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Free Louisiana General Bill of Sale

A general bill of sale handles everything that isn't a car, ATV, RV, or boat — tractors and farm equipment, jewelry, electronics, furniture, business inventory, livestock other than horses, collectibles, tools, and so on. Louisiana doesn't mandate notarization for a general bill of sale the way it does for vehicles, but Louisiana courts give notarized documents significantly greater evidentiary weight (a function of the state's civil-law tradition), and it's the cheapest insurance you can buy on a sizable transaction. Capture a clear description, serial numbers where applicable, the agreed price, and an "as-is" clause if appropriate. Casual private-party sales are usually outside Louisiana sales tax, but business-to-consumer transactions get the standard 4.45% state plus parish add-on (8–11% combined).

Louisiana Requirements: Notarization required. Transfer title within 40 days. 4.45% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

General Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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A general bill of sale works for furniture, tools, equipment, or any personal property — but only if written correctly. Our step-by-step guide shows exactly what language to include so the document holds up if there is ever a dispute. Read: How to Write a Bill of Sale (Step-by-Step) →

Louisiana General Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Louisiana General Bill of Sale (Notarized recommended)
Agency
Varies
Varies by item — LA OMV (vehicles), LDWF (boats), LDAF (livestock)
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
0.0445%
Title Required
No
A general bill of sale documents the transfer of personal property that does not have a state-issued title — equipment, tools, electronics, furniture, livestock, jewelry, collectibles, business assets, etc. For titled items (vehicles, boats with HIN, ATVs, mobile homes), use the appropriate state-specific form (DPSMV2392 for vehicles, LDWF boat registration for boats). Louisiana's civil-law tradition makes notarization especially valuable for general bills of sale even when not legally required — a Louisiana notary acknowledgment dramatically strengthens the document's evidentiary weight in court.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

4.45% Louisiana state sales tax plus parish/local add-on (combined 8–11%) generally applies to retail sales of tangible personal property. Casual one-time private-party sales between non-dealers ("isolated sales") are often treated as exempt, but documentation matters — keep the bill of sale.

Exemption: Casual isolated private-party sales of personal items (not part of a recurring business) are typically not subject to sales tax. Sales between immediate family (spouse, parent, child, sibling) of titled property are exempt. Agricultural exemption (R-1007) applies to qualifying farm equipment and livestock. Resale exemption applies for buyers reselling in the regular course of business with a valid resale certificate.

Inspection Requirements

No statewide inspection requirement for general personal property. Specific items may have category-specific rules: livestock requires health certificates and (for horses) Coggins testing; firearms have no Louisiana inspection but federal NFA rules apply to suppressors/SBRs; boats require LDWF registration and HIN.

Louisiana General Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Describe the item precisely — make, model, serial number, condition, accessories included.
  2. Record date, buyer and seller full names and addresses, agreed sale price, and payment method.
  3. Include an "AS-IS, WHERE-IS, NO WARRANTY" clause for used goods unless warranties are negotiated.
  4. Notarize the bill of sale — strongly recommended in Louisiana even when not required.
  5. For business sales, collect 4.45% state + parish sales tax and remit to Louisiana Department of Revenue.
  6. For ag equipment to a qualifying farm buyer, collect a valid R-1007 farm exemption certificate.
  7. For category-specific items (livestock, firearms, titled property), follow the relevant state agency rules.
  8. Both parties keep a signed (and ideally notarized) original.

Common Pitfalls

  • Vague item descriptions — "tractor" instead of "2018 John Deere 5075E, serial XYZ123" — opens disputes.
  • Skipping notarization on a high-value transaction — Louisiana courts heavily favor notarized documents.
  • Forgetting to specify "as-is" — buyer may later claim implied warranty under UCC.
  • Misclassifying a recurring business as casual sales to skip sales tax — Louisiana DR audits this.
  • Using a generic bill of sale for titled property (vehicle, boat with HIN) — won't satisfy OMV/LDWF.

Pro Tip

Describe precisely, notarize for high-value transfers, and use the right specialty form for titled property — generic bills of sale don't work at OMV or LDWF.

Louisiana General Bill of Sale — FAQs

When should I use a general bill of sale instead of a specific form?
Use a general bill of sale for any tangible personal property that does NOT require a state title or registration: tools, equipment, jewelry, electronics, furniture, livestock (cattle, goats, sheep, etc.), business assets, antiques, collectibles, and similar items. Use specific forms for titled property: DPSMV2392 (notarized) for cars, trucks, ATVs, RVs, motorcycles, and trailers titled through OMV; LDWF boat registration for motorized boats; breed-registry transfer plus bill of sale for registered horses. Mobile homes follow OMV titling unless permanently sited and converted to immovable property.
Is notarization required for a general bill of sale in Louisiana?
Not legally required, but strongly recommended. Louisiana is a civil-law state where notarized documents (called "authentic acts" in Louisiana legal terminology) carry far greater evidentiary weight than unnotarized "acts under private signature." A notarized bill of sale provides nearly conclusive proof of the parties, the date, the consideration, and the item transferred — which prevents the most common disputes ("I never sold you that," "we agreed on a different price," "that wasn't the deal"). Notarization costs $5–$10 at any Louisiana bank, UPS Store, or notary public and takes 10 minutes — worth it on any transaction over a few hundred dollars.
Do I owe sales tax on a casual one-time private sale?
Usually no — Louisiana exempts truly casual, isolated private-party sales of personal items from sales tax under the "isolated or occasional sale" doctrine. Selling your old lawnmower to your neighbor, your couch on Facebook Marketplace, or your guitar to a friend doesn't trigger Louisiana sales tax collection. The exception is when you're acting as a business — recurring sales, online resale operations, flea-market booths, or anything that looks like a trade or business — in which case you must register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and collect 4.45% state + parish sales tax (8–11% combined). The line is drawn by the IRS and DR around frequency, intent to profit, and continuity.
What should an "as-is" clause look like?
Plain English works well: "Buyer accepts the [item] in its present condition, AS-IS and WHERE-IS, with all faults, and without any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or any other express or implied warranty. Seller has disclosed all known defects to Buyer, and Buyer has had the opportunity to inspect the item." Louisiana courts will enforce a clear as-is disclaimer on used goods between non-merchant private parties, but the Louisiana civil code's "redhibition" doctrine still allows buyers to undo a sale if the seller actively concealed a hidden defect that made the item useless or substantially less valuable. Don't lie about defects; do disclaim warranties.
How long should I keep my bill of sale?
Indefinitely for high-value or titled items, and at least seven years for routine sales. Louisiana's prescriptive periods (statutes of limitations) for contract disputes are typically 10 years for written contracts and 3 years for oral contracts, so keeping a notarized bill of sale for 10+ years protects you. For tax purposes, the IRS recommends 7 years of records; Louisiana DR generally aligns. For firearms specifically, keep the bill of sale forever — if the firearm is ever recovered at a crime scene, your documentation that you sold it (with serial number, buyer ID, and date) is the difference between a closed file and a long unpleasant interview.

Other Louisiana Templates

🚘Vehicle Bill of Sale🚗Car Bill of Sale🚙Used Car Bill of Sale🏍️Motorcycle Bill of Sale⛵Boat Bill of Sale🚛Trailer Bill of Sale🐴Horse Bill of Sale🏎️ATV Bill of Sale🔫Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale🏕️RV Bill of Sale🖨️Free Printable Bill of Sale📏Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale⚠️As-Is Bill of Sale🎁Gift Bill of Sale

General in Other States

TexasFloridaGeorgiaColoradoOregonUtahArkansasIowaNew YorkOklahoma

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