Vehicle Gift Tax in Illinois: Who Pays, Who's Exempt, and What Forms You Need

Gifting a car in Illinois comes with specific tax rules that vary by relationship and vehicle value. Here is what the recipient owes, which family members qualify for exemptions, and exactly which forms to file.

Does Illinois Tax Vehicle Gifts?

Rules vary significantly by state — some states offer full exemptions for family gifts, others charge full sales tax on fair market value.

Always check with your state DMV or tax authority before completing the transfer.

Family Members Exempt in Illinois

Varies by state — spouses are commonly exempt; parent-child transfers may or may not be exempt

Contact your state DMV to confirm whether your relationship qualifies for a gift tax exemption.

Required Forms

Most states require a title transfer form plus a gift affidavit or statement of transaction

Your state DMV will provide the correct forms. Some states require notarization of the gift affidavit.

How Fair Market Value Is Assessed

Most states use NADA or Kelley Blue Book retail value as the baseline fair market value for tax assessment.

If the vehicle has significant damage or high mileage, a professional appraisal can support a lower FMV.

Federal Gift Tax

The federal annual gift exclusion is $18,000 (2024). Gifts above this amount require IRS Form 709. Most vehicle gifts fall under this threshold.

Penalty for Misrepresentation

Misrepresenting a sale as a gift to avoid taxes is tax fraud in all states. Penalties include back taxes, interest, and potential criminal charges.

Illinois-Specific Facts for Vehicle Gift Tax

Illinois Vehicle transfer fees and requirements

In Illinois, the title transfer fee is $150 and registration costs $151 per year. Vehicle sales are subject to 6.25% state tax on private sales; local taxes may add 1-4%. Illinois does not require notarization for private-party vehicle transfers. Emission testing is required in Illinois — verify the vehicle passes before completing the sale.

Emissions testing required in Chicagoland and Metro-East St. Louis areas
Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price
Title transfer within 20 days of sale
RUT-50 form required for private party purchases

Illinois sales tax on vehicle purchases

Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. 6.25% state plus 1–4% local taxes. Private-party vehicle sales in Illinois are subject to sales tax. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket. The title transfer fee is $150.

Illinois bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 3,087 bill of sale documents for Illinois transactions, with 83 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

More Illinois Vehicle Guides

Each guide is written specifically for Illinois laws, agencies, and procedures. Bookmark for future reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I owe sales tax when I gift a car to a family member in Illinois?

Rules vary significantly by state — some states offer full exemptions for family gifts, others charge full sales tax on fair market value. Always check with your state DMV or tax authority before completing the transfer.

Which family members are tax-exempt for vehicle gifts in Illinois?

Varies by state — spouses are commonly exempt; parent-child transfers may or may not be exempt. Contact your state DMV to confirm whether your relationship qualifies for a gift tax exemption.

What forms do I need to gift a car in Illinois?

Most states require a title transfer form plus a gift affidavit or statement of transaction. Your state DMV will provide the correct forms. Some states require notarization of the gift affidavit.

Does federal gift tax apply to vehicle gifts in Illinois?