New Hampshire car tax
New Hampshire has no sales tax. Car owners instead pay a yearly municipal permit fee to their town, based on the manufacturer's list price and model year, before paying the state registration fee. The rates are set by state law (RSA 261:153) and are the same in every town.
RSA 261:153. The rate is 18 mills for the current model year, then 15, 12, 9 and 6, and 3 mills for the fifth preceding year and older. The minimum is $5. Some towns add optional fees such as a $5 transportation improvement fee or a clean-air fee.
New Hampshire car tax calculator
- $35,000 MSRP × 12 mills (vehicle age 2 yr) = $420
Based on the manufacturer's original list price (MSRP), not what you paid. Your bill may be prorated for months you owned the car.
How the tax drops as a $35,000 car ages in New Hampshire
Same car, each year of ownership. The rate falls as the car gets older.
Registration and due dates
The state registration fee depends on weight: about $31.20 for cars up to 3,000 lb, $43.20 for 3,001–5,000 lb, and $55.20 for 5,001–8,000 lb. Title costs $25.
Paid at your town or city clerk every year in your birth month (or when you first register), before the state portion.
Cut what your car costs in New Hampshire
Car tax is set by your town, but your loan and insurance aren't. Refinancing a car loan at a lower rate often saves more each year than the tax itself.
Questions
How is the New Hampshire town permit fee calculated?
Multiply the MSRP by the mill rate for the model year and divide by 1,000. The rates are 18, 15, 12, 9, 6, and 3 mills for cars five or more years old.
Why is my first-year registration so expensive?
The town permit fee is highest in the current model year, at 1.8% of list price, and drops each year.
Is there sales tax on a car in New Hampshire?
No. You pay the title fee, the town permit fee, and the state registration fee.
Sources
Last checked October 14, 2026. Rates are for passenger cars owned by individuals; leased, business and specialty vehicles can differ. Confirm with your tax collector or commissioner of the revenue.