Massachusetts DMV Fee Calculator

Massachusetts assesses registration on vehicle VALUE, so an older or cheaper car costs materially less to register.

Massachusetts registration fee estimator

Massachusetts assesses registration on vehicle VALUE, so an older or cheaper car costs materially less to register.

First-year total —

Annual registration —

Massachusetts purchase tax —

Base fee —

Figures computed from Tax Foundation (2024-2026 rate tables) and U.S. Census Bureau (2024 5-year). Page last reviewed 2026-08-27. Estimates only — verify with the relevant agency before acting.

Massachusetts at a glance

Figure	Massachusetts	Source
Fee model	Value-based (ad valorem) state	[1]
State sales tax on vehicles	6.25%	[1]
Max local sales tax add-on	0.00%	[1]
Typical annual renewal	$1,721	[1]

[1] Sources

State vehicle sales tax — all 50 states

Massachusetts highlighted. Same data as the table below, shown as a distribution so the comparison is visible at a glance.

Highlighted: Massachusetts, ranked 14 of 50. Median 6.00%.

Massachusetts registration by vehicle and model year

Estimated annual registration under Massachusetts's fee model.

Model year	$8,000 vehicle	$12,000 vehicle	$18,000 vehicle	$25,000 vehicle	$32,000 vehicle	$40,000 vehicle	$50,000 vehicle	$65,000 vehicle	$85,000 vehicle
2026	$641	$939	$1,386	$1,908	$2,429	$3,025	$3,770	$4,888	$6,378
2025	$627	$917	$1,354	$1,863	$2,371	$2,953	$3,680	$4,771	$6,225
2024	$614	$899	$1,326	$1,824	$2,322	$2,892	$3,604	$4,671	$6,094
2023	$604	$883	$1,303	$1,792	$2,281	$2,840	$3,538	$4,587	$5,984
2022	$595	$870	$1,283	$1,764	$2,245	$2,796	$3,483	$4,515	$5,890
2021	$588	$859	$1,266	$1,741	$2,215	$2,758	$3,436	$4,454	$5,810
2020	$581	$849	$1,251	$1,721	$2,190	$2,726	$3,396	$4,402	$5,742
2019	$576	$841	$1,239	$1,704	$2,168	$2,699	$3,362	$4,358	$5,684
2018	$571	$834	$1,229	$1,689	$2,150	$2,676	$3,333	$4,320	$5,635
2017	$567	$828	$1,220	$1,677	$2,134	$2,656	$3,309	$4,288	$5,594
2016	$565	$823	$1,213	$1,667	$2,121	$2,639	$3,288	$4,261	$5,558
2015	$565	$819	$1,206	$1,658	$2,109	$2,625	$3,270	$4,238	$5,528
2014	$565	$815	$1,201	$1,650	$2,100	$2,613	$3,255	$4,218	$5,503
2012	$565	$815	$1,192	$1,638	$2,084	$2,594	$3,232	$4,188	$5,462
2010	$565	$815	$1,190	$1,630	$2,074	$2,581	$3,215	$4,165	$5,433

Worked figures for Massachusetts

Massachusetts values:

Year	Age	Annual Fees	Purchase Tax	First Year
2026	0 yr	$405	$1,875	$2,280
2025	1 yr	$351	$1,875	$2,226
2024	2 yr	$305	$1,875	$2,180
2023	3 yr	$266	$1,875	$2,141
2022	4 yr	$233	$1,875	$2,108
2020	6 yr	$181	$1,875	$2,056
2018	8 yr	$143	$1,875	$2,018
2016	10 yr	$116	$1,875	$1,991
2014	12 yr	$96	$1,875	$1,971
2010	16 yr	$72	$1,875	$1,947

How Massachusetts compares nationally

On state vehicle sales tax, Massachusetts ranks #14 of 50 at 6.25% — 4% above the median of 6.00%. The national range runs from 0.00% (Oregon) to 7.25% (California).

Rank	State	State vehicle sales tax
#12	Connecticut	6.35%
#13	Illinois	6.25%
#14	Massachusetts	6.25%
#15	Texas	6.25%
#16	Utah	6.10%

Value-based (ad valorem) states, ranked

Same rule structure as Massachusetts:

State	State vehicle sales tax	vs Massachusetts
California	7.25%	+16.0%
Mississippi	7.00%	+12.0%
Minnesota	6.88%	+10.0%
Nevada	6.85%	+9.6%
Washington	6.50%	+4.0%
Massachusetts	6.25%	—
Michigan	6.00%	-4.0%
Arizona	5.60%	-10.4%
Nebraska	5.50%	-12.0%
Virginia	5.30%	-15.2%
Oklahoma	4.50%	-28.0%
Wyoming	4.00%	-36.0%

Massachusetts questions, answered with Massachusetts numbers

How does Massachusetts calculate registration fees?▾

Massachusetts assesses on vehicle VALUE, so the fee falls as the car depreciates. A newer vehicle costs materially more to register than an older one of the same type.

What does registration cost in Massachusetts for a typical car?▾

Around $2,180 for a 2024 vehicle, versus about $1,971 for a 2014 one. The $209 gap is depreciation flowing through Massachusetts's value-based formula.

What sales tax applies to vehicles in Massachusetts?▾

Massachusetts's state rate is 6.25%. On a $30,000 purchase the state portion alone is about $1,875.

Other value-based (ad valorem) states

Arizona California Colorado Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Nebraska Nevada

Last reviewed 2026-08-27. Massachusetts figures only — verify with the relevant Massachusetts agency before acting. How this is calculated.