Gift transfer — Florida

Florida Side by Side bill of sale for gift transfer

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

FloridaSide by SideGift transfer

BillOfSaleNow Legal Team

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

What to know about gift transfer sales in Florida

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.
Side by Side make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
Any gift transfer-specific disclosures required in Florida.

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.

Florida-Specific Note

FL waives sales tax on gifts between immediate family (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild). Outside that — buyer pays use tax on Kelley Blue Book value. Complete HSMV 82040 (Application for Certificate of Title with Gift Declaration) within 30 days.

Legal considerations

Florida Legal Requirements

Florida imposes no state gift tax and no state inheritance tax. For vehicle gift transfers, list the sale price as $0 or the actual FMV on the title application. Transfers between immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, stepparent, stepchild) are exempt from Florida’s 6% sales tax. A gift affidavit may be required by the local tax collector’s office.

Source: FL Stat. § 319.23

Florida Side by Side transfer fees and requirements

In Florida, the title transfer fee is $75.25 and registration costs $14.50 - $32.50 based on vehicle weight. Side by Side sales are subject to 6% state sales tax plus discretionary county surtax (up to 1.5%). Florida does not require notarization for private-party side by side transfers. Florida does not require emission testing for private-party side by side sales.

Electronic title program (no paper titles for lien-free vehicles)
Title must be transferred within 30 days
Sales tax applies to purchase price or NADA value, whichever is higher
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles handles registration

Florida sales tax on side by side purchases

Florida has a 6% state sales tax rate. 6% state plus county discretionary surtax (0.5–1.5%). Private-party side by side sales in Florida are subject to sales tax. Tax based on purchase price or NADA book value, whichever is higher. The title transfer fee is $75.

Side by Side market data and safety information

The most common side by side makes in private-party sales are Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Average private-party side by side prices range from $5,000–$30,000. Side by sides average 2.6 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Steering, Fuel System, Fire Hazard.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used side by side

Before completing a side by side bill of sale in Florida, verify these safety items:

Verify ROPS (cage) is intact and meets manufacturer specifications
Check all seat belts and door/net latching mechanisms
Inspect CV axles and boots — the highest-wear item on side-by-sides
Test power steering operation and differential lock engagement

Side by Side insurance and depreciation in Florida

Insurance averages $200–$600/year. Multi-passenger models cost more. Required for on-road use. Side-by-sides depreciate 30–40% in 3 years. Sport models (RZR, Maverick) depreciate faster than utility models (Ranger). Peak season for private side by side sales is spring for recreation, fall for hunting season, with an average of 25 days on market.

Side by Side registration and titling

Side by Sides are classified as "Off-highway vehicle (OHV) — some states allow street-legal conversion" for registration purposes. Side-by-sides range from 1,000–2,000 lbs. Multi-seat crew models weigh more. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to side by sides.

Florida requirements for gift transfer side by side sales

For side by side gift transfer transactions in Florida, the buyer must pay 6% state sales tax plus discretionary county surtax (up to 1.5%) and a $75.25 title transfer fee. Notarization is not required. Odometer disclosure is required.

Electronic title program (no paper titles for lien-free vehicles)
Title must be transferred within 30 days
Sales tax applies to purchase price or NADA value, whichever is higher
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles handles registration

Safety tips for gift transfer side by side transactions

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

Checklist for gift transfer side by side sale in Florida

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
Mark "GIFT" + "$0" on the title transfer section
Provide affidavit of relationship for tax exemption
File HSMV 82040 within 30 days

Need the printable workflow?

Use the main Florida side by side bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.

Open Florida Side by Side bill of sale

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 side by side sale in Florida 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 Florida fees for a gift transfer side by side transfer?

Florida charges a $75.25 title transfer fee. Registration costs $14.50 - $32.50 based on vehicle weight. Sales tax: 6% state sales tax plus discretionary county surtax (up to 1.5%). Notarization is not required for most transfers.

What side by side makes are most commonly sold in Florida?

The most popular side by side makes in private-party sales are Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$30,000.

Do I pay sales tax on a gift transfer side by side sale in Florida?

Florida has a 6% state sales tax rate. Tax based on purchase price or NADA book value, whichever is higher

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