Real Indiana deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Indianapolis: new car with a trade-in
A buyer pays $31,000 and trades in a car worth $8,000. Tax is 7% of $23,000.
| Vehicle price | $31,000.00 |
| Sales tax (7%) on $23,000.00 | $1,610.00 |
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration | $21.35 |
| Out-the-door | $32,646.35 |
| Due after the $8,000 trade-in | $24,646.35 |
2Private sale paid at the BMV
A buyer pays a private seller $12,500. The 7% is paid at the BMV branch when applying for the title.
| Price paid | $12,500.00 |
| Sales tax (7%) on $12,500.00 | $875.00 |
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration | $21.35 |
| Out-the-door | $13,411.35 |
Sales tax and trade-ins
Indiana's form ST-108 shows the math: subtract a like-kind trade-in from the price and multiply by 7%. The trade-in has to be owned and titled in your name, and a car traded toward a car qualifies, while a motorcycle or trailer doesn't. Debt owed on the trade doesn't change the credit. On a private sale, you pay the 7% at a BMV branch when you apply for the title, within 45 days or a $30 penalty applies.
Indiana 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 Indiana's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $1,050.00 | $350.00 | $1,086.35 |
| $25,000 | $1,750.00 | $1,050.00 | $1,786.35 |
| $35,000 | $2,450.00 | $1,750.00 | $2,486.35 |
| $50,000 | $3,500.00 | $2,800.00 | $3,536.35 |
Registration, excise tax and EV fees
The BMV fee chart lists $21.35 for a passenger car registration and $15 to issue a title. Every registration also includes the vehicle excise tax, set by the car's class and age, and some counties and cities add a wheel tax. For 2026 the supplemental fee is $242 for electric vehicles and $81 for hybrids.
Indiana taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (indianapolis: new car with a trade-in) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax (7%) | Official | $1,610.00 |
| Title fee | Official | $15.00 |
| Registration (yearly) | Official | $21.35 |
| Total taxes and fees | $1,646.35 |
Indiana car tax FAQ
What is Indiana's car sales tax?
7% of the price minus a like-kind trade-in titled to you.
How much is the Indiana EV fee?
$242 for electric vehicles and $81 for hybrids in 2026.
When do I have to title a car in Indiana?
Within 45 days of buying it, or a $30 penalty applies.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.