Free Tennessee General Bill of Sale
A general bill of sale is the catch-all document for any personal property transfer in Tennessee that doesn't involve titled goods (motor vehicles, boats with motors, mobile homes). Lawn equipment, business assets, livestock other than horses, instruments, electronics, jewelry, and farm equipment all transfer through a general bill of sale. Tennessee's casual sale tax exemption means most private-party transfers carry no tax obligation, but a written bill of sale is still essential — for warranty disputes, insurance claims, and proving ownership if the item is later stolen and recovered.
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Tennessee General Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Casual sales of personal property between private individuals are generally exempt from Tennessee sales tax under the casual/isolated sale exemption (T.C.A. § 67-6-102). Sales by businesses, dealers, or anyone making three or more sales per year of similar items are subject to 7% state tax plus local option tax.
Exemption: Casual/isolated sales between non-business private parties; family gifts; inheritances; sales of items used in a qualifying farm operation (with Ag Exemption Certificate).
Inspection Requirements
No inspection is required for general personal property transfers in Tennessee.
Tennessee General Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Identify the property with as much specificity as possible: make, model, serial/identification numbers, year of manufacture, color, distinguishing marks
- For multiple items, attach an itemized list with individual values rather than a lump sum
- State the exact purchase price; if multiple items, allocate price across items for insurance purposes
- Include both parties' full legal names, addresses, and contact information
- Specify the property is sold "as-is, where-is, with all faults" unless a specific warranty is being offered
- Note the date and location of transfer, and who is responsible for pickup, transport, and any associated costs
- Both parties sign and date; notarize for high-value items ($5,000+) or anything that could later be disputed
Common Pitfalls
- Vague descriptions like "miscellaneous tools" — without serial numbers and specific descriptions, you can't prove which item was sold if a dispute arises
- Forgetting to mark "as-is" — Tennessee's implied warranty of merchantability under UCC § 2-314 can apply to private sales unless explicitly disclaimed in writing
- Combining multiple items at one lump price — makes insurance claims harder and creates problems if one item is later returned or disputed
- Skipping written terms on payment — if the buyer is paying installments, get a signed promissory note separate from the bill of sale
- Not photographing the items at the time of transfer — pictures of serial number plates and condition protect both buyer and seller against later disputes
- Assuming a casual sale always avoids sales tax — making three or more similar sales in a year converts you into a "dealer" under TN law and subjects all sales to tax
Pro Tip
A general bill of sale is the simplest legal document in Tennessee but also one of the most useful — it transfers ownership of anything not titled by the state and creates a permanent record that protects buyer and seller in tax, insurance, and legal contexts. Specific identification, "as-is" language, and signatures are the three elements that turn a transaction into a defensible record.