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Texas Guide

How to Gift a Car in Texas

Last verified: October 2026 against TxDMV and Texas Comptroller sources

Texas taxes a gift between close family members only $10, instead of the 6.25% motor vehicle tax, when both sides sign a gift affidavit.

Here is who qualifies and how to transfer the title.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Check that the giver qualifies

    The $10 gift tax applies when the car comes from a spouse (separate property only), parent or stepparent, child or stepchild, sibling or sibling-in-law, parent-in-law or child-in-law, grandparent or grandchild (including in-laws and great-grand relationships), or guardian.

    Aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins do not qualify.

  2. 2

    Make sure nothing is given in return

    A gift has no payment of any kind. If the recipient takes over a loan, the payoff amount is taxable as a sale.

  3. 3

    Sign the Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer (Form 14-317)

    The giver and the recipient sign one joint, notarized affidavit. The county tax office can witness a signature instead of a notary if the person signs in front of staff.

  4. 4

    Complete the title and Form 130-U

    The giver signs the title over with the odometer reading, and you complete the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U).

  5. 5

    Title it within 30 days

    Take the title, Form 130-U, and Form 14-317 to your county tax assessor-collector within 30 days. You pay the $10 gift tax, the title fee ($33 or $28 by county), and registration fees.

When a family transfer is taxed

  • The giver is not on the list (for example, an aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or cousin): the transfer is treated as a sale and the 6.25% motor vehicle tax applies, possibly on Standard Presumptive Value.
  • Money changes hands: a sale between family members is taxed like any private sale.
  • The recipient takes over a loan: the loan payoff (plus anything else paid) is taxable.

What to bring

  • The title, signed over by the giver with the odometer reading
  • Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer (Form 14-317), signed by both and notarized
  • Form 130-U, Application for Texas Title and/or Registration
  • Proof of liability insurance
  • Payment for the $10 gift tax, title fee, and registration fees

Estimate your Texas costs

For a qualifying gift, enter $0 as the price to see the title and registration costs, then add the $10 gift tax.

Open the full Texas calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

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

51 Jurisdictions Active
Texas 6.25% tax base
$
7 years old
Standard Passenger
Texas tag options
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $0.00
Texas: Non-Deductible
$

Texas Notice: Texas 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

Texas

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,022.25

Sales/Excise Tax + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (6.25%)

6.25% assessed on vehicle Fair Market Value

$937.50
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$33.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$51.75
Book Value Assessment Rule (≤ 7 Years Old)

Because this vehicle is 7 years old or newer (7 years old), Texas DMV may assess the 6.25% tax on book value instead of your purchase price unless accompanied by a verified or notarized bill of sale.

Texas rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Texas Comptroller, TxDMV, or your county tax assessor-collector.

Texas charges 6.25% motor vehicle tax on the greater of the purchase price or 80% of the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV).

Trade-in deductions do not apply to private-party sales in Texas.

Registration shown is the $50.75 base fee (or $54 for 6,001 to 10,000 lbs) plus $1 TexasSure. Also due at registration: a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee, a $4.75 processing fee, a $2.75 emissions fee in 17 counties, and county fees of $0 to $31.50. The title fee is $33 in nonattainment counties and $28 elsewhere.

Texas no longer requires safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles (since January 1, 2025). Vehicles in 17 counties still need an emissions inspection.

County & Local Tax Note: Texas charges a flat 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax statewide; local city and county sales taxes do not apply to motor vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this TxDMV and Texas Comptroller process.

$10, when the car comes from a qualifying relative or guardian and both of you sign Form 14-317.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with TxDMV and Texas Comptroller before you go.

More Texas guides

How to Title a Private Car Sale in TexasForm 130-U, the 6.25% tax and SPV rule, and the 30-day deadline.Registering a Car in Texas After Moving From Another StateThe 30-day deadline, the $90 new resident tax, and emissions counties.
Texas Private Party Car Tax Calculator