Free Illinois Gift Bill of Sale
Gifting a vehicle in Illinois requires two separate forms: Form VSD 190 (Application for Vehicle Transaction) for the title and Form RUT-50 (Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction) for the tax filing. Mark 'Gift' on the RUT-50: Illinois's private party vehicle use tax applies to vehicles acquired by gift, not just purchases — check the RUT-50 instructions for how family transfers are treated.
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Gifting a vehicle to a family member is a zero-dollar transfer, but the DMV still needs a bill of sale to process the title change. Our guide explains how the bill of sale and title work together and what recipients must show to claim the family-gift tax exemption. Read: Bill of Sale vs Title: What's the Difference? →
Illinois Gift Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
See state rules
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Illinois Gift Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Sign the back of the existing title over to the recipient with odometer disclosure
- Complete Form VSD 190 (Application for Vehicle Transaction) for the title transfer
- Complete Form RUT-50 (Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction) — mark 'Gift' and, if it applies, the family transfer box
- Write $0 as the purchase price on the bill of sale and state the family relationship
- If in the Chicago metro area, confirm whether the vehicle needs an emissions test (required in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, and St. Clair counties)
- Apply for title at an Illinois SOS facility within 20 days after the vehicle and signed title are delivered (the RUT-50 is due within 30 days)
- Pay title and registration fees plus any RUT-50 tax due
Common Pitfalls
- Submitting VSD 190 without the RUT-50 — both forms are required; the SOS will not process the title transfer without the tax form
- Assuming a family gift is automatically tax-free — the RUT-50 tax covers vehicles acquired by gift; check the form's instructions for how family transfers are treated
- Forgetting emissions testing — vehicles registered in the Chicago metro counties require a passing emissions test before registration can be transferred
- Missing the 20-day title deadline — the recipient risks late fees and driving with an unregistered vehicle
- Not completing the odometer disclosure on the title — federal law requires odometer disclosure for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer and under 16,000 lbs
Illinois Gift Bill of Sale — FAQs
Do I need to file Form RUT-50 on a family gift?
Yes. The Illinois private party vehicle use tax covers vehicles acquired by gift from another individual, so Form RUT-50 is filed for gifts too. Mark 'Gift' and, if it applies, the family transfer box. Skipping the form will result in the SOS rejecting the title transfer application.
How are family gifts treated on Illinois's RUT-50?
Illinois's private party vehicle use tax applies to vehicles acquired by gift from another individual, so the RUT-50 is filed either way. Check the current RUT-50 instructions for how family transfers are treated; other transfers follow the normal RUT-50 rules — by model year when the price is under $15,000, or by price at $15,000 or more.
Where do I submit the title transfer documents in Illinois?
Submit Form VSD 190, Form RUT-50, and the signed title at any Illinois Secretary of State facility (keep your bill of sale as a record). You can find office locations on the Illinois SOS website at ilsos.gov. Apply within 20 days after the vehicle and the signed title are delivered; the RUT-50 is due within 30 days.
Does my vehicle need an emissions test before I can transfer the title?
It depends on where the recipient lives. Illinois requires emissions testing in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, and St. Clair counties. If the recipient is registering the vehicle in one of these counties, a current emissions certificate is required.