Legal form · Vehicles · official sources
Illinois vehicle bill of sale
As of October 26, 2026, an Illinois private-party car buyer files Form RUT-50 within 30 days and pays a flat use tax; the Secretary of State lists a bill of sale as supporting proof.1–3
The Illinois Secretary of State answers “No” when asked whether an Illinois title has to be notarized.4
Every Illinois transfer of a motor vehicle from one person to another is accompanied by a completed Form RUT-50, with the tax paid by separate check or money order to the Illinois Department of Revenue.2
Preview of the document
Vehicle Bill of Sale
State of Illinois
1. The parties
This Vehicle Bill of Sale is made on Date between Seller’s full name (the “Seller”) and Buyer’s full name (the “Buyer”).
2. The vehicle
The Seller sells and transfers to the Buyer the following motor vehicle (the “Vehicle”): year Year, make Make, model Model, vehicle identification number (VIN) VIN.
3. Purchase price or gift
4. Odometer statement
5. Condition and warranty
6. Ownership and title
7. Title, registration and taxes
8. Entire agreement
9. Signatures
Sections 3–9 unlock after purchase. Prepared with SimplePaperwork, which is not a law firm.
Illinois’ rules, with sources
- State form
- The Illinois Secretary of State lists a bill of sale among the personal documents that may accompany an Electronic Registration and Title application.2
- The same Illinois Secretary of State document list includes the Seller’s Report of Sale, form VSD 703.2
- Form RUT-50 records the purchase price, odometer reading, VIN, year, make and model of a vehicle bought from a private party in Illinois.1
- The Illinois Department of Revenue says a copy of the bill of sale or other proof of purchase attached to Form RUT-50 may prevent future notices.1
- Illinois Form RUT-49, the Vehicle Transaction Affidavit, may take the place of a bill of sale when the Department of Revenue questions the purchase price.5
- Signing
- The Illinois Secretary of State answers “No” when asked whether an Illinois title has to be notarized.4
- When two names appear on the back of an Illinois title, both people sign the title and registration applications.4
- Seller and buyer both sign Illinois Form RUT-49 under penalties of perjury, certifying the price stated for the vehicle.5
- On a paper Form RUT-50, the Illinois purchaser signs, and so does any co-owner.1
- Deadlines
- Illinois Form RUT-50 is due within 30 days of acquiring a vehicle in Illinois, or within 30 days of bringing into Illinois a vehicle acquired elsewhere.1
- An Application for Vehicle Transaction(s), VSD 190, prepared through the Illinois Electronic Registration and Title system goes to a Secretary of State facility, with documents and payment, within seven days.2
- Where it is filed
- Every Illinois transfer of a motor vehicle from one person to another is accompanied by a completed Form RUT-50, with the tax paid by separate check or money order to the Illinois Department of Revenue.2
- Form RUT-50 and the tax are handed to the Illinois Secretary of State when the buyer applies for the title.3
- A RUT-50 filed online through MyTax Illinois must be printed, because the Illinois Secretary of State needs the printed copy to process the title and plates.3
- A paper RUT-50 travels with the Secretary of State application and fees to the Vehicle Services Department at the Howlett Building in Springfield.1
- Taxes and fees
- For an Illinois private-party vehicle priced under $15,000, Table A sets the use tax by age, from $465 for a vehicle 1 year old or less down to $100 at 11 years or more.1
- At $15,000 or more, Illinois Table B sets the private-party tax by price, from $850 for $15,000 to $19,999.99 up to $10,100 at $1,000,000 or more.1
- A vehicle bought from or given by a spouse, parent, brother, sister or child carries a flat $15 Illinois private-party tax.1
- Illinois taxes a motorcycle or ATV bought from a private party at a flat $25 on Form RUT-50.1
- Illinois Form RUT-50 allows no trade-in deduction, and a gift or even trade is taxed on fair market value.1
- A buyer living within the City of Chicago or Cook County may owe an additional local private party vehicle use tax on top of the Illinois tax.6
- The Illinois Secretary of State charges $165 for an original vehicle title.7
- Titling and registering a standard vehicle in Illinois costs $316 in all: $165 for the title and $151 for registration and plates.4
- Law
- The Illinois private party vehicle use tax applies to vehicles bought, or received as a gift or transfer, from another individual or private party, while dealer sales fall under the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act.3
- The Illinois Department of Revenue points to 86 Ill. Adm. Code Part 151 for the rules on reporting the private party vehicle use tax.6
- An Illinois buyer who files RUT-50 after the due date owes a late filing penalty, and paying after the original due date adds a late payment penalty.1
Questions about an Illinois bill of sale
What paperwork goes with an Illinois private vehicle sale?
