Free Michigan General Bill of Sale
A general Michigan bill of sale documents the transfer of personal property — equipment, tools, livestock other than horses, electronics, jewelry, collectibles, machinery — when no specialized state form applies. While Michigan does not require this document to be filed anywhere, a written record of the sale prevents disputes, supports tax positions, and is essential for larger transactions where the buyer may need to prove ownership later.
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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) →
Michigan General Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Private sale
Private transaction (no state filing for general personal property)
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
0.06%
Title Required
No
Michigan does not require state titling or registration for general personal property — boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motor vehicles use specialized forms. For tools, equipment, electronics, jewelry, livestock other than horses, and similar property, the bill of sale alone proves ownership.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Casual private sales of used personal property (yard sales, one-off items) are generally not subject to Michigan use tax. Buyers who purchase from dealers, auction houses, or repeat sellers should expect the 6% rate.
Michigan General Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Identify both parties with full legal names and addresses
- Describe the item with make, model, serial number (if any), and condition
- State the purchase price and form of payment
- Mark the sale "AS-IS" if no warranty is intended
- Add the date and location of the transfer
- Both parties sign; notarize for items over $5,000 or any livestock transfer
- Each party retains an original signed copy
Common Pitfalls
- Vague item descriptions — "old generator" instead of "Honda EU2200i, SN 1234567"
- Skipping the AS-IS clause and inviting later warranty claims
- Failing to notarize high-value transactions where ownership might be challenged
- Cash sales without a signed receipt — provable in court is hard
- Using a vehicle bill of sale template for items that don't need a VIN, omitting key personal-property details
Pro Tip
A simple, descriptive Michigan general bill of sale costs nothing to create and protects both buyer and seller against the disputes that destroy informal handshake deals.
Michigan General Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Michigan require a bill of sale for personal property?
No state law requires a bill of sale for general personal property — Michigan only mandates documentation for titled items like vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and certain boats. However, a written bill of sale is the only practical way to prove ownership of a $3,000 power tool, a livestock animal, or an antique if it is later stolen, contested, or claimed by a creditor. Always create a bill of sale for any meaningful private transaction, even when the state does not require it.
Is sales tax owed on a private personal-property sale in Michigan?
Casual one-off sales between private individuals — yard sales, occasional eBay flips, single equipment trades — are generally not subject to Michigan use tax. The exception is that buyers who purchase from dealers, auction houses, online marketplaces with Michigan tax collection, or repeat sellers operating like a business owe the 6% rate. The seller is also expected to register for a Michigan sales-tax license if they sell repeatedly. For a one-time sale of a used personal item, no tax filing is typically required.
Should a Michigan general bill of sale be notarized?
Notarization is not required by Michigan law for general personal property, but it is strongly recommended for transactions over $5,000, livestock other than horses, large equipment, or anything with a serial number that might appear on a stolen-property database. Notarization adds a verified third-party witness to the signatures, which dramatically reduces the chance of forgery claims and is often expected by insurers and law enforcement when proving ownership. Most Michigan banks notarize for free for account holders.
What happens if I lose a Michigan bill of sale?
Because Michigan does not file or register general personal-property bills of sale anywhere, losing the only signed copy means you have no replacement source. Best practice is for both parties to sign multiple originals, scan and email a PDF copy immediately, and store the digital file in cloud storage. If you lose your copy and the other party is cooperative, ask them to sign and date a duplicate that references the original sale. If they are uncooperative, your remaining options are weaker — receipts, bank records, photos, and witness statements — which is exactly why creating and preserving the bill of sale at the time of sale matters.
Other Michigan 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