How much is it to transfer tags between vehicles at the Cole County DMV in Jefferson City, MO?

When transferring tags between vehicles at the Cole County DMV in Jefferson City, MO, you’ll primarily be dealing with the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) fees and potentially sales tax. Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs involved:

• Title Fee: There’s an $8.50 title fee to transfer the title to your name.
• Processing Fee: A $6 processing fee is also assessed.
• Registration Fee: The annual registration fee for license plates varies depending on the type of vehicle (passenger car, truck, motorcycle, etc.) and its horsepower or weight. For a standard passenger vehicle, this can range from $18.25 to $51.25 for a one-year registration, plus the $6 processing fee. You can also opt for a two-year registration at a higher cost.
• Sales Tax: This is a significant factor. You will pay Missouri state sales tax of 4.225% plus your local Cole County sales tax (which is currently 1.38%, making a combined total of 5.61% in Cole County) on the purchase price of the “new” vehicle, less any trade-in allowance.
  • Important Note: If you’re transferring tags to a vehicle you’ve owned and operated in another state for at least 90 days prior to titling and registering in Missouri, no additional sales tax is due. If it’s been less than 90 days and the sales tax paid to the previous state is less than Missouri’s combined state and local taxes, you’ll need to pay the difference.

To get a precise quote for your specific situation, it’s best to:

• Visit the Cole County License Office in Jefferson City: They can calculate all applicable fees based on your vehicle’s information and the purchase price.
• Use the Missouri Department of Revenue’s online tools: The DOR website (dor.mo.gov) has a sales tax calculator that can help estimate the sales tax you might owe.

Remember to bring all necessary documentation, including your previous vehicle’s title, the new vehicle’s title, proof of insurance, and proof of paid personal property taxes for the relevant years.