Bay City, Michigan

Bay City, Michigan Farm Equipment Bill of Sale for Business sale — Print a Ready-to-Sign Form

Print a farm equipment bill of sale form for your business sale in Bay City, Michigan. Fill in the details online, then print the completed document for both parties to sign.

Print a ready-to-sign form

Print Instructions

Paper Size

US Letter (8.5 × 11 in)

Margins

0.5 in minimum all sides

Ink

Black ink, laser or inkjet

Before You Print

☐Verify the VIN matches the farm equipment title exactly
☐Confirm buyer and seller names match government-issued IDs
☐Have both parties present at the time of signing
☐Bring a valid photo ID accepted by Michigan
☐Print at least two copies — one for each party

Both parties should sign with a ballpoint pen in blue or black ink. Initial any corrections rather than using correction fluid.

Business sale — What You Need to Know

A business entity (LLC, corporation, partnership) is either the buyer or seller. The transaction requires proof of authority for the individual signing on behalf of the entity.

Seller guidance

If the business is selling, ensure the person signing the bill of sale has authority under the business's operating agreement, bylaws, or a board resolution. The title should be in the business's legal name. Provide the buyer with documentation of signatory authority (e.g., a certificate of incumbency or corporate resolution).

Buyer guidance

If buying on behalf of a business, confirm your authority to purchase in the business's organizational documents. The title should be issued in the business's legal name, and your EIN will be needed for the registration. If purchasing a vehicle from a business, verify the seller's representative has authority and that any prior UCC or tax liens on the vehicle are released.

Legal note

Contracts signed by an unauthorized representative of a business entity may be voidable under agency law and state corporation/LLC statutes. A business seller must ensure no UCC lien (Article 9 fixture filing) or federal/state tax lien is attached to the vehicle. Business vehicle sales may trigger additional tax reporting obligations (Form 4797 for depreciated business assets, potential sales tax on the entity's basis).

Business sale checklist

Confirm the signatory has authority (operating agreement, board resolution, or power of attorney)
Verify the title is in the exact legal name of the business entity
Run a UCC and tax lien search on the business seller
Obtain an EIN for title registration if buying on behalf of an entity
Consult a tax advisor regarding depreciation recapture and Form 4797 implications

Farm Equipment Safety & Recall Information

Data sourced from NHTSA safety ratings and recall databases

Average Safety Rating

0 / 5

Avg. Price Range

$5,000–$200,000

Odometer Disclosure

Not required

Safety checkpoints for farm equipment buyers

Inspect all safety guards and shields — OSHA requires guarding on all PTO and moving parts
Check hydraulic system pressure and hose condition
Verify operator station controls and emergency shutoff function
Test lights and SMV signage for road transport
Confirm fire extinguisher is present and current (combine/baler standard)
Inspect ladder, platform, and handrails on cab-equipment
Test seat-presence switch and ensure safety interlocks are not bypassed
Verify pinch-point warning decals are legible and unmodified

Common recall categories

Hydraulic SystemElectricalSafety GuardsFire HazardSteering

On average, each farm equipment model has approximately 0.9 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls before completing a sale.

Michigan Tax & Fee Summary

State Sales Tax Rate

Title Transfer Fee

$15

Private Party Exempt

Flat 6% use tax statewide

Use tax applies to private party vehicle purchases

Visit the official Michigan DMV website

Local Requirements — Bay City County

DMV / Title Office

Secretary of State – Bay City

Address

Visit https://www.michigan.gov/sos for the nearest Bay City, MI office

Phone

See state DMV website for local office phone numbers

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

https://www.michigan.gov/sos

Transfer Fees & Taxes — Bay City

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

7.50%

Base Registration Fee

Varies by weight

Michigan state rate 6% + estimated local taxes (verify with your county)

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Michigan does not require notarization for private vehicle bills of sale. Buyer and seller signatures on the completed title assignment are sufficient.

Bay City Transfer Checklist

Complete a title transfer at your local Michigan title office within the required timeframe
Use tax applies to private party vehicle purchases
Both buyer and seller should retain a signed copy of the bill of sale
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and proof of insurance

County Information — Bay City County

County Clerk / Recorder

Bay City County Clerk

Phone

See county website for contact information

Website

https://www.google.com/search?q=Bay%20City%20Michigan%20county%20clerk

Bay City Business sale farm equipment printable — when to file

Michigan requires title transfer within 15 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For business sale transactions specifically, file at Secretary of State – Bay City (Visit https://www.michigan.gov/sos for the nearest Bay City, MI office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Miss the 15-day window and Michigan 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 Bay City bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $15.00 title transfer fee plus 7.50% sales tax on the purchase price.

Printable reminder. Whether you keep your printable as a printed two-copy paper record, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at Secretary of State – Bay City; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.

Frequently asked questions

What business sale documents do I need for a farm equipment sale in Bay City, Michigan?

For a business sale farm equipment transaction in Bay City, you need: Confirm the signatory has authority (operating agreement, board resolution, or power of attorney); Verify the title is in the exact legal name of the business entity; Run a UCC and tax lien search on the business seller; Obtain an EIN for title registration if buying on behalf of an entity; Consult a tax advisor regarding depreciation recapture and Form 4797 implications.

What is the sales tax on a farm equipment private sale in Bay City, Michigan?

The combined sales tax rate in Bay City is 7.50%. Michigan state rate 6% + estimated local taxes (verify with your county)

Do I need to notarize a farm equipment bill of sale in Michigan?

No, notarization is not required. Michigan does not require notarization for private vehicle bills of sale. Buyer and seller signatures on the completed title assignment are sufficient.

What are common recalls for a farm equipment?

Common recall categories for farm equipments include: Hydraulic System, Electrical, Safety Guards, Fire Hazard, Steering. On average, each farm equipment model has approximately 0.9 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov before completing a sale.