Real Montana deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Billings: new SUV
A buyer pays $45,000 for a new SUV. No sales tax applies; registration is at the $217 rate.
| Vehicle price | $45,000.00 |
| Title fee | $12.00 |
| Registration | $217.00 |
| Out-the-door | $45,229.00 |
2Twelve-year-old truck
A buyer pays $7,000 for an older truck. Registration drops to $28 a year.
| Price paid | $7,000.00 |
| Title fee | $12.00 |
| Registration | $28.00 |
| Out-the-door | $7,040.00 |
Registration by age
Montana's registration rate depends only on age, figured by subtracting the model year from the year the fee is due. A new car pays the top $217 rate for its first years, which is why the calculator's total for a new car is mostly registration.
Light vehicles 11 years or older can be registered permanently and don't need renewing while you own them. Permanent registration costs more upfront, including five times the local option tax or flat fee.
Montana 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 Montana's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $229.00 |
| $25,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $229.00 |
| $35,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $229.00 |
| $50,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $229.00 |
Montana taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (billings: new suv) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Title fee | Estimate | $12.00 |
| Registration (yearly) | Official | $217.00 |
| Total taxes and fees | $229.00 |
Montana car tax FAQ
Does Montana charge sales tax on cars?
No. Montana has no sales tax.
How much is car registration in Montana?
$217 a year up to 4 years old, $87 for 5 to 10 years and $28 for 11 or older, plus county fees.
What is permanent registration in Montana?
Light vehicles 11 years or older can be registered once and kept registered while you own them.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.