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Gift transfer — Washington

Washington Truck bill of sale for gift transfer

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

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

What to know about gift transfer sales in Washington

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

Seller guidance

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.

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.

Washington-Specific Note

Washington state use tax applies to private vehicle sales, but gifts to immediate family members are exempt under RCW 82.12.0251. Qualifying family includes spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild. Complete the title assignment with "gift" as the sales price and submit to the WA DOL with a Vehicle Title Application.

Legal considerations

Washington state use tax applies to private vehicle sales, but gifts to immediate family members are exempt under RCW 82.12.0251. Qualifying family includes spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild. Complete the title assignment with "gift" as the sales price and submit to the WA DOL with a Vehicle Title Application.

Washington 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

Washington Truck transfer fees and requirements

In Washington, the title transfer fee is $12 and registration costs $30 plus RTA tax in certain areas. Truck sales are subject to 6.5% state sales tax plus local taxes (up to ~10.4%). Washington does not require notarization for private-party truck transfers. Emission testing is required in Washington — verify the truck passes before completing the sale.

  • Department of Licensing (DOL) handles titles and registration
  • Emissions testing required in parts of King, Pierce, Snohomish, Clark, and Spokane counties
  • Use tax applies to private party purchases
  • Electric vehicle fee of $225 per year

Washington sales tax on truck purchases

Washington has a 6.5% state sales tax rate. 6.5% state plus local taxes (total up to ~10.4%). Private-party truck sales in Washington are subject to sales tax. Use tax applies to private party vehicle purchases. The title transfer fee is $12.

Truck market data and safety information

The most common truck makes in private-party sales are Ford, Chevrolet, RAM, Toyota, GMC. Average private-party truck prices range from $8,000–$55,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent truck models is 4 out of 5 stars. Trucks average 3.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Power Train, Fuel System, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used truck

Before completing a truck bill of sale in Washington, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect frame for rust — trucks used in salt-belt states often have hidden corrosion
  • Check 4WD/AWD transfer case engagement and operation
  • Verify towing package wiring and hitch receiver condition
  • Test tailgate mechanism and bed liner condition

Truck insurance and depreciation in Washington

Full-size trucks cost 10–20% more to insure than sedans. Lifted trucks or diesel modifications may increase premiums further. Trucks hold value better than cars — full-size pickups retain 60–70% of value after 5 years. Diesel models retain the most. Peak season for private truck sales is late spring through summer when construction and outdoor activity demand rises, with an average of 18 days on market.

Truck registration and titling

Trucks are classified as "Light truck (under 8,500 lbs) or Medium truck (8,500–26,000 lbs)" for registration purposes. Trucks under 16,000 lbs GVWR follow passenger rules. Over 16,000 lbs GVWR triggers commercial vehicle requirements and federal odometer exemption. Federal odometer disclosure is required for trucks under 20 years old.

Washington requirements for gift transfer truck sales

For truck gift transfer transactions in Washington, the buyer must pay 6.5% state sales tax plus local taxes (up to ~10.4%) and a $12 title transfer fee. Notarization is not required. Odometer disclosure is required.

  • Department of Licensing (DOL) handles titles and registration
  • Emissions testing required in parts of King, Pierce, Snohomish, Clark, and Spokane counties
  • Use tax applies to private party purchases
  • Electric vehicle fee of $225 per year

Safety tips for gift transfer truck transactions

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

Checklist for gift transfer truck sale in Washington

  1. Establish fair market value (Kelley Blue Book or comparable)
  2. Determine if IRS Form 709 filing is required (value >$18,000 in 2024)
  3. Obtain state-specific gift affidavit or complete the gift section on the title
  4. Confirm state sales/use tax exemption eligibility for family gifts
  5. Notarize the bill of sale or gift affidavit if your state requires it
  6. Complete the title assignment indicating "gift" as the sales price
  7. Submit a Vehicle Title Application to the WA Department of Licensing
  8. Verify exemption eligibility under RCW 82.12.0251 — immediate family only

Need the printable workflow?

Use the main Washington truck 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 truck sale in Washington 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 Washington fees for a gift transfer truck transfer?

Washington charges a $12 title transfer fee. Registration costs $30 plus RTA tax in certain areas. Sales tax: 6.5% state sales tax plus local taxes (up to ~10.4%). Notarization is not required for most transfers.

What truck makes are most commonly sold in Washington?

The most popular truck makes in private-party sales are Ford, Chevrolet, RAM, Toyota, GMC. Average private-party prices range from $8,000–$55,000.

Do I pay sales tax on a gift transfer truck sale in Washington?

Washington has a 6.5% state sales tax rate. Use tax applies to private party vehicle purchases

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