Gift transfer — Tennessee

Tennessee Side by Side bill of sale for gift transfer | Printable PDF

Complete your Tennessee side by side bill of sale for a gift transfer transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.

TennesseeSide by SideGift transfer
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Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: March 20266 min readEditorial policy

What to know about gift transfer sales in Tennessee

If the vehicle's fair market value exceeds the annual gift tax exclusion ($18,000 for 2024 per IRS), the donor must file IRS Form 709 (United States Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return). The lifetime exemption ($13.61 million in 2024) typically means no tax is owed, but the form is still required. Some states require the word "gift" on the title or a separate gift affidavit to waive use tax.

What to include in your bill of sale

  • Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
  • Side by Side make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
  • Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
  • Any gift transfer-specific disclosures required in Tennessee.

Seller guidance

If the vehicle's fair market value exceeds the annual gift tax exclusion ($18,000 for 2024 per IRS), the donor must file IRS Form 709 (United States Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return). The lifetime exemption ($13.61 million in 2024) typically means no tax is owed, but the form is still required. Some states require the word "gift" on the title or a separate gift affidavit to waive use tax.

Buyer guidance

You will likely owe use tax on the fair market value of the vehicle at registration unless your state exempts immediate family gifts. California, for example, exempts transfers between parents, children, spouses, and domestic partners. Check your state DMV for exemption eligibility.

Tennessee-Specific Note

Tennessee charges 7% sales tax on vehicle purchases, but family transfers receive a reduced title fee of $1. Complete a Vehicle Application (Form RV-F1301701) and indicate the transfer as a gift or family transfer. Qualifying family includes spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild.

Legal considerations

Tennessee charges 7% sales tax on vehicle purchases, but family transfers receive a reduced title fee of $1. Complete a Vehicle Application (Form RV-F1301701) and indicate the transfer as a gift or family transfer. Qualifying family includes spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild.

Tennessee Legal Requirements

Under federal law, gifts of vehicles exceeding $18,000 in fair market value (2024 annual exclusion) require the donor to file IRS Form 709, though the $13.61 million lifetime exemption means actual gift tax is rarely owed. Most states do not impose a separate state gift tax, but many require a gift affidavit or notation on the title to waive sales or use tax. Check your state DMV for the specific form and eligible family relationships that qualify for the tax exemption.

Source: IRC § 2503(b); IRS Form 709

Checklist for this transaction

  • 1Establish fair market value (Kelley Blue Book or comparable)
  • 2Determine if IRS Form 709 filing is required (value >$18,000 in 2024)
  • 3Obtain state-specific gift affidavit or complete the gift section on the title
  • 4Confirm state sales/use tax exemption eligibility for family gifts
  • 5Notarize the bill of sale or gift affidavit if your state requires it
  • 6Complete Vehicle Application Form RV-F1301701
  • 7Indicate "gift" or "family transfer" for the reduced $1 title fee
  • 8Verify the recipient qualifies as immediate family under TN law

Need the printable workflow?

Use the main Tennessee side by side bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.

Open Tennessee Side by Side bill of sale

Frequently asked questions

When should I use the gift transfer page?

Use this page when your side by side sale in Tennessee fits a gift transfer scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.

Why does the gift transfer scenario have its own page?

Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a gift transfer transaction specifically.

What should be included in this bill of sale?

Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the gift transfer transaction.

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