Gifting a Car in Florida: Tax & Transfer Guide
Sales tax exemptions, required forms, notarization rules, and federal gift tax basics for vehicle transfers in Florida.
Florida exempts vehicle gifts between lineal relatives (parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, great-grandparent, great-grandchild) and spouses from sales tax.
Gift Transfer at a Glance
Eligible Relationships in Florida
The following relationships typically qualify for the sales tax gift exemption in Florida:
Florida's exemption is limited to lineal relatives and spouses. Siblings, in-laws, and other relatives do not qualify for the exemption. Gifts to non-qualifying recipients are taxed at 6% based on the vehicle's average retail value (not the gift price of $0).
How to Gift a Car in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a car gift exempt from sales tax in Florida?
Florida exempts vehicle gifts between lineal relatives (parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, great-grandparent, great-grandchild) and spouses from sales tax.
What forms are needed to gift a car in Florida?
No special gift form required. The relationship is declared during the title transfer process at the tax collector's office.
Do I need to pay federal gift tax when giving a car in Florida?
Federal gift tax annual exclusion: $18,000 per recipient (2024). Most vehicle gifts fall under this threshold.
Who qualifies for the family gift exemption in Florida?
In Florida, the eligible relationships for the gift transfer exemption include: Spouse, Parent, Child, Grandparent, Grandchild, Great-grandparent, Great-grandchild.
Does a car gift need to be notarized in Florida?
Florida does not require notarization for a family gift transfer. The signed title is sufficient.
Can I gift a car to a non-family member in Florida?
Gifts to non-family members in Florida are generally subject to standard sales tax based on the vehicle's fair market value — not the $0 gift price. The federal gift tax annual exclusion ($18,000 in 2024) still applies on the federal side.