Mississippi car tag fees rank second-highest in U.S. and are hard to predict

Mississippi’s car tag fees are the second-highest in the nation, often exceeding $1,000 annually, according to a new report from the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor.

Auditor Shad White said taxpayers have expressed frustration over the complexity and expense of obtaining a car tag. “They complain for a good reason: it’s hard for the average family to know how and why that bill is so big when they pay it,” he said.

The report found that there is no straightforward way for taxpayers to determine the cost of a car tag because some parts of the pricing formula remain unpublished. For example, the amount of the Legislative Tag Credit—a rebate that can be worth half of a vehicle’s tag fee—is not disclosed online. Additionally, depreciation schedules for vehicles are also unavailable.

As a result, people may pay significantly different amounts for similar vehicles, even those registered in the same area. To improve transparency, the Office of the State Auditor compiled the full pricing formula and included the 2024-2025 millage rates across the state. The report is available on the Auditor’s website under the “Reports” tab by searching “Car Tag.”