How to Fill Out a Bill of Sale in Massachusetts
A step-by-step guide to every field on a Massachusetts vehicle bill of sale — with a free filled-in example you can download instantly.
Massachusetts adds an unusual participant to the fill-out chain: your insurance agent. The buyer's Registration and Title Application (RTA, which replaced the paper RMV-1) must be stamped and signed by an active Massachusetts insurance agent BEFORE the RMV will look at it — so the paperwork goes from the signing table to the insurance office, then to the RMV service center. Fill out the bill of sale with parties, vehicle, VIN, odometer, true price, and date; the buyer keeps it as the price record, and the RMV requires it when the title has no space for a sales price or the vehicle is title-exempt because of its age. Know the tax rule before negotiating: Massachusetts charges 6.25% on the HIGHER of your price and the NADA clean trade-in value, so writing a below-book price does not lower the tax — the RMV taxes the higher figure. Still note the vehicle's high mileage or damage in the bill of sale itself.
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State rules change. We check these requirements against official state sources, but details can go out of date. Confirm with your state's motor vehicle agency before you rely on them. If you notice anything wrong or outdated, email support@billofsale.app.
Step-by-Step: Every Field Explained
Seller Information
- Full legal name
- Current mailing address
- City, state, ZIP code
- Phone number (optional but recommended)
Buyer Information
- Full legal name
- Current mailing address
- City, state, ZIP code
- Phone number (optional)
Vehicle Description
- Vehicle year (4-digit)
- Make (manufacturer — e.g., Ford, Toyota)
- Model (e.g., F-150, Camry)
- Body style (e.g., sedan, pickup, SUV)
- Color
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) — 17 characters, found on the dashboard or door jamb
- Odometer reading at time of sale
Sale Details
- Sale price in US dollars (write out both numerals and words — e.g., "$8,500 — Eight thousand five hundred dollars")
- Payment method (cash, check, electronic transfer)
- Date of sale (month / day / year)
- Note: the buyer pays Massachusetts tax at registration (6.25% sales tax)
Seller Signature
- Seller's signature (must match title)
- Printed name
- Date signed
Buyer Signature
- Buyer's signature
- Printed name
- Date signed
Get a Pre-Filled Massachusetts Example
Use the generator above to create a filled-in Massachusetts bill of sale example in under 60 seconds. Fields are set up for Massachusetts — no notary section, MA sales tax at 6.25%, and 10-day title transfer deadline noted.
Other Forms Required in Massachusetts
Along with the bill of sale, you may need these additional documents for a Massachusetts vehicle transfer:
- Registration and Title Application (RTA) — completed and stamped by a licensed Massachusetts insurance agent
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the insurance-stamp step on the RTA?
Why did the RMV tax more than the price we wrote?
Does Massachusetts require a notarized bill of sale?
What does the seller keep after handover?
Massachusetts Bill of Sale Hub
All requirements, tax rates, deadlines, and forms for Massachusetts.
View Massachusetts guide →RTA
The insurance-agent-stamped RTA registers and titles the vehicle. A bill of sale records the sale price and is required only when the prior title has no sale-price field or the vehicle is title-exempt because of its age.
RTA guide →