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New Jersey Guide

How to Gift a Car in New Jersey

Last verified: October 2026 against NJ MVC and Division of Taxation sources

A genuine gift of a car is exempt from New Jersey sales tax. The purchase price line on the title must say “GIFT.”

Here is how to transfer a gifted car.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Write GIFT as the price

    The giver signs the seller’s section of the title and writes “GIFT” on the purchase price line. If the entry looks altered, the MVC may ask for more documentation.

  2. 2

    Check for a loan

    A gift free of liens is exempt. If the car still has a loan, sales tax is due on the loan amount you take over, unless you were already a co-owner on the original title.

  3. 3

    Answer any Division of Taxation questionnaire

    The Division of Taxation may send a questionnaire about the transfer. The giver completes the Seller’s Affidavit to confirm the gift.

  4. 4

    Get New Jersey insurance

    Bring your New Jersey insurance card, or the company name and policy number, to register the car.

  5. 5

    Transfer the title in person

    Within 10 working days, bring the title, your ID, New Jersey insurance, and Form BA-49 to a motor vehicle agency. Pay the $60 title fee and registration.

What to bring

  • The title, signed by the giver, with “GIFT” on the price line
  • Your driver’s license or other ID
  • New Jersey insurance card or policy details
  • Vehicle Registration Application (BA-49)
  • Loan payoff or lienholder information, if the car has a loan

Estimate your New Jersey costs

For a gift free of liens, enter $0 as the price to see the title and registration fees.

Open the full New Jersey calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in New Jersey.

51 Jurisdictions Active
New Jersey 6.625% tax base
$
7 years old
Standard Passenger
New Jersey tag options
1-Year Term (New Jersey registers for one year)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $25.00
New Jersey: Non-Deductible
$

New Jersey Notice: New Jersey taxes the full agreed vehicle price. Trade-ins do not reduce the tax base on private-party sales.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

New Jersey

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,100.25

Sales/Excise Tax + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (6.625%)

Calculated at 6.625% on taxable base of $15,000

$993.75
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$60.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$46.50

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New Jersey rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission or the Division of Taxation.

Sales tax is 6.625% of the price you paid. The Division of Taxation’s Casual Sales Unit may question a price well below market value and use NADA values if you do not respond.

There is no trade-in credit on a private sale. Swapping vehicles is taxed on fair market value.

Registration shown uses MVC’s weight classes and the higher fee for model years within 2 years. The $270 zero emission vehicle fee is worked out from the statutory schedule ($250 in July 2024 plus $10 a year), not a figure the MVC publishes.

County & Local Tax Note: New Jersey’s 6.625% sales tax is the same statewide; there is no local vehicle sales tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NJ MVC and Division of Taxation process.

Not if it is a genuine gift free of liens, with “GIFT” on the title’s price line.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with NJ MVC and Division of Taxation before you go.

More New Jersey guides

How to Title a Private Car Sale in New JerseyThe signed title, BA-49, the 10-day deadline, and 6.625% sales tax.Titling a Car in New Jersey After Moving From Another StateThe 60-day deadline, no sales tax, and the forms to bring.
New Jersey Private Party Car Tax Calculator