Family transfer — What You Need to Know
The vehicle is transferred between immediate family members. Many states offer reduced or waived sales and use tax for qualifying family transfers.
Seller guidance
Identify whether your state's DMV has a specific family transfer exemption form or requires a relationship affidavit. Qualifying relationships vary by state but typically include spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. Keep the bill of sale simple and clearly state the relationship.
Buyer guidance
Even if no money changes hands, you will owe use tax on fair market value in some states unless you qualify for the family exemption. Bring your relationship documentation (marriage certificate, birth certificate) to the DMV when re-registering. The title transfer process is otherwise the same as a standard sale.
Legal note (Arizona-specific)
Arizona imposes no transaction privilege tax or use tax on private-party vehicle transfers regardless of family relationship. The Arizona Department of Revenue confirms that casual sales between private parties are not taxable, so a family transfer — whether for consideration or at $0 — is treated identically to any private-party sale for tax purposes. The annual Vehicle License Tax (VLT) is still assessed upon registration. No special family transfer exemption form exists at the Arizona MVD. Complete Form 96-0236 (Title and Registration Application) and Form 38-1306 (Title Transfer Bill of Sale), and file within 15 days of the transfer.
Family transfer checklist
- Confirm qualifying family relationship under your state's DMV rules
- Obtain the required family transfer exemption form or affidavit
- Document fair market value on the bill of sale (for tax records)
- Bring relationship proof (marriage certificate, birth certificate) to the DMV
- Determine if IRS Form 709 is required if value exceeds the annual gift exclusion
- No Arizona use tax or TPT is owed on a private family transfer — the casual sale exemption applies to all private-party transactions regardless of relationship
- Complete Form 96-0236 (Title and Registration Application) and present at an MVD or Authorized Third Party office within 15 days of transfer
- Seller must submit a Sold Notice at azmvdnow.gov within 10 days of transfer
- VLT is still owed annually by the new registrant — budget for this at registration
- Transfers involving a lien, tribal registration exemptions, or power of attorney cannot be completed through eTitle Transfer and require an in-person MVD visit
Side by Side Safety & Recall Information
Data sourced from NHTSA safety ratings and recall databases
Average Safety Rating
0 / 5
Avg. Price Range
$5,000–$30,000
Odometer Disclosure
Not required
Safety checkpoints for side by side buyers
- Verify ROPS (cage) is intact and meets manufacturer specifications
- Check all seat belts and door/net latching mechanisms
- Inspect CV axles and boots — the highest-wear item on side-by-sides
- Test power steering operation and differential lock engagement
- Confirm headlights, taillights, brake lights, and (where required) turn signals function
- Verify horn and reverse-warning beeper operation
- Check that windshield (if equipped) is rated and unmodified
- Inspect parking brake operation on a 15-degree slope
Common recall categories
SteeringFuel SystemFire HazardSuspensionThrottle
On average, each side by side model has approximately 2.6 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls before completing a sale.
Arizona Tax & Fee Summary
Dealer sales: 5.6% + county. Private sales: flat $20 VLT instead
Private party sales pay a flat $20 vehicle license transfer fee instead of sales tax
Visit the official Arizona DMV website
Banner Elk Family transfer side by side pdf — when to file
Arizona requires title transfer within 15 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For family transfer transactions specifically, file at Arizona DMV – Banner Elk (Visit https://azdot.gov/mvd to find the nearest Banner Elk office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (verify hours with local office). Miss the 15-day window and Arizona typically charges a late-transfer penalty plus accrued use tax, and the seller can remain on the title for civil liability until the buyer completes retitling. Bring the signed title, the completed Banner Elk bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $4.00 title transfer fee plus 5.6% sales tax on the purchase price.
PDF reminder. Whether you keep your pdf as a signed digital PDF, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at Arizona DMV – Banner Elk; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.