Free Missouri Gift Bill of Sale
Missouri charges no state or local sales tax on a gift transaction — a meaningful saving when the average used-car price is well over $10,000. The donor still reports the transfer to the Department of Revenue within 30 days on Form 5049 (Notice of Sale) or Form 1957 (Bill of Sale), and the recipient titles the vehicle at a Missouri license office within 30 days.
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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? →
Missouri Gift Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Form 5049
Agency
Missouri DOR
Missouri Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Bureau
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Inspection Requirements
No statewide emissions inspection; St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, and St. Charles County require E-check for certain vehicles
Missouri Gift Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Confirm the donor holds a clear Missouri title — secure a lien release if the vehicle was previously financed
- Prepare a bill of sale showing $0 and the relationship between donor and recipient, plus a General Affidavit (Form 768) or a written statement that the vehicle was a gift (no notary needed)
- Donor reports the gift to DOR within 30 days on Form 5049 (Notice of Sale) or Form 1957 (Bill of Sale)
- Donor signs the back of the title, completing the odometer statement and assignment
- Visit a Missouri license office within 30 days of the gift date with the signed title and Form 108
- If the recipient lives in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Jefferson, or St. Charles County, schedule the required E-check emissions test before registering
- Pay the title fee and registration fee; no state or local sales tax is owed on a gift
Common Pitfalls
- Skipping the sale report — DOR requires the donor to report the transfer within 30 days on Form 5049 or Form 1957, gifts included
- The 30-day transfer window sounds generous, but county-specific E-check requirements can add days — start early in emissions counties
- Calling a sale a gift when money changes hands — the no-tax treatment covers gift transactions; a sale is taxed on the purchase price
- Assuming only close family can gift a vehicle tax-free — DOR states the no-tax rule for gift transactions without naming a family relationship; ask the license office if unsure
- A Missouri safety inspection is still required for registration if the vehicle is 11+ years old or has 150,000+ miles — even if emissions is not required in your county
Missouri Gift Bill of Sale — FAQs
Where do I get Form 5049?
Form 5049 is available at any Missouri license office or as a PDF download from the Missouri DOR website (dor.mo.gov).
Does Missouri require a safety inspection for gifted vehicles?
Yes, unless the vehicle is less than 11 years old and has under 150,000 miles. Otherwise Missouri requires a safety inspection less than 60 days old from a licensed inspection station, whether the transfer is a gift or a sale.
What is the E-check requirement and which counties enforce it?
E-check is an emissions inspection program required in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, and St. Charles County for most gasoline vehicles of model year 1996 or newer with a GVWR of 8,500 lbs or less (new vehicles are exempt for their first four model years if under 40,000 miles). Vehicles in these areas must pass the emissions test every two years and before a sale or transfer.
Can I gift a vehicle to my spouse without paying taxes?
Yes. Missouri charges no state or local sales tax on a gift transaction, including a gift to your spouse. The spouse still titles the vehicle at a license office within 30 days, and you report the transfer to DOR on Form 5049 or Form 1957.
What if the donor is out of state?
The donor signs over the out-of-state title (if that state does not title the vehicle, a bill of sale is required instead). The recipient brings these documents to a Missouri license office, where the out-of-state title is surrendered and a Missouri title is issued.