How Much are Used Car Sales Taxes in Indiana?

When buying a used car in Indiana, don’t get caught off guard by the state’s vehicle sales tax. We give you the lowdown so you know what to expect.

Indiana's motor vehicle sales tax is 7% of the vehicle's purchase price. Unlike many other states, Indiana has no county sales tax. 7% places Indiana in the top-tier bracket for sales tax rates. Fortunately, 7% is the maximum you’ll pay in sales tax in Indiana, unlike states such as California, in which local governments can tack on additional sales taxes over and above the state’s tax rate.

When buying a car in Indiana, you’ll pay 7% of the vehicle’s purchase price, whether you buy from a private seller or a car dealer. Indiana tax law does not discriminate between the two. Unless you qualify for a tax exemption (discussed below), you are required to pay tax on your vehicle purchase.

1. You paid exactly 7% sales tax in Mississippi (the only other state with the same tax rate as Indiana), in which case Indiana will give you a pass.
2. You paid no sales tax in another state, in which case you owe the full 7% Indiana sales tax. Let's say you bought a used car in Alaska and didn’t pay any sales tax, given Alaska's 0% tax rate. You’ll pay Indiana’s full 7% sales tax.
3. You paid less than 7% sales tax in another state, in which case Indiana charges you the difference. Let’s say you buy a used car in Ohio for $20,000. Ohio’s tax rate is 5.75%, so you paid $1,150 (.0575 X $20,000) in Ohio tax. When you go to register the car in Indiana, your total tax bill will be $1,400 minus the $1,150 you already paid in Ohio, for a total due of $250 to Indiana.
4. You paid more than 7% in the other state (for example, California levies a 7.25% tax on vehicle purchases). We wish we could tell you Indiana will give you a refund, but no. At least they won’t charge you any more tax.
5. To report sales and use tax, fill out the certificate of gross retail or use tax paid (Form ST-108).

In addition to the state sales tax, you may owe other fees when buying a car and registering it in Indiana, such as a vehicle title fee and registration fee.

To register your vehicle at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch office, you must show proof of vehicle insurance. The first time you register a passenger vehicle, it will cost you $21.50 plus the $15 title transfer fee.

Indiana's standard license plate fee is included in the registration fee. A vanity plate costs an additional $45.

Sales tax in Indiana is calculated as a percentage of the vehicle's purchase price. There are people who think they can outsmart the government by negotiating a low "official" purchase price and paying the rest in a side transaction. But the Indiana DOR can’t be fooled so easily.

If the DOR suspects that the purchase price of the vehicle was artificially decreased, they will calculate sales tax based on the car’s fair market value.

The DOR establishes what the car is worth on the open market by referring to Kelley Blue Book or other reliable sources on used car prices. If they conclude that the car's fair market value is greater than its purchase price, they can opt to base sales tax on the fair market value.

It is important to note that underreporting the purchase price of a vehicle in order to avoid paying sales tax is illegal. If you are caught doing this, you could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000.

Here's how to pay Indiana car sales tax after purchasing a car from a private party:

1. To transfer ownership of the vehicle, you and the seller must complete the necessary paperwork, including the bill of sale (when you buy a used car on PrivateAuto, we provide an official Indiana bill of sale and prompt both of you to sign it in our app at the appropriate stage of the transaction process). You'll need the following documents to transfer car ownership in a private transaction:
2. The original car title.
3. Proof of Indiana insurance.
4. The buyer and the seller’s valid driver’s licenses or IDs
5. Calculate the amount of sales tax due. Multiply the vehicle's purchase price by 7%.
6. Fill out the sales tax form.
7. Submit payment for all taxes and fees.
8. Get payment proof from the Indiana Department of Revenue.
9. Get your registration, title and a new license plate. Once you've paid the sales tax and turned in the necessary documentation, you'll get your new registration and title for the car. The title and registration will show that you bought the car and that the sales tax has been paid. You will also get your license plate in mail.
If you buy a used car from a private seller,it is recommended that both you and the seller go to a BMV branch office to finish the transaction, which protects both of you. If you do not complete the transfer of title within 30 days of the sale, you will be charged a $30 late transfer penalty fee.

There’s really no way around it; taxes are a part of our lives. You are required by law to pay sales tax on private used car purchases in Indiana or any other state that charges sales tax—unless you meet an exemption.

Here are some sales tax exemptions for used vehicle purchases in Indiana:

A lot of people believe that buying from car dealerships saves money. The opposite is true: going to an Indiana dealer costs you more money, and it's a pain—unless spending 3 hours in an Indiana dealership is your idea of a good time.


We do admit that dealers bring a certain amount of convenience that you don’t traditionally get when you buy from a private seller. In fact, that’s why PrivateAuto exists. We give you dealer-like convenience in the palm of your hand while allowing you to transact peer-to-peer with regular folks like yourself.

When you shop for used cars from private sellers on PrivateAuto, you can avoid the documentation fee and get lower prices.

If you're in the market for a used vehicle, you'll want to calculate the applicable sales tax. With PrivateAuto's used car sales tax calculator, calculating sales tax has never been easier. This free online calculator calculates the amount of tax you must pay on a used car purchase based on your tax rate (7%) and the vehicle's price.

We are the only transactional marketplace where you can easily and conveniently buy and sell used cars and get the deal done from start to finish.

Our innovative platform connects buyers and sellers and gives them all the tools to complete the deal, from in-app financing to secure messaging to integrated payments. You can also schedule a test drive and negotiate the price without ever disclosing your personal information.

Here’s how you can sell your car in Indiana with a few simple steps:

1. Gather necessary documentation
2. Register on PrivateAuto and get verified
3. List your car
4. Set your terms
5. Vet incoming offers
6. Choose a buyer
7. Schedule a meeting
8. E-sign documents
9. Get paid, instantly
10. Transfer title