New York Bill of Sale Template

A bill of sale in New York is a legal document that records the transfer of personal property — most commonly a vehicle, boat, or other titled asset — from a seller to a buyer. The document establishes the purchase price, condition, and transfer date, serving as critical evidence for DMV title transfer, sales tax calculation, and liability protection. In New York, a bill of sale is required by the NY DMV if the vehicle price is below the "presumptive value" and the buyer wants to pay tax on the lower price. Regarding notarization, not required, but a notarized bill of sale may be requested if title information is incomplete or a lien release is pending. New York uses Form MV-912 (Bill of Sale) is the official NY DMV bill of sale form; Form MV-82 handles the actual registration. The purchase price stated on the bill of sale directly determines the sales tax owed: 4% state sales tax plus county/city sales tax (total 7-8.875% in NYC) — the buyer pays at registration based on purchase price or fair market value.

Without a bill of sale, both parties face significant risks. The seller remains liable for parking tickets, tolls, and accidents involving the vehicle until title transfer is complete. The buyer lacks proof of the agreed purchase price and may be assessed sales tax on the vehicle's full fair market value instead. For vehicles, a bill of sale should always accompany the signed title certificate. For items without titles (furniture, electronics, equipment), the bill of sale is the only legal proof of the transaction. Use our bill of sale generator to create a New York-compliant document that protects both parties. If the buyer is financing the purchase, pair it with a promissory note documenting the payment terms.