South Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale Form

About This Form

Covers: South Dakota Bill of Sale (DOR Form 1025)

Agency: South Dakota Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Division

Purpose: Documents a private vehicle sale in South Dakota. Presented at the county treasurer's office for title transfer and 4% excise tax calculation.

When required: Required for a private vehicle sale. Buyers must apply for the title and registration at the county treasurer within 45 days of purchase.

What Form 1025 is

Form 1025 is the South Dakota Department of Revenue's Bill of Sale. The statute behind it (SDCL 32-5B-4) has buyer and seller turn in the Department's own approved form to the county treasurer.

You can fill it in online and print it. The Department says to submit the printed form with your title paperwork at the county treasurer's office.

What it asks for

• Section A: the year, make, model, VIN or hull number, and title number.
• Section B: the date of sale, the buyer's name and the price. The seller swears they sold, transferred and conveyed all rights, title and interest in the vehicle or boat.
• A box describing the vehicle's condition at the time of sale.
• The seller swears they own it and have the full right to sell it, under penalty of perjury.
• The seller's name, address, signature and date. Only the seller signs.

Why the condition box matters

The form quotes SDCL 32-5B-4(4): a vehicle sold for no or a nominal price is taxed on the retail value in an approved dealer guide. If your price is very low next to the retail value, the 4% excise tax is charged on the retail value, unless the condition you describe explains the price.

Selling: plates, the seller's permit and the sale report

• The plates stay with you. South Dakota is a plate-with-owner state, so you move them to your next vehicle at the county treasurer.
• You can give the buyer a seller's permit, printed online or at the county treasurer. It lets them drive legally for 45 days while they apply for the title.
• Report the sale in the state's Vehicle Registration & Plates portal. Its VIN check also shows a buyer whether a lienholder is on record.

Deadline, penalties and exemptions

• Apply for title and registration within 45 days of the purchase. There are no extensions.
• After 45 days, interest is 1% or $5 (whichever is greater) for the first month, then 1% a month. After 60 days, a one-time penalty of 10% of the tax or $10, whichever is greater, is added.
• Title late fees are $1 a week, capped at $50 after the 24th week.
• A transfer with no money exchanged between spouses, a parent and child, or siblings is exempt from the excise tax. A $10 title transfer fee still applies.

What to Include in a South Dakota Bill of Sale

A complete bill of sale usually includes:

• Seller name, address
• Buyer name, address
• Year, make, model
• VIN
• Odometer
• Sale price
• Date of sale
• Seller signature