The tax is on the greater of your purchase price or J.D. Power clean trade-in book value, so a bargain private purchase does not cut your bill unless you file a Vermont dealer appraisal. The $2,486 cap applies only to heavy trucks over 10,100 pounds empty weight and a few other categories, not to ordinary cars. From January 1, 2026 the cap is judged on empty weight rather than registered weight.
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Sources
Statute: 32 V.S.A. § 8903
Vermont DMV, Tax “Purchase and Use Tax is due at the time of registration and/or title at the rate of 6% of the purchase price or the J. D. Power clean trade-in value, whichever is greater ... Trucks (Curb Weight of 10,100 lbs or more) | 6% | Maximum $2,486.00”
32 V.S.A. § 8903 “For any other motor vehicle, it shall be six percent of the taxable cost of the motor vehicle or $2,486.00 for each motor vehicle, whichever is smaller”
Last verified: September 21, 2026.
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Estimates only. Your dealer or the state issues the final bill, and exemptions can change what you owe. This page does not collect or store anything you enter.