Missouri charges sales tax (paid to DOR at titling) of 4.225% at the state level, and local jurisdictions add their own, which brings a typical vehicle to about 8.225%. A trade-in does reduce the taxable price, which is real money on the deal.
Type your own numbers and see the same car priced as cash and as a loan, with the taxes and state fees for Missouri. Nothing you type leaves this page.
To see a lease, pick a vehicle. A lease is priced on one car: what it is expected to be worth at the end (its residual) and the leasing company's money factor change by model and by month.
An estimate on the numbers you type, not an offer of credit or a quote from any dealership. Starting loan rates are Rateous's rates for each credit range and term; they are not an offer from any lender. The documentary fee starts at an example figure, the state's legal cap where it has one or $599 where it does not, not any dealership's fee; each dealership sets its own. Taxes and state fees are estimates for Missouri; the dealership's paperwork and your motor vehicle agency have the final numbers. Nothing you type is sent, saved, or used to check your credit.
Sales tax on a vehicle is paid to the DOR when the title is applied for (within 30 days), at the state 4.225% plus the local rate of the buyer's residence address (city, county, transportation and special districts).
The typical local rate of 4.0% reflects Kansas City (8.85% combined) and St. Louis County/City (8.24%-9.68%); combined rates in Missouri reach about 11.9%, so the local share can approach 7.7%.
Manufacturer rebates are taxable in Missouri; only the trade-in and dealer discounts reduce the price.
On a $35,000 new car with a $37,000 sticker, registered in Kansas City, no trade-in: the same figures the calculator above uses. The dealership's documentary fee is its own and is not included.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $8.50 |
| Registration (est., mixed based) | $33.25 |
| Title processing fee (with the $8.50 title fee) | $9.00 |
| Registration processing fee (per one-year registration) | $9.00 |
| In all | $59.75 |
Missouri taxes a lease one payment at a time: the tax is added to each monthly payment, so you pay it as you go.
Pick your city for the exact combined rate where you register, plus what title and registration run there.
Missouri charges 4.225% at the state level and local jurisdictions add more, so a typical combined rate on a vehicle is about 8.225% and can reach 11.925% at the high end. The rate is set by where you live, so pick your city above for the exact figure.
Trade-in allowance (and proceeds of a vehicle sold within 180 days) reduce the taxable purchase price (RSMo 144.025).
On a $35,000 new car with a $37,000 sticker, registered in Kansas City: Title fee $8.50, Registration (est., mixed based) $33.25, Title processing fee (with the $8.50 title fee) $9.00, Registration processing fee (per one-year registration) $9.00, about $59.75 in all. Annual passenger registration by taxable horsepower: under 12 hp $18.25; 12-23 hp $21.25; 24-35 hp $24.25; 36-47 hp $33.25; 48-59 hp $39.25; 60-71 hp $45.25; 72+ hp $51.25; plus $9 registration processing fee ($18 for two-year). Typical 6-cylinder car falls in the 36-47 hp bracket.
Yes, at $620.79. Under 12 CSR 10-26.231, the maximum administrative fee is $620.79 for the 2026 license year, adjusted for inflation each year ($604.47 in 2025).
Missouri taxes a lease one payment at a time: the tax is added to each monthly payment, so you pay it as you go.