New York Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in New York costs $50 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $741.50 in total, with $600 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
New York title fees
These are the title-related fees in New York's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $50 |
|---|---|
| Duplicate title | $20 |
| Plates | $25 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in New York
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the New York car tax calculator:
| Title | $50 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $600 |
| Plates (if you register it now) | $25 |
| Registration (2 years) (if you register it now) | $56.50 |
| County vehicle use tax (2 years) (if you register it now) | $10 |
| Estimated total | $741.50 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
New York charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plates $25.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift / family (DTF-802) | Tax $0 |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance (DTF-803) | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase from an estate | Taxable |
Other cases that change the cost in New York
| Military with out-of-state tax paid (DTF-803) | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Nonresident not registering in NY (DTF-820) | Tax $0 |
| Tax paid to another state (DTF-804) | Credit against NY tax |
How New York works out what you owe
- Taxable = price - dealer trade-in
- Tax = taxable x combined rate for purchaser's residence
- Total = tax + title + plates + registration + county use tax + MCTD fee + 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 New York: dmv.ny.gov, www.tax.ny.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in New York?
The title fee is $50. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $741.50.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in New York?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, New York charges about $600. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in New York?
Yes. Plates: $25.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in New York?
Gift / family (DTF-802): Tax $0.
What happens to a car title after a death in New York?
Inheritance (DTF-803): Tax $0. Purchase from an estate: Taxable.