Find out how much sales tax you’ll owe when buying a used car in Arkansas.
Use our free calculator below to estimate your state and local sales tax based on your vehicle price and location in Arkansas.
Arkansas Car Sales Tax Overview
How Much is Used Car Sales Tax in Arkansas?
- State sales tax rate: 6.5%
- Local/county tax rate: Up to an additional 5%, depending on where you live
- Total tax rate: Can range from 6.5% to over 11%
Your final tax bill depends on your registration address, not where you bought the vehicle.
Trade-In Tax Credit in Arkansas
Good news! Arkansas allows a trade-in credit, which lowers the taxable amount on your used car purchase.
Example:
Vehicle price: $20,000
Trade-in value: $5,000
Tax is only calculated on $15,000
This can significantly reduce how much tax you pay.
Do I Pay Sales Tax on a Used Car from a Private Seller?
Yes. Even if you buy from a private individual instead of a dealership, sales tax is still due when you register the car at the DMV or Revenue Office in Arkansas.
Other Fees to Expect in Arkansas
While these are not part of sales tax, you’ll still need to pay them when registering your used car:
Fee Type |
Typical Cost |
---|---|
Title Fee |
$10 |
Registration Fee |
~$17 to $30+ (varies by weight) |
Lien Filing Fee (if financed) |
$2.50 |
When Do I Pay Sales Tax?
You don’t pay sales tax to the seller. Instead, you pay it at the time of registration with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Make sure to bring your bill of sale, title, and proof of trade-in, if applicable.
County Tax Rates in Arkansas
Sales tax in Arkansas is a combination of state tax and local (county/city) tax. Local rates vary across the state.
Use our calculator above to get an estimate based on your location. You can also check the official DFA tax rate chart here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
➤ Do I pay tax on dealer fees?
Most fees like documentation charges are not taxed in Arkansas, but it’s best to double-check with the dealer.
➤ What if I buy a car out of state and bring it to Arkansas?
You still owe Arkansas sales tax when you register the vehicle in Arkansas — even if you paid tax elsewhere.
➤ What if I gift a car to a family member?
Arkansas allows tax exemptions for certain vehicle transfers between immediate family members.
What’s Next?
Now that you know your estimated used car sales tax:
- Gather your documents
- Visit your local Revenue Office
- Register your vehicle and pay the applicable tax and fees
Helpful Resources
- Arkansas DFA – Vehicle Registration & Title
- Arkansas Sales Tax Rates by County
- List of Revenue Offices
Arkansas County Sales Tax Rates
County | County Sales Tax Rate (%) |
---|---|
Arkansas | 1.25 |
Ashley | 2 |
Baxter | 1 |
Benton | 1 |
Boone | 1 |
Bradley | 2 |
Calhoun | 1.5 |
Carroll | 1 |
Chicot | 1.5 |
Clark | 1.5 |
Clay | 1.5 |
Cleburne | 1.625 |
Cleveland | 1.5 |
Columbia | 1.5 |
Conway | 1.75 |
Craighead | 1 |
Crawford | 1.25 |
Crittenden | 2 |
Cross | 1 |
Dallas | 1.5 |
Desha | 1.5 |
Drew | 2 |
Faulkner | 1 |
Franklin | 1.5 |
Fulton | 2 |
Garland | 1.5 |
Grant | 1.5 |
Greene | 1 |
Hempstead | 1.5 |
Hot Spring | 1 |
Howard | 1.5 |
Independence | 1 |
Izard | 2 |
Jackson | 1.5 |
Jefferson | 1.5 |
Johnson | 1.5 |
Lafayette | 2 |
Lawrence | 1.5 |
Lee | 2 |
Lincoln | 1.5 |
Little River | 1.5 |
Logan | 2 |
Lonoke | 1 |
Madison | 1 |
Marion | 1 |
Miller | 1.5 |
Mississippi | 1.5 |
Monroe | 2 |
Montgomery | 2 |
Nevada | 1.5 |
Newton | 2 |
Ouachita | 2 |
Perry | 2 |
Phillips | 1 |
Pike | 1.5 |
Poinsett | 2 |
Polk | 2 |
Pope | 1 |
Prairie | 1.5 |
Pulaski | 1 |
Randolph | 2 |
St. Francis | 2 |
Saline | 1 |
Scott | 2 |
Searcy | 2 |
Sebastian | 1.25 |
Sevier | 2 |
Sharp | 1.5 |
Stone | 1 |
Union | 2 |
Van Buren | 1.5 |
Washington | 1.25 |
White | 1.25 |
Woodruff | 1.5 |
Yell | 2 |