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Utah Guide

How to Gift a Car in Utah

Last verified: October 2026 against Utah DMV and Tax Commission sources

Utah has no sales tax exemption for family-to-family vehicle purchases. Tax is due on sales between family members, on what was actually paid.

Here is how to transfer a car within the family.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Know what counts as payment

    The taxable price includes anything of value given: cash, paying off the loan, or a trade. A trade only reduces the price when it is a vehicle-for-vehicle trade in the same transaction.

  2. 2

    Report the real price

    The price on your documents must be what was actually paid. The Tax Commission reviews it, and underreporting can lead to an audit and a fraud penalty of 100% of the tax or $500, whichever is greater.

  3. 3

    Transfer the title

    The family member signs the title over to you with the purchase date and price filled in, and any lien released.

  4. 4

    Fill out Form TC-656

    Complete the Application for Utah Title and Registration (TC-656), with ID for each owner.

  5. 5

    Register and pay

    Get an emissions test if your county requires one. Pay the $6 title fee, the registration fee, the uniform fee, and sales tax on any amount paid.

What to bring

  • The title, signed over to you, with the date and price filled in
  • Odometer disclosure, if the vehicle is under 20 years old
  • Application for Utah Title and Registration (TC-656)
  • ID for every owner
  • Emissions certificate, if your county requires one

Estimate your Utah costs

Enter what was actually paid, including any loan payoff. Utah taxes family sales like any other sale.

Open the full Utah calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

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

51 Jurisdictions Active
Utah 4.85% tax base
$
7 years old
Utah tag options
1-Year Term (Utah registers for one year)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $0.00
Utah: Deductible
$

Utah Statute: Utah allows trade-in value on private sales to be deducted from the purchase price before applying the 4.85% fee.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

Utah

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,111.00 – $1,666.00

Sales/Excise Tax (State + Local Range) + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (4.85% State + Local Range)

State tax $727.50 + Local tax (varies by county) $225.00–$780.00

$952.50 – $1,507.50
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$6.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$152.50

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

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Utah DMV or the Utah State Tax Commission.

Sales tax is based on the price you actually paid, at the combined rate (6.35% to 10.05%) where the vehicle will be registered. Utah has no family exemption.

Registration shown is the $72.50 registration fee ($73.25 for motorcycles) plus the 2026 uniform age-based fee, which replaces property tax. Some counties add a $10 corridor fee or a $2 to $3 air pollution control fee.

Electric vehicles pay a $180 road usage charge for 2026, rising to $280 on January 1, 2027. Plug-in hybrids pay at least $56.50, adjusted each year for inflation.

A trade lowers the price only for a vehicle-for-vehicle trade in the same transaction.

County & Local Tax Note: Utah’s 4.85% state rate plus local taxes gives combined rates from 6.35% to 10.05% (October 2026). The rate is the one for where the vehicle will be registered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this Utah DMV and Tax Commission process.

Yes. Utah has no sales tax exemption for family-to-family vehicle purchases.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with Utah DMV and Tax Commission before you go.

More Utah guides

How to Title a Private Car Sale in UtahThe signed title, TC-656, sales tax, emissions, and the uniform fee.Titling a Car in Utah After Moving From Another StateThe 60-day deadline, VIN inspection, emissions, and fees.
Utah Private Party Car Tax Calculator