Free Louisiana Gift Bill of Sale
Louisiana is a civil law state, and vehicle gifts follow that tradition — instead of a standard bill of sale, you use an Act of Donation, which should be notarized. The state's 4% sales tax is waived for gifts to a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild — but notably, siblings are NOT included in Louisiana's exemption. Complete the Act of Donation and submit it at the OMV within 40 days of 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 — Louisiana gift transfers are strongly recommended to be notarized to be enforceable and accepted by the OMV
- Sign the back of the existing Louisiana title over to the recipient
- Confirm the recipient is a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild — siblings do NOT qualify for the 4% sales tax exemption in Louisiana
- Visit an OMV office within 40 days of the gift with the Act of Donation, signed title, and valid IDs
- Pay title transfer and registration fees (no state sales tax owed for qualifying direct lineage and spouse gifts)
- Recipient receives a new Louisiana title in their name
Common Pitfalls
- Using a standard bill of sale instead of an Act of Donation — Louisiana's OMV expects the civil law Act of Donation for gift transfers; a standard bill of sale may cause delays or rejection
- Assuming siblings qualify for the tax exemption — Louisiana's gift exemption does not include siblings; a sibling transfer is subject to the full 4% state sales tax plus any applicable local sales taxes
- Skipping notarization — while the OMV may accept an unnotarized Act of Donation in some cases, a notarized document protects both parties and is strongly recommended for enforceability
- Missing the 40-day transfer window — Louisiana charges late fees for title transfers completed after 40 days
- Not accounting for local sales taxes — Louisiana parishes levy additional local sales taxes on top of the 4% state rate; even if the state tax is waived, confirm whether local taxes apply 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?
No. Louisiana's vehicle gift sales tax exemption covers only a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, and grandchild — direct lineage and spouse. Siblings are explicitly not included. A sibling-to-sibling vehicle transfer is subject to Louisiana's 4% state sales tax plus applicable parish taxes on the vehicle's fair market value.
Does the Act of Donation need to be notarized?
Notarization is strongly recommended and in most cases required for the Act of Donation to be accepted at the OMV. Louisiana's civil law tradition treats notarized acts as authentic instruments, giving them stronger legal standing. An unnotarized Act of Donation may be refused or create legal ambiguity.
How long do I have to transfer the title after an Act of Donation in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires the title transfer to be completed at an OMV office within 40 days of the donation. Late transfers are subject to penalty fees. 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. The gift exemption waives the 4% state sales tax for qualifying family members, but you should confirm with your local OMV office or parish tax authority whether any local taxes still apply.
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📄General Bill of Sale🖨️Free Printable Bill of Sale📏Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale⚠️As-Is Bill of Sale