Indiana Vehicle Excise, Wheel Tax & Emissions by County (2026)
In Indiana, sales tax (7%) and the vehicle excise tax are statewide — what varies by county is the local wheel tax / excise surtax and whether an emissions testis required (only Lake & Porter). Find your county below.
Verified July 2026 from the Indiana BMV and DOR. Local wheel-tax amounts are set by each county and aren't published in a single statewide table — use the BMV Quick Quote for exact figures.
| County | Local wheel tax? | Emissions? |
|---|---|---|
| Marion (Indianapolis) | Yes | No |
| Lake (Gary/Hammond) | County: no | Yes |
| Allen (Fort Wayne) | Yes | No |
| Hamilton (Carmel) | County: no | No |
| St. Joseph (South Bend) | Yes | No |
| Elkhart (Elkhart) | Yes | No |
| Vanderburgh (Evansville) | Yes | No |
| Tippecanoe (Lafayette) | Yes | No |
| Porter (Valparaiso) | County: no | Yes |
| Hendricks (Plainfield) | Yes | No |
| Johnson (Greenwood) | Yes | No |
| Madison (Anderson) | County: no | No |
| Monroe (Bloomington) | Yes | No |
| Delaware (Muncie) | Yes | No |
| Vigo (Terre Haute) | Yes | No |
Frequently asked questions
Does Indiana car tax vary by county?
Sales tax doesn't — Indiana charges a flat 7% statewide with no local add-on. What varies by county is the local wheel tax and vehicle excise surtax charged at registration, and whether an emissions test is required.
Which Indiana counties require an emissions test?
Only Lake and Porter counties, in northwest Indiana. It's an OBD-II check every two years for 1976+ vehicles under 9,000 lbs (the four newest model years are exempt). No other county requires a test.
What is the wheel tax in Indiana?
A local fee charged at registration by counties (and sometimes cities) that have adopted it, on top of the statewide excise tax. Amounts are set locally and aren't published in a single statewide table — use the BMV's Quick Quote tool for your exact figure.
How is the Indiana vehicle excise tax calculated?
It's a statewide value- and age-based schedule: the tax is based on the vehicle's original retail price class and drops as the vehicle ages. It's the same formula in every county.