Besides the signed title and the title application, Illinois requires Form RUT-50 on every transfer of a vehicle from one person to another: it reports the private party vehicle use tax. The Secretary of State lists a bill of sale, and the Seller’s Report of Sale (VSD 703), among the documents that can go with the application.
The Department of Revenue suggests attaching the bill of sale to RUT-50, because proof of the price may prevent later notices. If the department does question the price, Form RUT-49, signed by both seller and buyer, can stand in for a bill of sale.1,2,5
Who signs what in an Illinois vehicle sale?
The Secretary of State’s FAQ answers “No” to whether an Illinois title must be notarized. When two names appear on the back of the title, both people sign the title and registration applications.
The tax forms carry the sworn signatures: the purchaser and any co-owner sign a paper RUT-50, and seller and purchaser both sign RUT-49, under penalties of perjury, when it is used.1,4,5
What deadlines follow an Illinois private-party purchase?
Form RUT-50 is due within 30 days of the purchase, gift or transfer. It reaches the Secretary of State with the title application, and the title and plates are processed only with a copy of it.
An application prepared online through the Electronic Registration and Title system must reach a Secretary of State facility, with documents and payment, within seven days.1–3
How much tax does an Illinois private-party buyer pay?
The amount comes from two tables of fixed dollar figures. Under $15,000 it falls with the vehicle’s age, from $465 to $100; at $15,000 and up it rises with the price, from $850 to $10,100. A transfer within the immediate family is $15, and a motorcycle or ATV is $25.
No trade-in deduction applies, and Chicago or Cook County residents may owe a local tax as well. The Secretary of State then charges $165 for the title and $151 for standard registration.1,4,6,7
What to have at hand
- Vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, model and plate
- Odometer reading on the day of sale
- Sale price, or the value if it is a gift
- Full legal names and addresses of seller and buyer
It does not replace the title. Ownership moves when the signed title and the state’s title application reach the motor vehicle agency.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Illinois?
The completed RUT-50 is what Illinois requires on every transfer between people. The Secretary of State lists a bill of sale among the supporting documents for a title application, and the Department of Revenue says attaching one to RUT-50 may prevent later questions about the price.1,2
How is a car given to a family member taxed in Illinois?
A flat $15 when it comes from a spouse, parent, brother, sister or child, including adopted children, and a spouse includes a party to a civil union. Step-relatives, in-laws, grandparents and grandchildren do not qualify; for them the regular tables apply, using fair market value for a gift.1
Where this information comes from
Illinois’ rules above come from the state’s own statutes, agency pages and forms, read on the date shown. A rule that passes its review date without a new check is removed automatically.
- RUT-50, Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction Instructions (Illinois Department of Revenue, R-04/26) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- Electronic Registration and Title (Illinois Secretary of State) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- Private Party Vehicle Use Tax (Illinois Department of Revenue) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- Vehicle Services FAQ (Illinois Secretary of State) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- Vehicle Transaction Affidavit (Illinois Form RUT-49, R-05/24) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- Vehicle Tax FAQs (Illinois Department of Revenue) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- Fees (Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
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