Montana Title Transfer Fee Calculator
Transferring a vehicle title in Montana costs $12 in title fees — but the real cost of a private-party purchase is usually the tax: No sales tax on vehicle purchases — the famous Montana advantage. Budget the tax on top of the title and plate fees, and transfer within the state's deadline to avoid penalties.
Your purchase
- Tax on saleNo tax on private-party vehicle sales$0.00
- Title fee$12.00
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16. This state's full local formula is not yet implemented; see the notes below the calculator.
Good to know
- Tax treatment pending source-verification sweep — verify exemptions (family transfers, gifts) with the state before relying on this.
What determines title transfer registration cost in Montana?
- Purchase price (tax basis)
- Title fee ($12)
- Tax on private-party sales
- Plate transfer vs. new plates
Frequently asked questions
How much does a title transfer cost in Montana?
The title fee itself is $12. No sales tax on vehicle purchases — the famous Montana advantage. Use the calculator above with your purchase price for the full picture.
Do I pay sales tax on a private-party car purchase in Montana?
No — Montana does not charge sales/use tax on private-party vehicle sales, one of the few states that doesn't.
More Montana calculators
Title Transfer calculators for other states
Official Montana resources
Estimates here are informational — the state is the only source of an official quote.
Data last reviewed 2026-07-16.