Louisiana Car Sales Tax by Parish (2026)
In Louisiana, combined car sales tax runs ~9.25% to 11%+ by parish — among the highest in the nation (state 5% + local). Every vehicle also needs a statewide brake-tag inspection, and the Baton Rouge area adds emissions. Find your parish below.
Rates verified July 2026 from the Louisiana Dept. of Revenue (typical at the parish seat). Louisiana taxes by your address — exact rates vary within a parish by city and district.
| Parish | Combined sales tax | Emissions? |
|---|---|---|
| Orleans (New Orleans) | ~11% | No |
| Jefferson (Metairie) | ~9.75% | No |
| East Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) | ~11% | Yes |
| St. Tammany (Covington) | ~9.25% | No |
| Lafayette (Lafayette) | ~10% | No |
| Caddo (Shreveport) | ~9.6% | No |
| Calcasieu (Lake Charles) | ~10.75% | No |
| Ouachita (Monroe) | ~10.99% | No |
| Livingston (Denham Springs) | ~10.5% | Yes |
| Rapides (Alexandria) | ~10.5% | No |
| Bossier (Bossier City) | ~10% | No |
| Ascension (Gonzales) | ~9.5% | Yes |
| Tangipahoa (Hammond) | ~10.5% | No |
| Terrebonne (Houma) | ~10.5% | No |
| Lafourche (Thibodaux) | ~10.4% | No |
Frequently asked questions
How much is car sales tax in Louisiana?
State sales tax is 5% (raised from 4.45% in January 2025), plus parish and city taxes that vary. Combined vehicle rates run from about 9.25% up to 11%+ — among the highest in the country. You're taxed at your registration address.
Does Louisiana require a vehicle inspection?
Yes — a statewide safety inspection ('brake tag') is required, costing about $10 (1-year) to $20 (2-year), a bit more in emissions parishes. Note: a 2026 law replaces the physical sticker with a $6 QR-code system starting January 1, 2027.
Which Louisiana parishes require an emissions test?
Five Baton Rouge-area ozone parishes: East Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, Iberville, and West Baton Rouge. The emissions check is done with the annual brake-tag inspection. The rest of the state is safety-inspection only.
How is Louisiana registration calculated?
The license plate fee is value-based — 0.1% of the vehicle's value per year (minimum $20, sold in 2-year increments), scaling up for higher-value vehicles. The title fee is $68.50.