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Kentucky Vehicle Usage Tax Calculator

Estimate Kentucky's 6% motor vehicle usage tax, with and without a dealer trade-in, and see how much the trade saves you.

Vehicle price

Trade-in allowance (0 if none)

Used vehicle? Check the book-value floor (optional)

For used vehicles, Kentucky law says the taxed price can't be less than 50% of the difference between the reference-manual (NADA) trade-in values of the vehicle you're buying and your trade. Leave these blank to skip it.

NADA trade-in value of the vehicle you're buying

NADA trade-in value of your trade

Tax with your trade–

Tax without a trade–

You save–

Taxed amount–

Estimates only. This isn't tax, legal, or financial advice. Your county clerk figures the actual usage tax, and your lender sets your actual rate and payment.

How it works

Kentucky charges a 6% motor vehicle usage tax (KRS 138.460). When you trade a vehicle in, the trade-in allowance is subtracted before the 6% is figured (KRS 138.450(16) for used vehicles; the Department of Revenue says trade-in credit has applied to new vehicles since July 1, 2014).

Example: a $25,000 vehicle with a $10,000 trade is taxed on $15,000. That's $900 instead of $1,500, a $600 savings.

For used vehicles there's a floor: the taxed price can't be less than half the difference between the NADA trade-in values of the two vehicles. Without a notarized affidavit, the clerk uses NADA retail value instead. Full details are in the Kentucky usage tax guide.

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