Real Connecticut deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Hartford: $35,000 car with a trade-in
A buyer pays $35,000 for a new car and trades in $10,000. Tax is 6.35% of $25,000, and the new-car greenhouse gas and emissions exemption fees apply.
| Vehicle price | $35,000.00 |
| Sales tax (6.35%) on $25,000.00 | $1,587.50 |
| Title fee | $25.00 |
| Registration (3 years) | $120.00 |
| Plate fee | $5.00 |
| Administrative fee | $10.00 |
| Clean Air Act fee | $15.00 |
| Passport to the Parks fee (3 years) | $24.00 |
| Greenhouse gas fee | $15.00 |
| Emissions exemption fee | $40.00 |
| Out-the-door | $36,841.50 |
| Due after the $10,000 trade-in | $26,841.50 |
2Over $50,000: the 7.75% rate
A buyer pays $56,000 for a new SUV with a $15,000 trade-in. The price is over $50,000 before the trade, so the whole taxable $41,000 is taxed at 7.75%.
| Vehicle price | $56,000.00 |
| Sales tax (7.75%, price over $50,000) on $41,000.00 | $3,177.50 |
| Title fee | $25.00 |
| Registration (3 years) | $120.00 |
| Plate fee | $5.00 |
| Administrative fee | $10.00 |
| Clean Air Act fee | $15.00 |
| Passport to the Parks fee (3 years) | $24.00 |
| Greenhouse gas fee | $15.00 |
| Emissions exemption fee | $40.00 |
| Out-the-door | $59,431.50 |
| Due after the $15,000 trade-in | $44,431.50 |
The $50,000 line
Cars over $50,000 pay 7.75% instead of 6.35%, a rate in place since July 1, 2015. The Department of Revenue Services measures the threshold on the price before the trade-in, including taxable items added to the price. A $52,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in still pays 7.75%, just on $42,000.
Connecticut car tax at common prices
What a new gas car bought from a dealer comes to at four prices. The trade-in column shows how much a $10,000 trade-in changes the tax under Connecticut's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $952.50 | $317.50 | $1,206.50 |
| $25,000 | $1,587.50 | $952.50 | $1,841.50 |
| $35,000 | $2,222.50 | $1,587.50 | $2,476.50 |
| $50,000 | $3,175.00 | $2,540.00 | $3,429.00 |
DMV fees for a new registration
The DMV fee chart for a regular passenger car lists a $120 registration fee for three years, a $5 plate fee, a $25 title fee, a $10 administrative fee and a $15 Clean Air Act fee. The Passport to the Parks fee is $24 on three-year registrations effective from July 1, 2025. A new car with a certificate of origin adds a $15 greenhouse gas fee, and cars four model years old or newer pay a $40 emissions exemption fee because they skip the test. A lien adds $10.
Connecticut taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (hartford: $35,000 car with a trade-in) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax (6.35%) | Official | $1,587.50 |
| Title fee | Official | $25.00 |
| Registration (3 years) | Official | $120.00 |
| Plate fee | Official | $5.00 |
| Administrative fee | Official | $10.00 |
| Clean Air Act fee | Official | $15.00 |
| Passport to the Parks fee (3 years) | Official | $24.00 |
| Greenhouse gas fee | Official | $15.00 |
| Emissions exemption fee | Official | $40.00 |
| Total taxes and fees | $1,841.50 |
Connecticut car tax FAQ
What is the car sales tax in Connecticut?
6.35%, or 7.75% when the price is over $50,000.
Does a trade-in count toward the $50,000 threshold?
No. The threshold uses the price before the trade-in, though the trade-in still lowers the taxed amount.
How much does it cost to register a car in Connecticut?
The base registration is $120 for three years, plus plate, title, administrative, Clean Air Act and park fees.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.