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Free Indiana Car Bill of Sale

Indiana runs a uniform car-sale system: a flat 7% sales tax that is identical in all 92 counties (no city or county may add a cent), a centralized BMV whose branches all process the same paperwork, and no statewide inspection — only Lake and Porter counties in the northwest corner test emissions, a legacy of the Chicago metro airshed. The forms are the pair to keep straight: State Form 44237 is the BILL OF SALE and State Form 205 is the TITLE APPLICATION, so double-check the numbers before the BMV visit. Title promptly — Indiana charges an administrative penalty for late applications.

Indiana Requirements: Transfer title within 45 days. 7% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Car Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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First time selling a car privately? Our complete guide covers how to verify the buyer, which payment methods are safe, what paperwork the DMV actually needs, and the odometer disclosure mistake that can make a transaction legally void. Read: Car Bill of Sale: Complete Guide →

Indiana Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Form 205 / Form 44237
Application for Certificate of Title / Bill of Sale
Agency
Indiana BMV
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
7%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

Indiana charges 7.0% flat state sales tax on vehicle sales — no local add-ons. Tax is on actual sale price.

Inspection Requirements

Indiana does not require statewide safety or emissions inspection. Lake and Porter counties (NW Indiana, Gary/Hammond metro) require emissions testing every 2 years.

Indiana Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Complete a bill of sale (State Form 44237) with VIN, odometer, sale price — the BMV uses one only in limited cases, such as a title missing the sale date or price.
  2. Seller completes odometer disclosure on Indiana title.
  3. Seller signs title over.
  4. Buyer completes State Form 205 (Application for Certificate of Title) at Indiana BMV within 45 days.
  5. Buyer pays 7.0% flat state tax + $15 title fee + registration.
  6. Lake/Porter counties: confirm emissions certificate.
  7. Seller removes the license plate at the sale and may move it to another vehicle they own; the buyer gets a new plate and registration at the BMV.

Common Pitfalls

  • Missing the 45-day deadline — an administrative penalty applies.
  • Underreporting sale price — the 7% tax is due on the purchase price.
  • Forgetting emissions in Lake/Porter (NW Indiana only).
  • Assuming a newer car skips emissions in Lake or Porter County. Only the four latest model years are exempt; after that, cars of 9,000 lbs GVWR or less are tested every two years, in odd years for odd model years and even years for even ones.

Pro Tip

IN car sales: flat 7% tax, BMV process, 45-day deadline, no inspection (except Lake/Porter).

Indiana Car Bill of Sale — FAQs

Does Indiana have local vehicle sales tax?
No. Indiana's 7% state sales tax is flat — no local county or city add-ons. On a $15,000 car, tax is $1,050 regardless of which Indiana county you live in.
Which Indiana counties require emissions testing?
Only Lake and Porter counties (NW Indiana — Gary, Hammond, Merrillville area) require biennial emissions testing. All other Indiana counties have no emissions or safety inspection.
Does Indiana require a bill of sale for a car?
Not for a normal sale of a titled car. The signed title moves ownership, and the BMV says a bill of sale cannot transfer a vehicle that must be titled. The BMV accepts one as the ownership paper only in narrow cases: the car never had to be titled, a sheriff's bill of sale, a car sold at auction by a city, town, or county, or a car bought from the federal government (on Standard Form 97). If you bought a car out of state with only a bill of sale, the BMV says to ask that state's agency whether it needed a title.
Can a bill of sale be handwritten in Indiana?
Yes. The BMV accepts State Form 44237 "or similar document", so a handwritten one works if it has what the BMV lists: the buyer's name, the car's year, make, and model, the VIN, the seller's signature, and the seller's address. The VIN can be left off only when the bill of sale just fills in a missing date or price on the title. No notary is needed.
What paperwork does a seller hand over in an Indiana private car sale?
The title, with both the seller and the buyer sections filled in completely; the BMV tells buyers to check this before they go to a branch. Any loan must be released by the lender before the sale. The seller then takes off the license plate. Indiana does not want old plates returned, and the seller can move them to another vehicle they own.
What does it cost to title a used car in Indiana, and what if I am late?
The BMV fee chart lists $15 to issue a title and $25 extra for a speed title. Miss the 45-day window and the late-title penalty is $30. Sales tax on a private sale is paid at the branch when you apply. Card payments add a fee of $0.40 plus 2.06%.
I bought a car in another state. What does Indiana need?
An Indiana VIN inspection. It is free at any BMV branch or certified service provider, or a police officer can do it for up to $5 using State Form 39530. If you paid sales tax in the other state, Indiana gives credit for it and you pay only the difference, if any.

Other Indiana Templates

Vehicle Bill of SaleUsed Car Bill of SaleMotorcycle Bill of SaleBoat Bill of SaleTrailer Bill of SaleHorse Bill of SaleATV Bill of SaleGun / Firearm Bill of SaleRV Bill of SaleGeneral Bill of SaleFree Printable Bill of SaleOdometer Disclosure Bill of SaleAs-Is Bill of SaleGift Bill of Sale

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