When should I use the gift transfer page?
Use this page when your electric vehicle sale in Texas fits a gift transfer scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Gift transfer — Texas
Complete your Texas electric vehicle bill of sale for a gift transfer transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Texas Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer) is required to claim the gift exemption. The recipient must be an eligible family member: spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or legal guardian. A $10 gift tax replaces standard sales tax. Present the affidavit at the county tax office within 30 days.
Texas Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer) is required to claim the gift exemption. The recipient must be an eligible family member: spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or legal guardian. A $10 gift tax replaces standard sales tax. Present the affidavit at the county tax office within 30 days.
Texas has no state gift tax. However, the Texas DMV requires a completed Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer) to qualify for the gift tax exemption on vehicle transfers. Eligible recipients are limited to spouses, parents, children, stepchildren, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Transfers to non-eligible recipients are subject to standard motor vehicle sales tax.
Source: TX Tax Code § 152.025; TX DMV Form 14-317
In Texas, the title transfer fee is $33 and registration costs $50.75 per year. Electric Vehicle sales are subject to 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price. Texas does not require notarization for private-party electric vehicle transfers. Emission testing is required in Texas — verify the electric vehicle passes before completing the sale.
Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Flat 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax statewide. Private-party electric vehicle sales in Texas are subject to sales tax. Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher. The title transfer fee is $33.
The most common electric vehicle makes in private-party sales are Tesla, Chevrolet, Ford, Rivian, Hyundai. Average private-party electric vehicle prices range from $12,000–$60,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent electric vehicle models is 4.6 out of 5 stars. Electric vehicles average 2.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Battery/High Voltage, Software/OTA Updates, Charging System.
Before completing a electric vehicle bill of sale in Texas, verify these safety items:
EV insurance costs 10–25% more than comparable gas cars due to higher repair costs and battery replacement risk. EV depreciation is volatile — Tesla holds value best, while some models lose 50–60% in 3 years. Battery warranty transfer is a key value factor. Peak season for private electric vehicle sales is spring when gas prices typically rise and ev incentive programs refresh, with an average of 28 days on market.
Electric Vehicles are classified as "Passenger vehicle (EV-specific registration fees apply in 30+ states to offset lost fuel tax revenue)" for registration purposes. EVs weigh 20–30% more than comparable gas vehicles due to battery packs. Some states have proposed weight-based surcharges. Federal odometer disclosure is required for electric vehicles under 20 years old.
For electric vehicle gift transfer transactions in Texas, the buyer must pay 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price and a $33 title transfer fee. Notarization is not required. Odometer disclosure is required.
When completing a gift transfer electric vehicle sale in Texas, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common electric vehicle recall categories are Battery/High Voltage, Software/OTA Updates, Charging System. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Use the main Texas electric vehicle bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Texas Electric Vehicle bill of sale17.5M 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
Use this page when your electric vehicle sale in Texas fits a gift transfer scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
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.
Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the gift transfer transaction.
Texas charges a $33 title transfer fee. Registration costs $50.75 per year. Sales tax: 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price. Notarization is not required for most transfers.
The most popular electric vehicle makes in private-party sales are Tesla, Chevrolet, Ford, Rivian, Hyundai. Average private-party prices range from $12,000–$60,000.
Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher
Free • 3 min • Printable PDF