Have you ever simply been handed the keys to a “new-to-you” automobile and puzzled, “What paperwork will the RMV want so I’m not hit with gross sales tax?”
Or are you passing your previous SUV to your daughter and stressing over which kind—MVU-24 or MVU-26—retains the transaction tax-free?
Within the subsequent jiffy you’ll know precisely
which kind applies, what it prices, and the proof you could convey so the clerk can course of your switch with out surprises.
We’ll (1) outline every kind, (2) lay out a side-by-side comparability, (3) stroll by way of real-life situations, and (4) wrap up with the paperwork and subsequent steps you’ll want on the RMV counter.
The Fast Reply (for skimmers)
| Scenario | Appropriate Type | Gross sales-Tax Owed? | Further Charge? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car is really a present —no cash adjustments palms, giver/recipient will be anybody |
MVU-24 | No gross sales tax |
$25 gift-transfer payment ( mass.gov , mass.gov ) |
| Car is transferred inside your instant household (mother or father, little one, sibling, partner) |
MVU-26 | No gross sales tax |
No gift-transfer payment ( mass.gov , mass.gov ) |
Use MVU-24 for any
no-money reward; use MVU-26 solely when the giver and recipient are instant household.
What Is Type MVU-24? – Reward Transfers
MVU-24 is the sales-tax-exemption affidavit the giver completes when a car is transferred as a present
, no matter relationship.
( mass.gov
)
- Eligibility:
Any non-public party-to-private-party reward the place no cash
adjustments palms. - Charge:
A compulsory $25 “reward switch” cost
(plus commonplace title ®gistration charges). ( mass.gov
) - Paperwork to convey:
- Accomplished, signed MVU-24 kind (each events signal).
- Earlier title (signed over).
- Proof of insurance coverage & accomplished RMV-1/2 kind out of your insurer.
Take note of the $25 payment—many givers neglect to warn the recipient and find yourself scrambling on the cashier window.
What Is Type MVU-26? – Household Transfers
- Eligible relationships:
Mother or father ↔ little one, spouses, siblings. (Aunt-to-niece and grandparent-to-grandchild do not
qualify—use MVU-24.) - Charge:
No gross sales tax; you pay solely commonplace title ®gistration charges. - Paperwork to convey:
- Accomplished, signed MVU-26 kind.
- Proof of the qualifying relationship (license addresses, delivery certificates, or marriage certificates).
- Title, insurance coverage, RMV-1/2 as regular.
In case you can’t show the household relationship on the spot, the RMV will reclassify the deal as a present and cost the $25 payment.
MVU-24 vs. MVU-26 – Detailed Comparability
| Characteristic | MVU-24 (Reward) | MVU-26 (Household) |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it? | Anybody giving a car free of charge | Solely instant members of the family |
| Gross sales-tax exemption | ✅ Sure | ✅ Sure |
| $25 Reward-transfer payment | ✅ Sure | ❌ No |
| Proof required | Signed affidavit | Signed affidavit plus proof of relationship |
| Frequent examples | Pal provides you an previous truck | Mother indicators over her sedan to you |
Actual-Life Situations
- Pal-to-friend truck hand-off
– MVU-24 + $25 payment. - Dad transfers commuter automobile to son
– MVU-26, no payment. - Grandma to grandson
– Not
instant household per RMV; select MVU-24 and pay $25. - Partner retitles shared SUV after divorce
– MVU-26 nonetheless applies; no gross sales tax.
Frequent Errors (and How
You
Can Keep away from Them)
- Paying the $25 twice.
The RMV expenses it as soon as
per reward switch—don’t let an over-eager clerk double-dip. - Bringing the mistaken kind.
Givers typically obtain MVU-24 as a result of it reveals up first in search; triple-check the connection field earlier than printing. - Leaving blanks.
Any clean on the affidavit invalidates the exemption; fill each line, even “N/A.”
What to Deliver to the RMV—Your Guidelines
- Signed title (vendor part accomplished).
- MVU-24 or
MVU-26—no substitutions. - RMV-1/2 insurance coverage kind with stamp or e-signature out of your insurer.
- Proof of relationship (if utilizing MVU-26).
- Your checkbook or card for the $25 payment (MVU-24) and commonplace title/registration charges for both kind.
Nonetheless uncertain which kind works for your
switch? Name our native unbiased insurance coverage professionals at 617-298-0655
for a fast, no-pressure reply.
