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Massachusetts Guide

How to Gift a Car in Massachusetts

Last verified: October 2026 against Massachusetts RMV and DOR sources

A car transferred from a parent, spouse, child, or sibling, or given as a true gift, is exempt from Massachusetts sales tax when the previous owner paid the tax.

Here is how to claim the exemption and register the car.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Pick the right exemption

    A transfer from a father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, son, or daughter uses Form MVU-26. The family exemption does not cover a grandparent, cousin, uncle, or aunt.

    Any other true gift uses Form MVU-24. In both cases the previous owner must have paid Massachusetts sales or use tax.

  2. 2

    Make sure it is really a gift

    For the gift exemption, neither of you may pay or promise payment, neither may take on a debt tied to the transfer, and the giver must intend it as a gift.

  3. 3

    Complete the title

    On the back of the title, fill in the date transferred, the odometer reading, and "Gift" as the price. You and the previous owner both sign.

  4. 4

    Get insurance and the RTA form

    Your insurance company stamps the Registration and Title Application, and you sign it. The previous owner completes and signs the MVU-26 or MVU-24.

  5. 5

    Register in person and get an inspection

    Take everything to an RMV Service Center (not Natick). Pay the $75 title fee, the registration fee, and the $25 non-refundable gift transfer fee. Get an inspection sticker within 7 days.

What to bring

  • The title, signed by both of you with the date, odometer reading, and "Gift"
  • Form MVU-26 (family) or MVU-24 (gift), completed and signed by the previous owner
  • Registration and Title Application, signed by you and stamped by your insurer
  • Payment for the $75 title, registration, and $25 gift transfer fee
  • An inspection within 7 days of registering

Estimate your Massachusetts costs

For an exempt family or gift transfer, enter $0 as the price to see the title and registration fees. The $25 gift transfer fee is not included.

Open the full Massachusetts calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

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

51 Jurisdictions Active
Massachusetts 6.25% tax base
$
7 years old
Massachusetts tag options
2-Year Term (Massachusetts registers for two years)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $0.00
Massachusetts: Non-Deductible
$

Massachusetts Notice: Massachusetts gives no trade-in credit on a private sale. The tax is on the price or the clean trade-in value, whichever is higher.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

Massachusetts

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,072.50

Sales/Excise Tax + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (6.25%)

6.25% assessed on vehicle Fair Market Value

$937.50
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$75.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$60.00

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

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Massachusetts RMV or Department of Revenue.

The estimate uses the price you enter. Massachusetts taxes the clean trade-in value instead when it is higher than the price, so the tax at the RMV can be more.

The yearly motor vehicle excise billed by your city or town is not included. It is $25 per $1,000 of value, where the value is a share of the manufacturer’s list price (90% in the model year, then 60%, 40%, 25%, and 10% from the fifth year on), with a $5 minimum.

Gifts recorded on Form MVU-24 have a $25 gift transfer fee, which is not included.

A motorcycle is $20 a year, shown here as $40 for the two-year view.

County & Local Tax Note: Massachusetts has no local sales tax on vehicles. Your city or town bills a separate motor vehicle excise every year: $25 per $1,000 of a value set from the original list price, not the price you paid. It is not included here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this Massachusetts RMV and DOR process.

Not under the family exemption, which covers parents, spouses, children, and siblings. It can still qualify as a gift on Form MVU-24 if nothing is paid and no debt is taken on.

Sources

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

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How to Title a Private Car Sale in MassachusettsInsurance and the RTA form, 10 days, 6.25% tax, and inspection.Titling a Car in Massachusetts After Moving From Another StateRegister right away, Form MVU-29, insurance, and inspection.
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