Free Indiana Vehicle Bill of Sale
Buying or selling a vehicle in Indiana means working with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and dealing with a flat 7% sales tax that applies the same way in every county. Indiana publishes its own bill of sale (Form 44237), and you have 45 days from the sale to transfer the title before late fees kick in. There is no statewide inspection requirement — only Lake and Porter counties (the Chicago suburbs) require emissions testing.
Free PDF includes a light diagonal watermark. Go Pro to remove it. Already subscribed? Sign in.
Indiana Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Indiana charges a flat 7% state sales tax on motor vehicle purchases. There are no local or county add-on rates for vehicles, so the rate is the same statewide whether you buy in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, or Evansville.
Exemption: Some transfers, such as certain family transfers, gifts or inheritances, may be exempt; confirm with the BMV before assuming no sales tax is due.
Inspection Requirements
Indiana has no statewide safety inspection requirement. Emissions inspection (I/M testing) is required only in Lake and Porter counties in northwest Indiana (the Chicago metro area) every two years for vehicles manufactured after 1975 with a GVWR of 9,000 lbs or less; the four latest model years and antique vehicles are exempt.
Indiana Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Complete Form 44237 (Indiana Bill of Sale) with VIN, odometer, sale price, and date
- Seller signs over the Indiana title (assignment on reverse) and fills in the odometer statement, date of sale, purchase price, and buyer information
- Buyer completes State Form 205 (Application for Certificate of Title) at a BMV branch
- Pay 7% Indiana sales tax on the purchase price (ask the BMV whether an exemption applies to a family transfer)
- Transfer title within 45 days of the sale to avoid administrative penalties
- If the vehicle is registered in Lake or Porter county, complete emissions testing before plating
Common Pitfalls
- Missing the 45-day title transfer window — Indiana charges an administrative penalty for late transfers
- Assuming a family transfer or gift is tax-free without checking — Indiana charges sales tax on the purchase price unless an exemption applies
- Buyers in Lake or Porter county skipping the emissions test and being unable to complete registration
- Using a generic out-of-state odometer disclosure instead of completing the odometer statement on the Indiana title
Pro Tip
Use our Indiana vehicle bill of sale generator to produce an Indiana bill of sale with the VIN, 7% tax acknowledgment, and odometer disclosure already in place — to have on hand whenever the BMV needs one (for example, a title missing the sale date or price) within the 45-day window.