Sales of Off-Highway Vehicles by Dealers and Retailers

Sales price

Dealers and retailers must collect sales tax on the sales price of off-highway vehicles at the time of sale unless an exemption applies. Items that are nontaxable aren’t part of the sales price. The final amount you charge your customer can include both taxable and nontaxable items.

What sales price includes

Sales price includes the following items, even if you don’t separately state them on the invoice:

  • Freight or shipping charges to transport the off-highway vehicle before the sale
  • U.S. federal excise tax imposed on the manufacturer, wholesaler or importer before the sale
  • All options and accessories (e.g., GPS systems, upgraded features, theft-deterrent systems)
  • Services, including charges for labor the dealer or retailer provides as part of the sale agreement (e.g., painting, coating, rust proofing; washing, waxing, cleaning; lettering)
    Note: See exemption for service charges on certain new vehicles sold by dealers as of July 1, 2019, below.
  • Labor charges before the sale (e.g., installation, fabrication, repairs required by the buyer including both parts and labor)
    Note: See exemption for labor charges on certain new vehicles sold by dealers as of July 1, 2019, below.
  • Mandatory service and warranty agreements
  • Dealer document, credit card and other service fees
  • Insurance settlements
  • Manufacturer’s rebates
  • Auction fees (e.g., gate fees, buyer’s fees)

What sales price doesn’t include

The sales price doesn’t include the following items if you separately state them on the invoice:

  • Title and registration fees a government agency imposes
  • Optional service and warranty agreements
  • Finance charges (e.g., loan origination fees, interest)
  • Optional insurance (e.g., GAP insurance)

Note: A customer down payment doesn’t reduce the taxable sales price.

Exemption for labor and service charges to install accessories on new vehicles

Effective July 1, 2019, dealers’ labor or service charges to install accessories on certain new factory-delivered vehicles are exempt.

The exemption includes the following off-highway vehicles:

  • All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
  • Utility-type vehicles (UTVs)
  • Specialty off-highway vehicles (SOHVs)
  • Motorbikes
  • Snowmobiles

Examples of accessories on new factory-delivered vehicles that qualify for the exemption are:

  • Saddlebags
  • Truck storage racks
  • Sealant, rustproofing, undercoating
  • Sound systems
  • Anti-theft devices
  • Wheel locks
  • Splashguards

Note: “Accessories” doesn’t include service or maintenance contracts.

Reference: Idaho Code section 63-3622OO, effective July 1, 2019.

Trade-in allowances

You can accept merchandise as full or partial payment of an off-highway vehicle you sell. The amount allowed on the traded-in merchandise reduces the taxable sales price, which is the amount you charge tax on.

  • You must put the merchandise you take in trade into your inventory for resale.
  • The trade-in and all documentation must take place at the time of the sale, or the allowance doesn’t reduce the taxable price.
  • You can’t accept manufactured homes and modified park model recreational vehicles as trade-ins.

A leased off-highway vehicle you accept as a trade-in for a new purchase reduces the sales price only if both these criteria are met:

  • The customer has paid the lease in full.
  • The customer paid sales tax on the buyout of the lease.

Read this chart to see pdf what is and isn’t included in the calculation of taxable sales price.

Leases and Rentals of Off-Highway Vehicles by Dealers and Retailers

The sales price for a rental or lease of an off-highway vehicle is the same as for the sale of an off-highway vehicle. See the Sales Price section.

Type of lease/rentalHow the lease/rental worksWhen to collect sales tax
Basic lease or rentalThe customer returns the motor vehicle to the lessor at the end of the lease or rental term.Collect sales tax on each lease or rental payment.
Lease or rent with option to buyThe customer has the option of buying the motor vehicle during the lease or rental term or at the end of the term at fair market value.Collect sales tax on each lease or rental payment and on the price the customer pays when buying the motor vehicle.
Lease/rent and purchaseThe customer makes regular payments during the lease or rental term. At the end of the term, title to the motor vehicle passes to the customer for $0 or an amount that’s less than fair market value.The customer will own the motor vehicle at the end of the lease or rental term, so this is a sale and a financing arrangement. Collect sales tax on the sales price of the vehicle at the beginning of the term, when the sale is made (the contract is completed).

