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New York Guide

How to Gift a Car in New York

Last verified: October 2026 against NYS DMV and NYS Tax Department sources

New York does not charge sales tax on a vehicle given as a gift, or bought from your spouse, parent, child, stepparent, or stepchild. You claim the exemption on Form DTF-802.

Here is how to transfer a gifted car.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Sign over the title

    The person giving the car completes and signs the transfer section on the title.

  2. 2

    Write a $0 bill of sale

    A bill of sale is still needed for a gift. List the price as $0 and note that the vehicle is a gift. Both of you sign it.

  3. 3

    Claim the exemption on Form DTF-802

    On the Statement of Transaction (DTF-802), note the vehicle as a gift. For a gift from anyone other than a spouse, parent, child, stepparent, or stepchild, the person giving the car completes section 6 of the form.

  4. 4

    Get New York insurance

    You need proof of New York auto liability insurance to register.

  5. 5

    Register at a DMV office

    Bring the forms and pay the $50 title fee and registration. Registration is a 2-year fee by weight, plus $25 for plates and any county use tax. Get an inspection within 10 days.

Purchases from family

  • No sales tax is due on a purchase from your spouse, parent, child, stepparent, or stepchild, even if you pay for it.
  • Purchases from other relatives are taxed like any other sale, unless the vehicle is a gift.

What to bring

  • The title, signed over by the person giving the car
  • A bill of sale showing $0 and noting the gift
  • Statement of Transaction (DTF-802), with section 6 completed if the giver is not a close family member
  • Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82)
  • Proof of New York insurance and proof of identity
  • Payment for the title fee, registration, and plates

Estimate your New York costs

For a gift, enter $0 as the price. The calculator then shows only the title and registration costs.

Open the full New York calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

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

51 Jurisdictions Active
New York 4% tax base
$
7 years old
Sets the registration fee

New York prices registration by the vehicle's unladen weight. Check the sticker on the driver's side door frame. Blank uses 3,500 lbs.

New York tag options
2-Year Term (New York registers for two years)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $5.00
New York: Non-Deductible
$

New York Notice: New York taxes the full agreed vehicle price. Trade-ins do not reduce the tax base on private-party sales.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

New York

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,156.50 – $1,437.75

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

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (4% State + Local Range)

State tax $600.00 + Local tax (varies by county) $450.00–$731.25

$1,050.00 – $1,331.25
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$50.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags for 3,500 lbs

$56.50

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New York rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the NYS DMV or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Sales tax is 4% state tax plus local tax (combined 7% to 8.875%) at the rate where the buyer lives, paid to the DMV with Form DTF-802.

Registration shown is the 2-year fee from the DMV weight chart. Also due on an original registration: $25 for plates. New York City and many counties add a vehicle use tax of $10 to $60 for 2 years, and the 12 counties of the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District add a $50 supplemental fee for 2 years.

Motorcycle registration is $17.50 a year.

Have the vehicle inspected within 10 days of registering. An inspection issued to the previous owner is not valid.

County & Local Tax Note: New York’s 4% state sales tax plus local tax gives combined rates from 7% to 8.875% (8.875% in New York City). The rate is set by where the buyer lives, and the DMV collects it when you register.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NYS DMV and NYS Tax Department process.

No. Claim the gift exemption on Form DTF-802. If the giver is not your spouse, parent, child, stepparent, or stepchild, they complete section 6 of the form.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with NYS DMV and NYS Tax Department before you go.

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