Free Missouri General Bill of Sale
A Missouri general bill of sale documents the transfer of personal property that the state does not title or register: tools, equipment, electronics, furniture, livestock, appliances, business assets, scrap, and similar items. It is the buyer's proof of ownership and the seller's proof that the item changed hands "as-is" on a specific date for a specific price. Missouri also has specific titled-property processes through MO DOR (cars, motorcycles, ATVs, motorhomes, travel trailers, and boats with motors), and those transfers need their own state forms in addition to a bill of sale.
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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) →
Missouri General Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Agency
No state agency for general personal property; vehicles, ATVs, and boats title through MO DOR
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
Exempt
Title Required
No
A general Missouri bill of sale covers untitled personal property: tools, electronics, furniture, appliances, livestock, equipment. Titled items (cars, motorcycles, ATVs, boats with motors, travel trailers, motorhomes) require a separate titled-vehicle process through MO DOR.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Casual private-party sales of used personal property between individuals are generally not subject to Missouri sales tax. Commercial sellers, businesses, and dealers must collect 4.225% state plus local sales tax. Asset sales as part of a business purchase have their own rules.
Missouri General Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Identify the parties: full legal names, addresses, and ID numbers (driver's license) for buyer and seller.
- Describe the property in detail: make, model, serial number, condition, accessories, and any defects.
- List the sale price and payment method (cash, check, electronic, trade); note if any deposit was received.
- Include a clear "as-is, where-is, no warranty" clause unless you are intentionally offering a warranty.
- Both parties sign and date; consider notarization for high-value or out-of-state transactions.
- For business asset purchases, attach an itemized schedule and indicate if MO sales/use tax applies.
- Each party keeps a signed copy with related receipts, manuals, or registration cards.
Common Pitfalls
- Using a general bill of sale for a titled item like a car or boat with a motor; MO DOR requires the assigned title, not just a bill of sale.
- Forgetting to write "as-is" and getting pulled into a dispute over implied warranties.
- Vague descriptions ("one used generator") that fail to identify the specific item if it is later disputed or stolen.
- Skipping signatures or dates; an unsigned bill of sale is essentially worthless as evidence.
- Assuming sales tax never applies; if you sell regularly enough to be a dealer, MO DOR expects you to collect.
Pro Tip
A signed bill of sale is the cheapest insurance in any Missouri private transaction. Spend the few minutes to fill it out completely, sign it, and file the copy. The version of yourself that needs proof a year later will thank you.
Missouri General Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Missouri require a bill of sale for private-party personal property sales?
No. Missouri does not require a bill of sale for private transfers of personal property like furniture, tools, electronics, livestock, or equipment, but using one is strongly recommended. The bill of sale is your evidence of when ownership changed, what was actually sold, what condition it was in, and what the buyer paid. Without it, disputes over price, defects, or whether a returned check actually represented payment become a he-said-she-said. Two minutes with a printed template protects both parties for as long as the item exists.
When does a Missouri private sale need to collect sales tax?
Casual sales between two private individuals are generally not subject to Missouri sales tax, but the line gets blurry when you sell often. If you regularly sell merchandise (online resale, garage sale every weekend, equipment auctions, livestock sales as a business), MO DOR can treat you as a dealer who must register, collect 4.225% state plus local sales tax, and remit it. Asset sales as part of a business transfer also have their own rules. If your annual sales volume is significant or you market yourself as a business, talk to MO DOR or a CPA before you assume the casual-sale exemption applies.
Can I use a general bill of sale for a car, ATV, or boat in Missouri?
It works as supporting documentation, but it is not enough on its own. Missouri titles cars, motorcycles, ATVs, motorhomes, travel trailers, and motorized boats through the Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Bureau. To title one of those items, the buyer needs the seller's assigned title, a completed Form DOR-108 (Application for Title), and a bill of sale (Missouri's preferred form is DOR-1957). A general bill of sale alone, without the assigned title, will not satisfy the license office. Use the vehicle-specific forms and processes when transferring titled property.
Should a Missouri general bill of sale be notarized?
Notarization is not required for a Missouri general bill of sale to be enforceable, but it is a smart precaution for high-value items, business asset purchases, transactions with out-of-state parties, or any sale where you anticipate disputes. A notarized signature is much harder for a party to disclaim later and gives banks, insurers, and courts more confidence in the document. For a $200 garage sale find, signatures are plenty; for a $25,000 piece of equipment or a multi-asset business sale, the few dollars at a UPS Store or bank are well spent.
How long should I keep a Missouri bill of sale after the deal closes?
Keep it as long as you might need to prove ownership, sale, or value. For a buyer that means until you sell or scrap the item; the next buyer or your insurer may want to see it. For a seller it means at least until any tax year affected by the sale closes (federal returns generally have a 3-year audit window, longer in cases of significant under-reporting), and longer for high-value items where future disputes are possible. Scan and store digital copies in cloud storage so the document survives floods, fires, or moves; paper records sitting in a desk drawer for a decade are easy to lose.
Other Missouri 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