Free Louisiana Gift Bill of Sale
Louisiana is a civil law state, and vehicle gifts follow that tradition — a gift is documented as a donation (an Act of Donation), which should be notarized. Some family gifts may be exempt from Louisiana sales tax, but confirm with the OMV which relationships qualify before you rely on it. Complete the Act of Donation and submit it at the OMV promptly after the gift.
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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? →
Louisiana Gift Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Louisiana Gift Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Prepare an Act of Donation (Louisiana's civil law equivalent of a gift bill of sale) — include the vehicle description, VIN, donor's and recipient's full legal names, and the statement that no money was exchanged
- Have the Act of Donation notarized — notarization is strongly recommended, and the OMV's used-vehicle checklist has the title assigned before a notary
- Sign the back of the existing Louisiana title over to the recipient
- Confirm with the OMV whether your relationship to the recipient qualifies for a sales tax exemption
- Visit an OMV office promptly after the gift with the Act of Donation, signed title, and valid IDs
- Pay title transfer and registration fees, plus any sales tax the OMV determines is due
- Recipient receives a new Louisiana title in their name
Common Pitfalls
- Relying on a sale-style bill of sale for a gift — ask the OMV which document it wants for a donation, such as a notarized Act of Donation
- Assuming any relative qualifies for a tax exemption — confirm with the OMV which family relationships, if any, are exempt
- Skipping notarization — for a sale the OMV needs at least one notarized document (title assignment, bill of sale or invoice); notarizing the Act of Donation is the safe course for a gift
- Waiting too long — the OMV's 40-day rule is a sales-tax due date, so confirm with the OMV how it applies to a donation and file promptly
- Not accounting for local sales taxes — Louisiana parishes levy additional local sales taxes on top of the state rate; confirm whether state or local tax applies to the gift in the recipient's parish
Louisiana Gift Bill of Sale — FAQs
Why does Louisiana use an Act of Donation instead of a bill of sale for vehicle gifts?
Louisiana follows the French civil law tradition rather than common law, which most other US states use. In civil law, transferring property without consideration (i.e., for free) is formally called a donation and is documented with an Act of Donation. The OMV recognizes this document for vehicle gift transfers.
Can I gift a car to my sibling in Louisiana tax-free?
Don't assume so. Whether a gift between siblings — or any family gift — is exempt from Louisiana sales tax, and how any tax due would be figured, should be confirmed with the OMV before you file.
Does the Act of Donation need to be notarized?
Notarization is strongly recommended. For a sale, the OMV needs at least one notarized document in the file (the title assignment, bill of sale or invoice), and Louisiana's civil law tradition treats notarized acts as authentic instruments. Ask the OMV what it requires for a donation.
How long do I have to transfer the title after an Act of Donation in Louisiana?
The OMV's 40-day rule is a sales-tax due date — tax on a vehicle sale is due by the 40th day after the sale and is paid when applying for title — rather than a stand-alone title deadline. Confirm with the OMV how the timing applies to a donation, and schedule the OMV visit promptly after the Act of Donation is signed and notarized.
Are there local parish sales taxes in addition to the state 4% rate in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana parishes levy additional local sales taxes, and total combined rates can reach 10% or more in some areas. Whether a family gift is exempt from state or local tax should be confirmed with your local OMV office or parish tax authority.