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Florida Guide

How to Gift a Car in Florida

Last verified: October 2026 against FLHSMV and Florida DOR sources

Florida does not charge sales tax on a car given as a gift between individuals, whoever the recipient is, as long as nothing is paid and no loan is taken over.

Here is how to transfer a gifted car.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Make sure it is a gift

    No payment of any kind is made, in money or otherwise, and the recipient does not take over an outstanding lien. If the giver is also the lienholder, the transfer is treated as a sale.

  2. 2

    Transfer the title

    The giver completes the title transfer section with the odometer reading. For an electronic title, both of you visit a motor vehicle service center with photo ID.

  3. 3

    Claim the exemption on the title application

    On the Application for Certificate of Title (HSMV 82040), declare the gift exemption and include a sworn statement with a description of the vehicle, the giver’s name and address, and statements that nothing was paid and no lien is being taken over.

  4. 4

    Insure and title within 30 days

    Get Florida PIP and PDL insurance and apply at a motor vehicle service center within 30 days. Title and registration fees still apply, plus the $225 initial registration fee if you have no Florida plate to transfer.

  5. 5

    Keep the plate rules in mind

    The giver keeps their plate. You transfer your own plate or get a new one.

When tax is still owed

  • Any payment is made, in money or otherwise.
  • The recipient takes over an outstanding loan on the car.
  • The giver is also the lender (lienholder).
  • A sale between relatives is taxed like any other sale.

What to bring

  • The title, transferred by the giver with the odometer reading
  • HSMV 82040 with the gift exemption declared and a sworn statement
  • Proof of Florida PIP and PDL insurance
  • Photo ID
  • Payment for title and registration fees

Estimate your Florida costs

For a gift, enter $0 as the price. The calculator then shows the title and registration costs, plus the $225 and $28 fees if you have no plate to transfer.

Open the full Florida calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in Florida.

51 Jurisdictions Active
Florida 6% tax base
$
7 years old
Standard Passenger
Florida tag options
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $2.00
Florida: Deductible
$

Florida Statute: Florida allows trade-in value on private sales to be deducted from the purchase price before applying the 6% fee.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

Florida

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,299.45 – $1,399.45

Sales/Excise Tax (State + Local Range) + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration + Initial Registration + Plate Fee

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (6% State + Local Range)

State tax $900.00 + Local tax (varies by county) $0.00–$100.00 on the first $5,000.00

$900.00 – $1,000.00
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$75.25
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$71.20
5Initial Registration Fee

One-time fee when you have no plate of your own to transfer

$225.00
6New License Plate

New metal plate when you have no plate to transfer

$28.00

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Florida rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Florida Department of Revenue or FLHSMV.

Florida sales tax is 6%. Most counties add a discretionary surtax of 0.5% to 2% on the first $5,000, based on the buyer’s county of residence. The estimate shows the range from no surtax to 2%.

A $225 initial registration fee and $28 metal plate fee apply when the buyer has no Florida plate to transfer. They are included unless you answer Yes to the plate question.

Registration shown is for cars of 2,500 to 3,499 lbs ($35.60) and 3,500 lbs and up ($45.60). Cars under 2,500 lbs pay $27.60.

A trade-in between individuals reduces the taxable price only when vehicles are traded in a single transaction, documented on the bill of sale and titles.

A paper title is $77.75 instead of $75.25.

County & Local Tax Note: Most Florida counties add a discretionary sales surtax of 0.5% to 2% (Citrus and Collier have none), based on the buyer’s county of residence. It applies only to the first $5,000 of the price, so it adds at most $100.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this FLHSMV and Florida DOR process.

Anyone. A gift between individuals is not taxed when nothing is paid and no outstanding lien is taken over.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with FLHSMV and Florida DOR before you go.

More Florida guides

How to Title a Private Car Sale in FloridaThe title transfer, 30-day deadline, sales tax, and the $225 fee.Titling a Car in Florida After Moving From Another StateThe 10-day deadline, VIN verification, the $225 fee, and use tax.
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