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

Gifting a car in Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah

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.

Utah-Specific Facts for Vehicle Gift Tax

Utah Vehicle transfer fees and requirements

In Utah, the title transfer fee is $6 and registration costs $44 - $150+ depending on vehicle age and type. Vehicle sales are subject to 6.1% state sales tax plus local taxes (up to ~8.5%). Utah does not require notarization for private-party vehicle transfers. Emission testing is required in Utah — verify the vehicle passes before completing the sale.

Safety and emissions inspection required in Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties
Title transfer at DMV within 48 hours of sale
Age-based registration fee structure

Official Utah bill of sale form

The official Utah bill of sale form is TC-656 (Bill of Sale). BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets all Utah requirements and can be used in place of the official form.

Utah sales tax on vehicle purchases

Utah has a 6.1% state sales tax rate. 6.1% state plus local taxes (total up to ~8.5%). Private-party vehicle sales in Utah are subject to sales tax. Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases. The title transfer fee is $6.

Utah bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 901 bill of sale documents for Utah transactions, with 24 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

More Utah Vehicle Guides

Each guide is written specifically for Utah 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 Utah?

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 Utah?

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 Utah?

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 Utah?