Illinois vs New York: Car Bill of Sale Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side: Illinois vs New York car sale
| Feature | Illinois | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Official bill of sale form | Generic bill of sale accepted | MV-912 — Vehicle Bill of Sale |
| Sales / use tax rate | 6.25% sales/use tax · Illinois procedure | 4% sales/use tax · New York procedure |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $150 | $50 |
| Title transfer deadline | 20 days from sale | 10 days from sale |
| Notarization requirement | Not required | Not required |
| Lien release process | VSD 790 | MV-190 |
| Odometer disclosure cutoff | Required for cars newer than 2011 | Required for cars newer than 2011 |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Not required | Required (out-of-state vehicles) |
| Titling agency | Illinois SOS | New York DMV |
When to choose Illinois vs New York
New York charges 4% vs 6.25% in Illinois, a 2.25-point spread the buyer pays at title transfer. Illinois requires title transfer within 20 days; New York allows 10. Tight 10-day deadlines push back-dated late fees onto buyers who delay. New York publishes MV-912 as the official bill of sale form; Illinois accepts a generic bill of sale that includes the federally-required odometer disclosure. For a car sale comparison, the buyer-side cost stack is dominated by sales/use tax, title fee, and any inspection or notary trip. Sellers should match the bill of sale format to the buyer's titling state because the buyer files the title transfer, not the seller.
Cross-state transfer: Illinois to New York
If the car moves from Illinois to New York after the sale, the buyer registers and titles in New York — not Illinois. The seller's bill of sale should still match Illinois sale-side conventions (because the sale happened there), but the buyer takes that bill of sale plus the endorsed Illinois title to New York DMV within 10 days of arrival. New York will assess 4% sales or use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued. New York requires a VIN inspection for vehicles arriving from out of state — Out-of-state vehicles must pass a NY safety inspection within 10 days of registration. The federal odometer disclosure rules apply regardless of which state owns the title at sale time; cars newer than 2011 need a written odometer reading on the bill of sale or title. If a lien existed on the Illinois title, the Illinois lienholder must release it (VSD 790) before New York DMV will issue a clean title to the buyer.
Generate a state-specific car bill of sale
Pick the buyer's titling state — the form ships pre-filled with the right odometer block, signature lines, and state-specific fields.
Frequently asked questions — Illinois vs New York
Is the car bill of sale form different in Illinois vs New York?▾
New York publishes MV-912 as its official bill of sale form. Illinois does not require a specific form — a typed or generated bill of sale that includes buyer, seller, car details, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures is accepted.
Which state has lower sales tax on a private-party car sale, Illinois or New York?▾
New York (4%) has the lower published state rate vs Illinois (6.25%). Local county and city rates can shift this — check the buyer's home county before the sale.
What is the title transfer deadline for a car in Illinois vs New York?▾
Illinois requires the buyer to title the car within 20 days of sale. New York allows 10 days. Missing the deadline triggers late fees and back-dated registration penalties in both states.
Do I need to notarize the car bill of sale in Illinois or New York?▾
Neither Illinois nor New York requires notarization of the car bill of sale. A signed document with both parties' full names, addresses, and the date is sufficient.
If I sell a car in Illinois and the buyer registers it in New York, which state's rules apply?▾
The buyer titles and registers the car in New York — New York's rules govern the title transfer. The seller's bill of sale should still reflect Illinois sale-side conventions because the sale closed there. New York DMV will assess 4% sales/use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued, regardless of where the sale occurred.