Vehicles transferred from family members
You are exempt from paying sales tax on a vehicle transferred from any of the following family members:
Father/mother
Brother/sister
Husband/wife
Son/daughter
The family member transferring the vehicle must complete a sales tax exemption form (MVU-26). The exemption does not apply if transferred from a grandparent, cousin, uncle or aunt.
Vehicles transferred as a gift
You may be exempt from paying sales tax on a vehicle transferred to you as a gift from another person. The person transferring the vehicle must have met the tax laws of the state they registered it. You must pay a $25 fee and the title and registration fees. The person gifting the vehicle must complete a sales tax exemption form (MVU-24).
To obtain a registration and title, you will need to submit the following in person at any RMV Service Center (except Natick):
A completed Registration and Title Application. The owner must sign this, and your insurance company must stamp it.
Previous owner's certificate of title assigned to the new owner. If your vehicle is exempt from title due to age, you must present the previous registration and the bill of sale.
A $75 title fee
Registration fee (fees vary by plate type, refer to the RMV's Schedule of Fees)
Sales tax exemption form completed and signed by previous owner
This is a family MVU-26 or gift MVU-24.
$25 gift fee, if applicable
If you are presenting the previous owner's title, be sure to complete the back with:
The date transferred
Odometer reading
Purchase price ('Gift' if applicable)
You and the previous owner must sign the back of the title.
After you complete the transaction, you will receive one of the following:
A registration certificate
New plates and a year of expiration decal for the rear plate
A registration certificate with the new vehicle information
The RMV will process and title and mail it to you in approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
You must obtain a vehicle inspection sticker within 7 days of the registration date.