Can I buy a car in Wisconsin if I live in Minnesota (or out of state)?
Ask Swant Graber · Barron, WI
Can I buy a car in Wisconsin if I live in Minnesota (or out of state)?
Reviewed by Cory Gunderson, Internet Sales & Finance Manager · Last checked October 27, 2026
Short answer
Yes. You can buy from a Wisconsin dealer if you live in Minnesota or another state. If you take the vehicle straight home, Wisconsin sales tax generally doesn't apply, and you pay your home state's tax and fees when you title and register it there.
What it means in the Barron area
Wisconsin DOR Publication 202 says a sale to a nonresident is exempt from Wisconsin sales tax if the only use in Wisconsin is driving it out of the state. The dealer documents that with an exemption certificate (Form S-211) or the e-MV11 form. If you use the vehicle in Wisconsin first, such as at a cabin, the exemption doesn't apply.
Minnesota residents pay Minnesota's 6.875% motor vehicle sales tax on the price minus rebates and trade-in allowance when the title transfers in Minnesota. If you did pay another state's tax, Minnesota gives credit for it and you owe only the difference in rates. Minnesota title and registration fees are set by Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services. Source: Minnesota Department of Revenue, referenced Oct 28, 2026. Fees may change; check the source for current amounts.
Living in another state? The same Wisconsin exemption applies, but your home state's tax and registration rules decide what you owe at home.
How Swant Graber handles it:
- Financing: we handle all of the out-of-state title and registration paperwork for you. We pay a third-party company out of our own pocket to process it, so there's no extra charge to you for that.
- Paying cash: it's simple. You pay the selling price plus our $127.50 doc fee. You then title, register and pay your home state's tax where you live.
Worked example Estimate
| Selling price, used SUV | $30,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin sales tax (nonresident, driven straight home) | $0.00 |
| Swant Graber doc fee | $127.50 |
| Paid to Swant Graber (cash deal) | $30,127.50 |
| Minnesota motor vehicle sales tax, 6.875% of $30,000 (paid in Minnesota) | $2,062.50 |
| Minnesota title and registration fees | Set by MN DVS; not included |
Estimate, not a quote. Minnesota resident paying cash, no trade-in, no rebates. If you finance, we handle the Minnesota paperwork through a third-party company at our cost. Minnesota fees vary by vehicle and county and aren't included here. Figures last checked October 27, 2026 against the sources below. Confirm your exact numbers with our team.
Ask us for your exact out-the-door price
Tell us the vehicle and whether you're trading in, and we'll send an itemized out-the-door price in writing.
More buyer questions
- Ask Swant Graber: Car-Buying Questions in the Barron Area
- What does 'out the door' price mean?
- Does Wisconsin's lemon law cover used cars?
- How does a trade-in with a loan payoff work?
Helpful Swant Graber pages
3 brands. 2 rooftops. 1 Swant Graber.
Chevrolet, Dodge, Ram, and Ford on one Highway 8 campus in Barron, with Swant Graber roots here since 1959. Swant Graber Motors and Swant Graber Ford sit directly across Highway 8 from each other.
Swant Graber Motors
Chevrolet · Dodge · Ram
1690 E Division Ave (Highway 8)Barron, WI 54812
Phone
715-537-5657Sales: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. · Service: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Swant Graber Ford
Ford · across Highway 8
1697 E Division Ave (Highway 8)Barron, WI 54812
Phone
715-537-9500Sales: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. · Service: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Questions
Will I pay sales tax twice?
Generally no. Wisconsin exempts nonresidents who take the vehicle straight out of state, and Minnesota credits tax properly paid to another state, so you owe only any difference.
Does a trade-in lower Minnesota tax?
Yes. Minnesota Revenue says the taxable price is the sales price minus rebates and trade-in allowance.
Does Wisconsin's lemon law cover me if I live in Minnesota?
WisDOT says vehicles purchased outside Wisconsin, or bought online and delivered outside Wisconsin, aren't covered by the Wisconsin Lemon Law. Ask us how delivery affects your situation.
Who handles the out-of-state paperwork?
If you finance with us, we handle all of it and pay a third-party company ourselves to process it. If you pay cash, you pay the selling price plus our $127.50 doc fee, then title and register it in your home state.
Next steps at Swant Graber
Two stores across Highway 8 from each other in Barron, serving Rice Lake, Cumberland, Chetek, Cameron and the whole Barron area. Ask for an itemized out-the-door quote on any vehicle.
Swant Graber Motors (Chevrolet, Ram, Dodge)
1690 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812
715-537-5657
Swant Graber Ford
1697 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812
715-537-9500
Sources
- Wisconsin DOR Publication 202: Sales and use tax information for motor vehicle sales: revenue.wi.gov
- Minnesota Department of Revenue: Motor vehicle sales tax: revenue.state.mn.us
- Minnesota Statutes 297B.08: Tax paid in other state; credit: revisor.mn.gov
- Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (title and registration): dps.mn.gov