Overview
Either way, both the giver and recipient have to sign the correct affidavit, and the recipient still needs Massachusetts insurance stamped onto the Registration and Title Application before the RMV will process anything. The calculator below shows the real cost difference between the two gift categories.
01 - Official fees
Massachusetts gift a car fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Family gift tax (MVU-26) | $0 | |
| Family gift fee | $0 | |
| Non-family gift tax (MVU-24) | $0 | |
| Non-family gift fee (MVU-24) | $25 | non-refundable |
| Certificate of title (both cases) | $75 | |
| Registration, if transferring plates | $60 | covers 2 years |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Massachusetts RMV - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to gift a car in Massachusetts
- 1
Confirm the relationship: spouse, parent, child, or sibling (including step/adopted) qualifies for the tax- and fee-free MVU-26. Anyone else uses MVU-24.
- 2
Giver signs the title over to the recipient, marking it as a gift with no sale price.
- 3
Recipient gets Massachusetts insurance and has the agent certify the Registration and Title Application.
- 4
File the signed title, the correct MVU-24 or MVU-26 affidavit, and the RTA at an RMV Service Center within 10 days.
- 5
Pay the $75 title fee (plus the $25 MVU-24 fee if it's not an immediate-family gift) and registration if you're keeping the plates active.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Massachusetts vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Massachusetts gift a car FAQ
Who counts as 'immediate family' for the tax-free gift (MVU-26)?
Spouse, parent, child, or sibling - including step-parents, step-children, step-siblings, and adopted relationships. That's the complete list; grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws don't qualify and need MVU-24 instead.
What's the $25 fee on Form MVU-24 actually for?
It's a flat, non-refundable gift transfer fee the RMV charges whenever a vehicle changes hands as a gift outside the immediate family. It replaces the 6.25% sales tax - you still avoid the much larger tax bill - but it's not waived the way it is for MVU-26 family transfers.
Can I just say it's a gift to avoid the book-value tax rule on a low-price sale?
No - if money changes hands, it's a sale, not a gift, and the RMV will tax it as a private sale on the higher of your stated price or the vehicle's NADA clean trade-in value. MVU-24 and MVU-26 both require that no consideration was paid.
Does gifting a car to my adult child still require insurance first?
Yes. Whoever is receiving the vehicle needs an active Massachusetts insurance policy, with the agent certifying the Registration and Title Application, before the RMV will process the gift transfer - this rule doesn't bend for family transfers.
Is a gifted car exempt from the annual excise tax?
No. Once registered, a gifted vehicle is billed the same municipal excise tax as any other car - based on its MSRP and age, at $25 per $1,000 - regardless of how it changed ownership.
Can I gift a car that still has a loan on it?
Not cleanly - the lienholder holds the title until the loan is satisfied. Pay it off and get the lien released first, or the recipient will need to handle the loan directly, which typically makes it a sale rather than a gift.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.