Montgomery County, TN Car Tax & Registration (2026)
In Montgomery County (Clarksville), a car purchase is taxed at a combined 9.5% — Tennessee's 7% state tax plus the county's 2.5% local-option rate (applied to the first $1,600, with a state single-article tax above that). Montgomery County adds a $74 wheel tax at registration, on top of the ~$29 state plate fee. Tennessee has no emissions test.
Verified July 2026 from official sources. How we verify fees.
What you'll pay in Montgomery County
- Combined sales tax: 9.5% (7% state + 2.5% local)
- Wheel tax: $74 (annual, at registration)
- Plate fee: ~$29 · Title: $14 (statewide)
- Emissions test: Not required (ended statewide 2022)
How the tax works
Tennessee's local-option tax applies only to the first $1,600 of the price, so the county rate matters less on expensive cars than the headline number suggests; a state single-article tax (2.75%) covers $1,600–$3,200. The wheel tax is the flat annual county add-on. Estimate the full purchase cost on our Tennessee title & tax page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the car sales tax in Montgomery County, TN?
A combined 9.5% — Tennessee's 7% plus Montgomery County's 2.5% local-option rate. The local part applies to the first $1,600 of price, with a 2.75% state single-article tax on $1,600–$3,200.
Does Montgomery County charge a wheel tax?
Yes — Montgomery County adds a $74 wheel tax at registration, on top of the ~$29 state plate fee.
Do I need an emissions test in Montgomery County?
No — Tennessee ended emissions testing statewide in 2022, so no county requires one to register.