
- Missing the 40-day deadline.
- Expecting to keep the plates. They stay with the seller.
- Forgetting the EV fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there sales tax on cars in Montana?
No. Montana doesn't charge sales tax on vehicle purchases.
How much does it cost to register a car in Montana?
It costs $217, $87 or $28 a year depending on the car's age, plus 3%.
What is the Montana county option tax?
It's a local tax of up to 0.7% of the vehicle's depreciated MSRP, or a flat fee, set by each county.
How much is a title in Montana?
It's $12.36 for cars and light trucks. A lien filing costs $8.24.
What is the 3% administrative fee?
It's a fee the MVD adds to fees charged under Montana's vehicle code.
How much do electric cars pay in Montana?
An extra $130 a year under 6,000 pounds, plus 3%. Plug-in hybrids pay $70.
Can I get permanent registration?
Yes, if your car is 11 years old or older and the plates allow it.
How long do I have to register a car I bought?
You have 40 days from the sale date.
Do I keep the license plates from the seller?
No. Plates stay with the seller, and you buy new ones.
Is there a luxury vehicle fee in Montana?
Yes, $825 extra on vehicles with an MSRP over $150,000 that are 10 years old or less.
Official Sources
- Montana MVD: Light Vehicle Registration and Fees
- Montana MVD: Buying & Selling Vehicles in Montana (2026)
- Montana MVD: Certificate of Title application MV1 (July 2026)
- Montana Code Annotated 61-3-321: Registration fees
- Montana Code Annotated 61-3-111: Administrative fee
- Montana Code Annotated 61-3-503: Depreciation schedule
- Montana Code Annotated 61-3-537: Local option motor vehicle tax
- Montana Code Annotated 61-3-572: Electric vehicle fees
- Yellowstone County Treasurer: Motor vehicle tax and fee schedules
- U.S. Department of Energy AFDC: EV and plug-in hybrid fees
This page is an independent estimate tool and guide. It isn't affiliated with the Montana MVD or the state of Montana. Fees can change, so confirm your total with your county treasurer before you pay.
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William researches vehicle taxes, title fees, registration charges and DMV requirements across the United States. His work focuses on turning state-specific fee schedules, tax guidance, registration requirements and statutory information into practical explanations for vehicle buyers and owners. He cross-checks calculator inputs against official state revenue departments, motor vehicle agencies and published fee schedules, paying particular attention to differences between sales tax, title fees, registration charges and local or county taxes. He also reviews state-level changes so that calculator results and supporting articles reflect the latest available requirements rather than relying on outdated third-party estimates.
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