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Free Massachusetts Vehicle Bill of Sale

A Massachusetts vehicle bill of sale documents a private-party transfer for the Mass RMV, which collects 6.25% sales/use tax at registration based on the higher of purchase price or NADA book value. Pair the bill of sale (Form MV-25 is the state template) with a properly assigned title and Form TR-130 to title and register within 10 days. Family-to-family transfers can skip the tax with Form MVU-26.

Massachusetts Requirements: Transfer title within 10 days. 6.25% sales tax.

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Massachusetts Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
MV-25 / TR-130
Massachusetts Bill of Sale (MV-25) and Application for Title and Registration (TR-130)
Agency
Mass RMV
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.0625%
Title Required
Yes
Vehicles model year 1980 or older may transfer without a Massachusetts title under the pre-1981 cutoff — a properly executed bill of sale plus the prior registration is generally accepted at the RMV. Everything 1981 and newer requires a signed-over MA title.
Inspection
Required

Sales Tax Details

6.25% Massachusetts sales/use tax is collected by the RMV at the time of registration (not by the seller and not by your town). Tax is calculated on the higher of the purchase price or the NADA clean trade-in value, so lowballing the price on your MV-25 will not reduce the tax.

Exemption: Family transfers between spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild are exempt from sales tax when you file Form MVU-26 (Affidavit in Support of a Claim for Exemption from Sales or Use Tax for a Motor Vehicle Transferred Within a Family) at registration.

Inspection Requirements

Massachusetts requires an annual safety AND emissions inspection at a licensed MA inspection station within 7 days of registration. The windshield sticker shows the month it expires. No sticker, no legal driving — and Mass State Police actively enforce it.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (Mass RMV) — not the same agency that handles cars in Massachusetts. Plan for separate filings.

Massachusetts Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Complete Form MV-25 (MA Bill of Sale) with VIN, year/make/model, odometer, price, and both signatures
  2. Seller signs the assignment on the back of the MA title and enters the odometer reading
  3. For 1981+ vehicles, deliver the signed title to the buyer; for 1980 and older, the bill of sale plus prior registration may be enough
  4. Buyer obtains MA insurance and has agent stamp Form RMV-1 (TR-130 family)
  5. File at the RMV within 10 days, pay 6.25% sales/use tax (or file MVU-26 for family exemption)
  6. Within 7 days of registration, get the annual safety + emissions inspection at a licensed MA station

Common Pitfalls

  • Writing a low purchase price to dodge tax — the RMV uses NADA clean trade-in value if it is higher, and audits flag suspicious deals
  • Missing the 10-day registration window, which triggers late fees and potential lapses in the chain of title
  • Forgetting Form MVU-26 for a family transfer and getting charged 6.25% tax that is painful to claw back
  • Driving without the inspection sticker — MA tickets are immediate and the car cannot be legally operated
  • Assuming a pre-1981 vehicle is automatically title-exempt without confirming with the RMV; documentation gaps still get cars rejected

Pro Tip

File your MV-25 and TR-130 at the RMV within 10 days, pay the 6.25% tax (or claim the MVU-26 family exemption), and get the safety + emissions sticker within 7 days. That is the full Massachusetts handoff.

Massachusetts Vehicle Bill of Sale — FAQs

Do I pay sales tax to the seller or to the RMV?
You pay the 6.25% Massachusetts sales/use tax directly to the Registry of Motor Vehicles when you title and register the vehicle, not to the private seller and not to your city or town. The RMV calculates tax on the higher of your purchase price or the NADA clean trade-in book value, so even if you negotiated a great deal you may owe tax on the book figure. Keep your MV-25 bill of sale as proof of price, but be prepared for the RMV to use book value if the gap looks unrealistic.
Can my parent give me a car without sales tax in Massachusetts?
Yes. Transfers between spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren qualify for a sales tax exemption if you file Form MVU-26 (Affidavit in Support of a Claim for Exemption from Sales or Use Tax for a Motor Vehicle Transferred Within a Family) at the RMV along with your TR-130/RMV-1 application. Both family members sign the affidavit. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws do not qualify — only the listed direct-line relatives. Bring the signed title, MV-25 bill of sale (purchase price can be $0 or "gift"), and MVU-26 to the RMV.
My car is a 1978 — do I really need a title?
Not necessarily. Massachusetts has a pre-1981 title cutoff: vehicles with a model year of 1980 or older are generally exempt from the title requirement and can be transferred using a bill of sale plus the prior owner's registration. You still register the car and pay 6.25% sales/use tax, but the RMV will issue a registration without a title. Newer than 1980, you must have a signed MA title (or properly assigned out-of-state title) to register. Confirm the specific paperwork with the RMV before relying on this — older imports and salvage cars sometimes have extra requirements.
When does my inspection need to be done after I buy the car?
Within 7 days of registering the vehicle in your name. Massachusetts requires an annual combined safety and emissions inspection at a licensed Massachusetts inspection station, and the resulting windshield sticker is your proof. The sticker shows the month it expires (the year and month are punched out). Driving without a valid sticker is a ticketable offense and the car can fail registration renewals. If the car fails the first inspection you have 60 days to get repairs and re-test once for free at the same station.

Other Massachusetts Templates

🚗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🎁Gift Bill of Sale

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