Gift transfer — Georgia

Georgia Boat bill of sale for gift transfer

Complete your Georgia boat bill of sale for a gift transfer transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.

GeorgiaBoatGift transfer

BillOfSaleNow Legal Team

Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: March 20266 min readEditorial policy

What to know about gift transfer sales in Georgia

If the vehicle's fair market value exceeds the annual gift tax exclusion ($18,000 for 2024 per IRS), the donor must file IRS Form 709 (United States Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return). The lifetime exemption ($13.61 million in 2024) typically means no tax is owed, but the form is still required. Some states require the word "gift" on the title or a separate gift affidavit to waive use tax.

What to include in your bill of sale

Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
Boat make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
Any gift transfer-specific disclosures required in Georgia.

Seller guidance

Buyer guidance

You will likely owe use tax on the fair market value of the vehicle at registration unless your state exempts immediate family gifts. California, for example, exempts transfers between parents, children, spouses, and domestic partners. Check your state DMV for exemption eligibility.

Georgia-Specific Note

Georgia imposes a Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) even on gift transfers. The TAVT rate is reduced to 0.5% of the fair market value for immediate family gifts (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild). Standard TAVT is 7%. Complete MV-1 (Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application) and Form PT-472 (Affidavit to Certify Immediate Family Relationship).

Legal considerations

Georgia Legal Requirements

Under federal law, gifts of vehicles exceeding $18,000 in fair market value (2024 annual exclusion) require the donor to file IRS Form 709, though the $13.61 million lifetime exemption means actual gift tax is rarely owed. Most states do not impose a separate state gift tax, but many require a gift affidavit or notation on the title to waive sales or use tax. Check your state DMV for the specific form and eligible family relationships that qualify for the tax exemption.

Source: IRC § 2503(b); IRS Form 709

Georgia Boat transfer fees and requirements

In Georgia, the title transfer fee is $18 and registration costs $20 per year. Boat sales are subject to Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Georgia does not require notarization for private-party boat transfers. Emission testing is required in Georgia — verify the boat passes before completing the sale.

TAVT replaced sales tax and annual ad valorem tax in 2013
Emissions testing required in 13 metro Atlanta counties
Title must be transferred within 30 days of purchase

Georgia sales tax on boat purchases

Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. 6.6% TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax) on fair market value. Private-party boat sales in Georgia are subject to sales tax. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013. The title transfer fee is $18.

Boat market data and safety information

The most common boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Boats average 1.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used boat

Before completing a boat bill of sale in Georgia, verify these safety items:

Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents
Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls
Inspect transom for softness or rot — the most expensive structural repair
Test all bilge pumps, navigation lights, and required safety equipment

Boat insurance and depreciation in Georgia

Boat insurance averages $200–$500/year for boats under 26 ft. Agreed-value policies are preferred over actual-cash-value. Boats depreciate 30–40% in the first 5 years. Aluminum fishing boats hold value better than fiberglass sport boats. Peak season for private boat sales is early spring (march–may) ahead of boating season, with an average of 45 days on market.

Boat registration and titling

Boats are classified as "Watercraft (state-registered) or USCG-documented vessel" for registration purposes. Boats are measured by length, not weight, for registration. Trailers have separate weight-based registration. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to boats.

Georgia requirements for gift transfer boat sales

For boat gift transfer transactions in Georgia, the buyer must pay Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value and a $18 title transfer fee. Notarization is not required. Odometer disclosure is required.

TAVT replaced sales tax and annual ad valorem tax in 2013
Emissions testing required in 13 metro Atlanta counties
Title must be transferred within 30 days of purchase

Safety tips for gift transfer boat transactions

When completing a gift transfer boat sale in Georgia, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common boat recall categories are Fuel System, Electrical, Steering. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.

Checklist for gift transfer boat sale in Georgia

Establish fair market value (Kelley Blue Book or comparable)
Determine if IRS Form 709 filing is required (value >$18,000 in 2024)
Obtain state-specific gift affidavit or complete the gift section on the title
Confirm state sales/use tax exemption eligibility for family gifts
Notarize the bill of sale or gift affidavit if your state requires it
Complete MV-1 (Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application)
Submit Form PT-472 (Affidavit to Certify Immediate Family Relationship)
Pay reduced TAVT of 0.5% of fair market value at the county tag office

Need the printable workflow?

Use the main Georgia boat bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.

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The Private Vehicle Sale Market

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

Frequently asked questions

When should I use the gift transfer page?

Use this page when your boat sale in Georgia fits a gift transfer scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.

Why does the gift transfer scenario have its own page?

Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a gift transfer transaction specifically.

What should be included in this bill of sale?

Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the gift transfer transaction.

What are the Georgia fees for a gift transfer boat transfer?

Georgia charges a $18 title transfer fee. Registration costs $20 per year. Sales tax: Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Notarization is not required for most transfers.

What boat makes are most commonly sold in Georgia?

The most popular boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$75,000.

Do I pay sales tax on a gift transfer boat sale in Georgia?

Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013

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