Real Vermont deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Burlington: new car with a trade-in
A buyer pays $33,000 and trades in $9,000. Tax is 6% of $24,000.
| Vehicle price | $33,000.00 |
| Purchase and use tax (6%) on $24,000.00 | $1,440.00 |
| Title fee | $42.00 |
| Registration (1 year) | $91.00 |
| Out-the-door | $34,573.00 |
| Due after the $9,000 trade-in | $25,573.00 |
2Private sale below book value
A buyer pays $8,000 for a car with a $10,500 clean trade-in value. Tax is on $10,500.
| Price paid | $8,000.00 |
| Purchase and use tax (6%) on $10,500.00 | $630.00 |
| Title fee | $42.00 |
| Registration (1 year) | $91.00 |
| Out-the-door | $8,763.00 |
How the tax base is set
The DMV taxes the purchase price or the J.D. Power clean trade-in value, whichever is greater, so a bargain price doesn't lower the tax. A trade-in or other allowable credit then comes off, as long as the trade happened within three months of the purchase.
Vermont 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 Vermont's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $900.00 | $300.00 | $1,033.00 |
| $25,000 | $1,500.00 | $900.00 | $1,633.00 |
| $35,000 | $2,100.00 | $1,500.00 | $2,233.00 |
| $50,000 | $3,000.00 | $2,400.00 | $3,133.00 |
Title and registration
A DMV form lists the title at $42 plus $14 per lien. Registration for a gas or diesel car is $91 for one year or $167 for two, including the $2 Clean Air Fund fee.
Vermont taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (burlington: new car with a trade-in) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase and use tax (6%) | Official | $1,440.00 |
| Title fee | Estimate | $42.00 |
| Registration (1 year) (yearly) | Official | $91.00 |
| Total taxes and fees | $1,573.00 |
Vermont car tax FAQ
What is the car sales tax in Vermont?
A 6% purchase and use tax on the higher of the price or the clean trade-in value, minus your trade-in.
Can I pay Vermont tax on a low private sale price?
No. Vermont taxes the higher of the price or the J.D. Power clean trade-in value.
How much is Vermont car registration?
$91 for one year or $167 for two for a gas car.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.