Car ownership costs in Mississippi
What it costs to own a car in Mississippi beyond the sticker price - sales tax, annual registration, vehicle property tax, inspection requirements, and title fee.
- Vehicle sales tax
- 5%
- Mississippi levies a 5% state motor-vehicle sales/use tax on cars, vans, buses, and trucks under 10,000 lbs (3% on trucks over 10,000 lbs used to carry property). Tax applies to the net purchase price after dealer discounts and trade-in credit (trade-ins reduce the taxable amount), but manufacturer rebates are not deducted. No additional local/county sales tax is added to motor-vehicle purchases per the DOR.
Sales tax: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
- Annual registration fee
- ~$14/yr
- The state tag (registration) fee is $14.00 for first-time registration and $12.75 for renewals (includes a Trauma Care allocation). On top of this, owners pay a county road/bridge privilege tax (commonly ~$15 for a standard passenger car) and an annual ad valorem tax, both collected at registration/renewal. Registration is renewed annually. Total out-the-door cost varies widely by county and vehicle value because of the ad valorem component.
Registration fee: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
- Vehicle property tax
- Yes — annual tax on vehicle value
- Mississippi imposes an annual motor-vehicle ad valorem (property) tax collected at each registration/renewal, assessed at 30% of MSRP reduced for depreciation (min $100 assessed value) times the local county millage rate, partially offset by a state 5% assessed-value credit.
Vehicle property tax: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
- State inspection
- Not required
- Mississippi does not require emissions testing and repealed its mandatory annual safety inspection (sticker) program effective July 1, 2015, so no periodic safety or emissions inspection is required statewide.
Inspection rule: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
- Title fee
- ~$9
- One-time fee at purchase. Amount may vary.
- Example: $35,000 vehicle
- Sales tax: $1,750
- + $14/yr registration + annual property tax
How state fees affect your car's true cost in Mississippi
When you buy a vehicle in Mississippi, the first state cost you'll face is the sales tax of 5%. On a $35,000 vehicle, that's roughly $1,750 due at the time of purchase — in addition to the dealer's price.
After the purchase, Mississippi charges an estimated $14 per year to register the vehicle. The state tag (registration) fee is $14.00 for first-time registration and $12.75 for renewals (includes a Trauma Care allocation). On top of this, owners pay a county road/bridge privilege tax (commonly ~$15 for a standard passenger car) and an annual ad valorem tax, both collected at registration/renewal. Registration is renewed annually. Total out-the-door cost varies widely by county and vehicle value because of the ad valorem component.
Mississippi also levies an annual personal property tax on vehicles. The amount depends on your vehicle's assessed value and your local jurisdiction. Mississippi imposes an annual motor-vehicle ad valorem (property) tax collected at each registration/renewal, assessed at 30% of MSRP reduced for depreciation (min $100 assessed value) times the local county millage rate, partially offset by a state 5% assessed-value credit. This recurring cost can add hundreds of dollars per year for newer or more expensive vehicles.
Mississippi does not require a state vehicle inspection, saving the time and cost of periodic safety or emissions testing.
Calculate your full 5-year ownership cost in Mississippi
The TCO calculator pre-fills Mississippi's sales tax and registration fee. Add your purchase price, loan terms, fuel type, and insurance to see the complete picture.
Open TCO calculatorFrequently asked questions
What is the car sales tax in Mississippi?
The vehicle sales tax rate in Mississippi is 5%. On a $35,000 vehicle that works out to roughly $1,750 at the time of purchase. Mississippi levies a 5% state motor-vehicle sales/use tax on cars, vans, buses, and trucks under 10,000 lbs (3% on trucks over 10,000 lbs used to carry property). Tax applies to the net purchase price after dealer discounts and trade-in credit (trade-ins reduce the taxable amount), but manufacturer rebates are not deducted. No additional local/county sales tax is added to motor-vehicle purchases per the DOR.
How much is vehicle registration in Mississippi?
The estimated annual vehicle registration fee in Mississippi is around $14 per year. The state tag (registration) fee is $14.00 for first-time registration and $12.75 for renewals (includes a Trauma Care allocation). On top of this, owners pay a county road/bridge privilege tax (commonly ~$15 for a standard passenger car) and an annual ad valorem tax, both collected at registration/renewal. Registration is renewed annually. Total out-the-door cost varies widely by county and vehicle value because of the ad valorem component.
Does Mississippi have a vehicle property tax?
Yes. Mississippi levies an annual personal property tax on vehicles. The rate varies by locality and vehicle value. Mississippi imposes an annual motor-vehicle ad valorem (property) tax collected at each registration/renewal, assessed at 30% of MSRP reduced for depreciation (min $100 assessed value) times the local county millage rate, partially offset by a state 5% assessed-value credit.
Is a vehicle inspection required in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi does not require a state vehicle inspection. Mississippi does not require emissions testing and repealed its mandatory annual safety inspection (sticker) program effective July 1, 2015, so no periodic safety or emissions inspection is required statewide.
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