Iowa Vehicle Tax & Fee Calculator

How Iowa vehicle taxes and fees are calculated

This page explains how Iowa vehicle taxes and fees are typically structured. The calculator above uses these rules to estimate your out-the-door price.

Iowa sales tax

Iowa charges a statewide 6% sales tax on the taxable amount of the vehicle purchase. The taxable amount is generally the sale price minus any qualifying trade-in value. For more information, see Iowa duplicate title and temporary tag process.

County discretionary surtax

Most Iowa counties charge a discretionary surtax of 0.5%–1.5% on the first $5,000 of the taxable amount. For example:

• Palm Beach County: 1.0% on first $5,000
• Broward County: 1.0% on first $5,000
• Miami-Dade County: 1.0% on first $5,000

If your county is not in the list, the calculator will use a standard estimate that you can adjust with your dealer or tax advisor.

Iowa title fees

Iowa title fees vary slightly depending on whether the title is printed or electronic. Typical values used for estimates:

• Electronic title: approximately $77.25
• Paper title: approximately $78.25

Iowa registration fees

Registration fees in Iowa are based primarily on the vehicle’s weight class for standard private passenger vehicles. A simplified estimate often looks like:

• Under 2,500 lbs: around $27.60
• 2,500–3,499 lbs: around $35.60
• 3,500+ lbs: around $45.60

The calculator uses your selected weight class to estimate the appropriate registration fee.

Electric and hybrid vehicles

Iowa does not currently impose an additional EV registration surcharge beyond the standard registration fees. This may change over time, so always confirm with the latest state guidance.

All values are estimates for informational purposes only and may not reflect the exact amounts charged by your dealer, tag agency, or county tax collector.