Massachusetts Car Bill of Sale: Required + Form
Massachusetts is one of 16 US states that require a bill of sale for private vehicle title transfer. The state publishes a standard Bill of Sale form. Notarization is not required.
Is a bill of sale required in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts requires a signed bill of sale for private vehicle title transfer.
Notarization
Not required.
State-specific form
Massachusetts publishes a standard Bill of Sale form on the RMV website (mass.gov/rmv). Generic templates with the required fields are also acceptable.
The form must include:
- Seller's full legal name, address
- Buyer's full legal name, address
- Vehicle year, make, model, body type, VIN
- Odometer reading on the date of sale
- Sale price
- Date of sale
- Both signatures
Sales tax implications
Massachusetts state sales tax: 6.25% on motor vehicles. Computed on the higher of (sale price OR NADA book value, whichever is greater) — Massachusetts has a book-value floor like Maryland.
The buyer pays at the RMV at title transfer.
State-specific seller disclosures
- Odometer disclosure: federally required for vehicles under 20 years old
- Annual safety inspection: required for all MA-registered vehicles
- Emissions testing: required as part of annual inspection in most areas
- Salvage title disclosure: required if branded
- Lemon Law buyback: Massachusetts has strong lemon law disclosures; required if branded
Where to file
The buyer files at any Massachusetts RMV office within 30 days of sale.
For a more complete national reference, see the national bill of sale guide and our Boston guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a bill of sale in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts requires a signed bill of sale for private vehicle title transfer.
Does Massachusetts require a notarized bill of sale?
No.
What's the sales tax on a private car sale in Massachusetts?
6.25% statewide, computed on the higher of sale price or NADA book value.
Why is the tax based on book value?
Massachusetts uses a book-value floor to prevent underreporting. Even if the bill-of-sale price is below NADA book value, the tax is computed on book value.
What form do I use?
Massachusetts's standard Bill of Sale form (mass.gov/rmv) or any generic template with the required fields.
Where do I file the bill of sale in Massachusetts?
At any MA RMV office, with the signed title. Within 30 days of sale.
Does Massachusetts require safety inspection?
Yes — annual safety + emissions inspection for all MA-registered vehicles.
What if I lost the title in Massachusetts?
Apply for a duplicate at the MA RMV using Form RMV-1. $25 fee.
Should I disclose flaws on the bill of sale?
The "as-is" disclosure covers most. Disclose salvage, rebuilt, or lemon-law buyback status, and major defects.
Selling a car in Massachusetts?
Generate a Boston-, Worcester-, or Cambridge-ready listing for Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Cars.com from one upload. About ten minutes total.
For Boston specifically, see our selling in Boston guide.