Florida Boat Gift Transfer
How to Gift a Boat in Florida
Gift affidavit requirements, sales tax exemption for family gifts, title transfer steps, and common mistakes to avoid when gifting a boat in Florida.
Florida gift tax exemption
Florida does not collect sales tax on vehicles received as gifts. The new owner must submit a completed title application and an affidavit of gift to a Florida tax collector office.
Who qualifies: Florida gift exemption applies broadly but the title must clearly indicate "gift" as the sale price. Any consideration (money, services, assumption of debt) voids the gift exemption.
Florida DMV: https://www.flhsmv.gov
Documents you will need
- Signed title (back panel: sale price = $0, or "gift")
- Completed gift affidavit — signed by both the donor and recipient
- Valid government-issued ID for both parties
- Title transfer application from the Florida DMV
- Title transfer fee: $75.25
- Proof of insurance for the recipient (required for registration)
How to transfer a gifted boat in Florida
Confirm the title is clean
The title must be free of liens before you can gift the vehicle. If there is a loan on the boat, pay it off first and receive the lien release from the lender. A lienholder's signature is required on the title if a lien exists.
Sign the title
The donor signs the seller section on the back of the title. Enter $0 or "gift" in the sale price field. Record the odometer reading. Do not leave any fields blank — incomplete titles are rejected by the DMV.
Complete the gift affidavit
Both parties must complete and sign the gift affidavit. It certifies that no money, services, or other consideration changed hands. Florida does not require notarization on the gift affidavit, but it is recommended for fraud protection.
Submit to the Florida DMV
The recipient takes the signed title, gift affidavit, title transfer application, and ID to the Florida DMV or county motor vehicle office. Pay the title transfer fee ($75.25). The new title will be issued in the recipient's name.
Cancel insurance and file release of liability
The donor should file a notice of transfer or release of liability with the Florida DMV the same day. Cancel or transfer insurance. Remove your plates — in most states, plates stay with the owner not the vehicle. Keep copies of all documents for at least five years.
Important: Medicaid look-back rule
If the donor is over 65 or may apply for Medicaid in the next 5 years, a vehicle gift can be considered an asset transfer under the Medicaid look-back period (typically 60 months in most states). Medicaid may count the vehicle's fair market value as a disqualifying transfer if it was given away during that window. Consult an elder-law attorney before gifting a vehicle if Medicaid eligibility is a concern.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a gift affidavit to give a boat in Florida?
Yes. Florida requires a signed gift affidavit or gift certification to document that no money changed hands. This document is submitted to the Florida DMV alongside the title transfer application. Without it, the DMV may assess sales tax based on the vehicle's fair market value.
Is sales tax charged on a gifted boat in Florida?
Florida does not collect sales tax on vehicles received as gifts. The new owner must submit a completed title application and an affidavit of gift to a Florida tax collector office.
Who qualifies as a family member for the gift tax exemption in Florida?
Florida gift exemption applies broadly but the title must clearly indicate "gift" as the sale price. Any consideration (money, services, assumption of debt) voids the gift exemption.
Can I gift a boat that still has a loan on it?
No — you must pay off the loan and receive a lien release before gifting the vehicle. The title must be clear (no lienholder) before you can transfer it. If the recipient is taking over the loan payments, that constitutes an assumption of debt and may not qualify for the gift tax exemption.
What is the difference between gifting and selling for $1?
Selling for $1 is not recognized as a gift in most states. The DMV may assess use tax based on the vehicle's fair market value regardless of the stated sale price. A proper gift affidavit, with $0 consideration and a family relationship certification, is the correct approach. Gifting avoids the sales tax; a $1 sale typically does not.
Create a Florida Boat bill of sale
State-specific form with odometer disclosure — instant PDF.
Generate Florida Boat Bill of Sale