Forrest County, MS Car Tag Cost & Registration (2026)
In Forrest County (Hattiesburg), a car purchase is taxed at Mississippi's 5% state rate (the same statewide), but the yearly cost is the ad valorem "car tag" tax — and Forrest County is among the higher tag costs in the state. City residents (like Hattiesburg) pay noticeably more than unincorporated areas. Mississippi has no emissions or safety inspection.
Verified July 2026 from official sources. How we verify fees.
What you'll pay in Forrest County
- Car sales tax: 5% (statewide, one-time)
- Annual ad valorem tag: among the higher tag costs in the state (county + city millage)
- Registration/privilege fees: modest, statewide
- Emissions / safety inspection: None (statewide)
How the tag cost works
Your tag's ad valorem tax is the vehicle's value × 30% assessment × Forrest County's (and your city's) millage, minus the statewide Legislative Tag Credit. Because millage is set locally and stacks inside city limits, a Hattiesburg resident pays well above someone in the unincorporated county. For your exact figure, use the Forrest County tax collector. Estimate the purchase cost on our Mississippi title & tax page.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a car tag in Forrest County, MS?
It depends on your vehicle's value and whether you live in a city, but Forrest County is among the higher tag costs in the state. The tag is the vehicle's value × 30% × local millage, minus the Legislative Tag Credit — check the county tax collector for an exact figure.
Does Forrest County charge sales tax on a car?
Yes — Mississippi's 5% state sales tax, the same in every county. The part that varies by county is the annual ad valorem tag cost, not the sales tax.
Does Forrest County require a vehicle inspection?
No — Mississippi has no emissions test and ended its safety-inspection program in 2015, so Forrest County requires none.