Overview
This calculator itemizes the full bill: sales tax on the correct taxable base, the flat $75 title fee, $60 registration that covers two years, and the $35 statewide inspection sticker you'll need within 7 days of registering. It doesn't include the annual excise tax your city or town bills separately - that's a whole different line item, covered on our Massachusetts registration fee page.
01 - Official fees
Massachusetts tax, title & license fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sales/use tax | 6.25% | of price, or NADA clean trade-in value if higher (private sales) |
| Certificate of title | $75 | |
| Registration | $60 | covers a full 2 years |
| Inspection sticker | $35 | due within 7 days of registering, paid at the station, not the RMV |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Massachusetts RMV - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to title and register a car in Massachusetts
- 1
Get Massachusetts liability insurance first - you cannot register without an active policy.
- 2
Have your insurance agent complete and certify the Registration and Title Application (RMV-1/RTA); this insurance sign-off happens before the RMV will touch your paperwork.
- 3
Gather the signed-over title (or dealer paperwork), a bill of sale, and your ID.
- 4
File within 10 days of the purchase at an RMV Service Center, and pay the 6.25% tax, $75 title fee, and $60 registration together.
- 5
Get the vehicle inspected within 7 days of registering - it's a separate $35 payment at any licensed inspection station.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Massachusetts vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Massachusetts tax, title & license FAQ
How much is tax, title and registration on a $20,000 car in Massachusetts?
About $1,385 from a dealer: $1,250 sales tax (6.25%), $75 title, $60 registration. Private sales can run higher if the NADA clean trade-in value of the car exceeds $20,000 - the RMV taxes whichever number is bigger.
Why did the RMV tax me on more than I actually paid?
Massachusetts compares your stated purchase price against the vehicle's NADA 'clean trade-in' book value (adjusted for mileage only, never mechanical condition) and taxes the higher figure on private-party sales. A genuinely rough car with a high book value still gets taxed on the book number unless you can document the sale price with a bill of sale the RMV accepts.
Does a trade-in lower my Massachusetts sales tax?
Only at a registered Massachusetts dealer. Trade in a $6,000 car against a $20,000 purchase there and you're taxed on $14,000. Private-party sales get no trade-in deduction at all - the full higher-of-price-or-book amount is taxable.
Is the $35 inspection fee part of the RMV bill?
No - it's paid separately at the inspection station, not to the Registry. But it's still mandatory within 7 days of registering any vehicle, new or used, so budget for it alongside title and registration.
What if I miss the 10-day deadline to title and pay tax?
The Department of Revenue can add a failure-to-pay penalty of 1% of the tax owed per month (capped at 25%), plus interest, on top of whatever the RMV assesses for a late title. File within 10 days to avoid it entirely.
Do I still owe an annual bill after I pay TTL?
Yes - separately from this one-time TTL total, your city or town will mail an annual motor vehicle excise bill based on a percentage of the car's MSRP, at $25 per $1,000 of that value. It's not collected by the RMV and isn't part of this calculator.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.