Real Wisconsin deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Madison: new car with a trade-in
A Dane County buyer pays $33,000 and trades in $9,000. The 5.5% rate applies to $24,000.
| Vehicle price | $33,000.00 |
| Sales tax (5% state + 0.5% local) on $24,000.00 | $1,320.00 |
| Title fee | $214.50 |
| Registration | $85.00 |
| Plate issuance fee | $6.00 |
| Out-the-door | $34,625.50 |
| Due after the $9,000 trade-in | $25,625.50 |
2City of Milwaukee
A buyer who keeps the car in the City of Milwaukee pays $30,000. The combined rate is 7.9%.
| Vehicle price | $30,000.00 |
| Sales tax (5% state + 2.9% local) on $30,000.00 | $2,370.00 |
| Title fee | $214.50 |
| Registration | $85.00 |
| Plate issuance fee | $6.00 |
| Out-the-door | $32,675.50 |
Where the car is kept sets the rate
County and city taxes on a vehicle follow the county and city where it's customarily kept, not where the dealer is. Milwaukee County's rate rose from 0.5% to 0.9% and the City of Milwaukee's 2% tax began on January 1, 2024. The trade-in allowance is excluded from the taxable price when the trade and the purchase are one transaction.
Wisconsin car tax at common prices
What a new gas car bought from a dealer comes to at four prices, using a 0.5% local rate. The trade-in column shows how much a $10,000 trade-in changes the tax under Wisconsin's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $825.00 | $275.00 | $1,130.50 |
| $25,000 | $1,375.00 | $825.00 | $1,680.50 |
| $35,000 | $1,925.00 | $1,375.00 | $2,230.50 |
| $50,000 | $2,750.00 | $2,200.00 | $3,055.50 |
Title, registration and surcharges
WisDOT lists the title or title transfer at $214.50 and automobile registration at $85, with a $6 plate issuance fee from October 1, 2026. Electric cars pay a $175 yearly surcharge, up from $100 after a 2023 law, and hybrids $75.
Wisconsin taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (madison: new car with a trade-in) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax (5% state + 0.5% local) | Official | $1,320.00 |
| Title fee | Official | $214.50 |
| Registration (yearly) | Official | $85.00 |
| Plate issuance fee | Official | $6.00 |
| Total taxes and fees | $1,625.50 |
Wisconsin car tax FAQ
What is the car sales tax in Wisconsin?
5% state plus county tax where the car is kept, and 2% more in the City of Milwaukee.
What is the car sales tax in Milwaukee?
7.9% in the City of Milwaukee: 5% state, 0.9% county and 2% city.
How much is a Wisconsin title?
$214.50.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.