Massachusetts Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Massachusetts costs $75 in title fees, and you have 10 days to do it. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,072.50 in total, with $937.50 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Massachusetts title fees
These are the title-related fees in Massachusetts's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $75 |
|---|---|
| Gift transfer fee | $25 |
| Lien | $25 |
| Duplicate title | $25 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Massachusetts
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Massachusetts car tax calculator:
| Title | $75 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $937.50 |
| Registration (2 years) (if you register it now) | $60 |
| Estimated total | $1,072.50 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
In Massachusetts the buyer must apply for the new title within 10 days of the sale.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift (MVU-24) | Tax $0 plus $25 gift fee |
|---|---|
| Family transfer: parent, spouse, child, sibling (MVU-26) | Tax $0, no gift fee |
| Nominal ($1) gift without MVU-24 | Taxable |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance (MVU-27) | Tax $0 |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Massachusetts
| Tax paid elsewhere | Credit against use tax |
|---|
How Massachusetts works out what you owe
- Dealer: taxable = price - trade-in - rebate
- Private / unregistered dealer: taxable = greater of price or NADA clean trade-in
- Tax = taxable x 6.25%
- Total = tax + title + registration + lien + gift fee + municipal excise + 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 Massachusetts: www.mass.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Massachusetts?
The title fee is $75. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,072.50.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Massachusetts?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Massachusetts charges about $937.50. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
How long do I have to transfer a title in Massachusetts?
10 days from the sale.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Massachusetts?
Gift (MVU-24): Tax $0 plus $25 gift fee. Family transfer: parent, spouse, child, sibling (MVU-26): Tax $0, no gift fee. Nominal ($1) gift without MVU-24: Taxable.
What happens to a car title after a death in Massachusetts?
Inheritance (MVU-27): Tax $0.