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Free Texas General Bill of Sale

For personal property that doesn't fit a specific Texas regulatory framework — power tools, generators, electronics, livestock other than horses, restaurant equipment, jewelry, art, collectibles, instruments — a general bill of sale is the entire transaction. Texas has no titling system for these items, so the document you sign IS the chain of ownership. Texas's "occasional sale" exemption (Tax Code 151.304) means a one-off private sale of household goods generally isn't subject to sales tax collection. But if you sell regularly enough to look like a business (e.g., flipping items on Marketplace weekly), the Comptroller can deem you a dealer and assess back tax.

Texas Requirements: Transfer title within 30 days. 6.25% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

General Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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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) →

Texas General Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
TX Comptroller
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
6.25%
Title Required
No
Generic personal property — tools, electronics, livestock (non-equine), furniture, equipment, jewelry — does not have a state titling system. The bill of sale is the primary proof of ownership.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

Texas state sales tax is 6.25%; combined state + local rates max out at 8.25% (the cap). Casual/occasional sales of personal property between non-dealers generally qualify for the occasional sale exemption, but goods purchased for resale or by businesses remain taxable.

Exemption: Occasional sale exemption: a private individual selling household goods (not in the business of selling) generally doesn't collect sales tax. Agricultural items qualify with Form 01-924 and Ag/Timber number. Resale purchases use Form 01-339.

Texas General Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller
  2. Detailed description of item: make, model, serial/identifying numbers, condition, year, color
  3. Sale price in writing, payment method (cash/check/transfer), and date
  4. Warranty language: "as-is, where-is" or specific warranty terms with duration
  5. Both signatures; notarization recommended for items over $1,000
  6. For livestock (non-equine): brand inspection if from a brand-inspection county, health certificate, ear-tag/tattoo numbers
  7. Check sales tax: occasional-sale exemption likely applies for one-off household sales, otherwise 6.25% + local

Common Pitfalls

  • No bill of sale on a high-value item — buyer can't insure, register, or resell without proof of ownership
  • Vague descriptions ("a generator") with no serial — useless if the item is later stolen and recovered
  • No "as-is" clause — Texas implies merchantability warranty under UCC Article 2 unless explicitly disclaimed
  • Selling regularly enough to be deemed a "dealer" by the Comptroller — back sales tax plus penalty
  • Forgetting brand inspection on cattle/sheep/goats moved from a brand-inspection county — TSCRA enforcement
  • Skipping notarization on items over $1,000 — civil disputes hinge on signature authenticity
  • No payment-received language — buyer claims the check bounced, seller has no proof of receipt

Pro Tip

General Texas bill of sale recipe: full descriptions with serial numbers, "as-is" disclaimer, both signatures, notarize anything over $1,000 — and remember the occasional-sale exemption only covers true one-off private sales, not Marketplace flipping operations.

Texas General Bill of Sale — FAQs

When is sales tax owed on a private-party sale of personal property in Texas?
Texas Tax Code 151.304 provides an "occasional sale" exemption for individuals not engaged in the business of selling. Garage sales, one-off Craigslist sales, and estate sales of household goods typically qualify and don't require sales tax collection. The exemption breaks down if the seller looks like a dealer — selling regularly, advertising, holding inventory, having a resale permit. The Comptroller has caught Marketplace flippers selling 50+ items a year and assessed back tax plus 10% penalty plus interest. Vehicles, boats, aircraft, and trailers do NOT qualify for the occasional sale exemption — those always owe motor-vehicle or use tax regardless.
What does "as-is, where-is" mean and should I include it?
Yes, include it on virtually every general bill of sale. "As-is, where-is" disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose under Texas Business & Commerce Code 2.316 (UCC Article 2). Without it, a Texas buyer can sue for breach of implied warranty if a generator dies in three months. With it, the buyer accepts the item in current condition with all defects, known and unknown. Use plain language: "Buyer accepts the item in its current as-is, where-is condition with no warranty, express or implied, of any kind, including merchantability or fitness for any purpose. All defects are accepted." Sign and date.
Do I need to notarize a Texas bill of sale?
Not legally required for a general bill of sale, but strongly recommended for items over $1,000 or whenever forgery or capacity is a concern (elderly seller, contested estate, divorce-period sale, dispute-prone counterparty). Notarization costs $6-$10 and adds a sworn third-party verification of the signatures, which makes the document much harder to challenge in civil court. Banks, UPS Stores, and many H-E-Bs offer notary service. For livestock, firearms, motorhomes, and high-value collectibles, always notarize. For a $50 used drill, save the trip.
What about selling cattle, sheep, or goats in Texas — does brand inspection apply?
Yes, in designated brand-inspection counties — primarily West Texas, the Panhandle, and parts of South Texas. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 144 requires TSCRA brand inspection before transport or sale of cattle, sheep, goats, and horses moving out of these counties. A TSCRA special ranger inspects the brand against ownership records and issues an inspection certificate. Skip it and face Class C misdemeanor charges plus livestock impoundment. Outside brand-inspection counties, a written bill of sale plus a Texas Animal Health Commission health certificate (CVI) for interstate transport is enough. Always include ear-tag or tattoo numbers in the bill of sale for livestock.

Other Texas 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

General in Other States

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