Connecticut car sales tax: 6.35% and what it applies to

• Connecticut charges 6.35%, and that rate is the same everywhere in the state — no county or city adds to it on a vehicle purchase.

• Taxed on top of the vehicle price: the dealer doc fee, dealer-installed accessories and extended warranties and service contracts.
• Your trade-in comes off before tax is calculated.

• Connecticut's sales tax on a car is 6.35%, the same in every town. There is no city or county sales tax. When the price before your trade-in is over $50,000 the rate is 7.75% on the whole amount, not only the part above $50,000.
• Your trade-in reduces the taxable amount with no dollar cap, on new and used cars. It does not change which rate applies: the $50,000 test looks at the price before the trade-in.
• A manufacturer's rebate does not lower the tax, even when it is applied at the sale. A discount from the dealer does.
• The dealer's conveyance fee (its doc fee) is taxed, and so are accessories, freight and a service contract. A service contract is always taxed at 6.35%, even on a car over $50,000.
• Connecticut does not cap the conveyance fee in dollars. The dealer must show it separately, say that it is negotiable and not payable to the state, and post a sign with the amount.

Source: Connecticut DMV — Sales tax on first-time vehicle registrations · rules last verified Oct 11, 2026. Methodology.