Overview
Then there's the part almost nobody expects: city and county sales tax in Arkansas only ever applies to the first $2,500 of a vehicle's price, no matter how expensive the car is or which used-vehicle band it falls in. A $40,000 truck and a $4,500 sedan both pay the exact same dollar amount of local tax. Add the flat $10 title fee and a weight-based annual registration ($17, $25, or $30), and the calculator below gives you the real total a Revenue Office will collect.
01 - Official fees
Arkansas tax, title & license fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State tax - used, under $4,000 | $0 | fully exempt |
| State tax - used, $4,000–$9,999.99 | 3.5% | reduced band |
| State tax - used $10,000+ / any new vehicle | 6.5% | |
| Local city + county tax | varies × first $2,500 | capped regardless of full price |
| Title application fee | $10.00 | |
| Registration, car ≤3,000 lbs | $17.00 | per year |
| Registration, car 3,001–4,500 lbs | $25.00 | per year |
| Registration, car 4,501+ lbs | $30.00 | per year |
| EV / PHEV / HEV surcharge | $200 / $100 / $50 | per year, on top of registration |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your local Arkansas DFA Revenue Office - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to pay TTL in Arkansas
- 1
Get a bill of sale and the signed-over title from the seller (dealers handle this for you).
- 2
Bring the title, bill of sale, proof of liability insurance, and ID to any DFA Revenue Office within 60 days of the sale.
- 3
The clerk applies the used-vehicle price band (or flat 6.5% for a new vehicle) to figure your state tax, then adds local tax on the first $2,500 only.
- 4
Pay the tax, the $10 title fee, and the weight-based registration together - Arkansas collects all three in one transaction.
- 5
You'll also need to assess the vehicle with your county assessor before your first annual renewal comes due.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Arkansas vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Arkansas tax, title & license FAQ
How much is tax, title and license on a $9,000 used car in Arkansas?
About $402.50: $315 in state tax (3.5% reduced band), roughly $53.13 in local tax at a typical 2.125% rate capped to $2,500, plus the $10 title fee and $25 registration for a mid-weight sedan. A dealer with documentation fees will add a bit more on top.
Why is my local sales tax the same on a $12,000 car as it would be on a $30,000 car?
Arkansas caps city and county tax on motor vehicles (and boats, aircraft, and manufactured housing) to the first $2,500 of the price - a rule left in place when the state eliminated local tax caps on most other purchases back in 2008. Only the state's 6.5% (or the used-vehicle reduced rate) keeps scaling with the full price.
Is a $3,800 used car really tax-free in Arkansas?
The state portion, yes - anything priced under $4,000 owes zero state sales tax under Act 1013. You still owe local tax on the price (capped at $2,500) and the $10 title fee plus registration, so it isn't a completely free transaction, but it skips the biggest line item entirely.
Does a trade-in lower my Arkansas TTL total?
Yes - the taxable base is your price minus your trade-in allowance, and that reduced number is what gets run through the price-band test. Trade in a $6,000 car against a $12,000 purchase and your $6,000 taxable base falls into the 3.5% band instead of paying 6.5% on the full price.
What if I sold my old car privately instead of trading it in?
Arkansas still gives you credit. Sell a vehicle privately within 60 days before or after buying your replacement (45 days if you're filing for a refund after you've already registered) and the sale proceeds reduce your taxable price the same way a dealer trade-in would.
What happens if I miss the 60-day window?
A flat 10% penalty gets added to whatever state and local tax you owe - no plates or title until it's paid in full. There's no sliding scale like some states use; it's 10% whether you're a week late or six months late.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.