Indiana Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Indiana costs $15 in title fees, and you have 45 days to do it. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,101.35 in total, with $1,050 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Indiana title fees
These are the title-related fees in Indiana's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Speed title | $25 |
| Late title penalty | $30 |
| Plate transfer | $9.50 |
| Late registration penalty | $15 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Indiana
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Indiana car tax calculator:
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $1,050 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $21.35 |
| Transportation infrastructure fee (if you register it now) | $15 |
| Estimated total | $1,101.35 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
In Indiana the buyer must apply for the new title within 45 days of the sale. Late penalties: late title penalty $30; plate transfer $9.50; late registration penalty $15.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift or inheritance with no consideration (ST-108E #7) | Tax $0; assuming a loan counts as consideration and is taxed |
|---|---|
| Adding/removing a relative (ST-108E #11) | Tax $0 |
| Nominal ($1) gift bill of sale | Treated as a sale |
Inherited vehicles
| Gift or inheritance with no consideration (ST-108E #7) | Tax $0; assuming a loan counts as consideration and is taxed |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Indiana
| New resident transferring prior-state title (ST-108E #8) | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Tax paid to another state | 7% minus tax paid |
| Military | No general exemption |
How Indiana works out what you owe
- Taxable = price - like-kind trade-in
- Tax = taxable x 7%
- Registration = registration + TIIF (or plate transfer) + EV/hybrid fee + annual excise + local surtax + wheel tax
- Total = tax + title + registration + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Indiana: www.in.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Indiana?
The title fee is $15. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,101.35.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Indiana?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Indiana charges about $1,050. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
How long do I have to transfer a title in Indiana?
45 days from the sale. After that a late penalty applies: Late title penalty $30; Plate transfer $9.50; Late registration penalty $15.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Indiana?
Gift or inheritance with no consideration (ST-108E #7): Tax $0; assuming a loan counts as consideration and is taxed. Adding/removing a relative (ST-108E #11): Tax $0. Nominal ($1) gift bill of sale: Treated as a sale.
What happens to a car title after a death in Indiana?
Gift or inheritance with no consideration (ST-108E #7): Tax $0; assuming a loan counts as consideration and is taxed.