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

Gifting a car in Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont

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.

Vermont-Specific Facts for Vehicle Gift Tax

Vermont Vehicle transfer fees and requirements

In Vermont, the title transfer fee is $35 and registration costs $76 per year. Vehicle sales are subject to 6% purchase and use tax on vehicles. Vermont does not require notarization for private-party vehicle transfers. Emission testing is required in Vermont — verify the vehicle passes before completing the sale.

Annual safety and emissions inspection required
Title transfer within 30 days
Vermont is popular for out-of-state titling due to accessible process

Official Vermont bill of sale form

The official Vermont bill of sale form is VD-012 (Bill of Sale). BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets all Vermont requirements and can be used in place of the official form.

Vermont sales tax on vehicle purchases

Vermont has a 6% state sales tax rate. Flat 6% purchase and use tax statewide. Private-party vehicle sales in Vermont are subject to sales tax. Purchase and use tax applies to all vehicle sales. The title transfer fee is $35.

Vermont bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 183 bill of sale documents for Vermont transactions, with 5 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

More Vermont Vehicle Guides

Each guide is written specifically for Vermont 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 Vermont?

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 Vermont?

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 Vermont?

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 Vermont?