You calculate the taxable sales price for a lease or rental of an off-highway vehicle the same as the sale of an off-highway vehicle. See the Sales Price section.

Note: Out-of-state companies that lease out off-highway vehicles in Idaho must follow all these requirements:

  • Get an Idaho sales tax permit before leasing out off-highway vehicles that they or the buyer can register, use, license or store in Idaho.
  • Collect and forward sales tax to Idaho for the off-highway vehicle they lease out.
  • Report income from Idaho leases on their Idaho income tax return.

Exempt sales of off-highway vehicles by dealers and retailers

Most people must pay sales tax when they buy off-highway vehicles in Idaho. Only a few can buy these vehicles exempt from Idaho dealers and retailers, under certain conditions.

You could be held responsible for paying the sales tax yourself if you don’t collect it when you should.

Idaho buyers

Individual buyers likely don’t qualify for the exemption if they provide an Idaho driver’s license, Idaho address or Idaho contact information.

Military buyers

A military member who buys an off-highway vehicle to use in Idaho must pay tax even if Idaho isn’t the member’s state of residence.

Nonresident buyers

nonresident can be an individual, a company or organization. A business or organization is a nonresident if it’s not formed under Idaho laws, isn’t required to register with the Idaho Secretary of State to do business in the state, doesn’t have significant contacts with Idaho, and doesn’t have consistent operations in Idaho.

A nonresident that buys an off-highway vehicle for use outside Idaho might qualify for an exemption if all of the following apply:

  • The off-highway vehicle is intended for use outside Idaho and won’t require titling in Idaho.
  • The nonresident will take it out of Idaho and immediately register and title it (if required) in another state or foreign country.
  • It won’t be used in Idaho for more than 90 days in any consecutive 12-month period. (A day of use in Idaho is 16 hours during any 24-hour period.)

The exemption can apply to:

  • ATVs
  • UTVs
  • SOHVs
  • Motorbikes
  • Snowmobiles

The exemption doesn’t apply to accessories that aren’t part of the off-highway vehicle bought in Idaho (e.g., clothing, tow ropes).

A nonresident that buys an off-highway vehicle to take out of state doesn’t qualify for the exemption if an Idaho resident is included as one of the following:

  • Co-buyer on the sales invoice or retail purchase agreement
  • Co-borrower on loan applications
  • Co-applicant for title or registration
  • Party on any other sales documents

Each nonresident buyer must give you a completed pdf Form ST-104NR – Sales Tax Exemption Certificate – Nonresident Vehicle/Vessel. Keep the form for your records, and forward a copy to the Tax Commission in one of these ways:

  • Scan and email to: vehicles@tax.idaho.gov.
  • Mail to: Idaho State Tax Commission – Tax Discovery Bureau, PO Box 36, Boise ID 83722-0410.

Government agencies, schools, some nonprofit organizations and American Indian tribes

Buyers listed below are exempt from sales tax on everything they buy, including off-highway vehicles.

  • U.S. federal government agencies
  • Idaho state and political subdivisions (such as cities and counties)
  • Public schools
  • Some nonprofit schools
  • Certain nonprofit and health organizations specifically exempted by Idaho law (e.g., nonprofit hospitals, qualified health organizations)
  • American Indian tribes

These agencies and organizations must give you a completed pdf Form ST-101 – Sales Tax Resale or Exemption Certificate. Keep the exemption certificate for your records. The exemption doesn’t apply to buyers who are employees purchasing an item for personal use and not on behalf of the exempt agency. You could be held liable for the sales tax on taxable purchases if you don’t collect it.

Note: For a complete list of exempt agencies and organizations, see our Exemptions guide.

Members of American Indian tribes

The laws for buying an off-highway vehicle tax free are different for individual members of American Indian tribes than for the tribes themselves. Tribal members must take delivery of the off-highway vehicle on a reservation for the sale to be exempt from sales tax.

The buyer must give you, the dealer or retailer, a completed pdf Form ST-133 – Sales Tax Exemption Certificate – Family or American Indian Sales. Keep the form for your records. Your records must clearly show that you delivered the off-highway vehicle to the reservation. Otherwise, you could be held liable for the sales tax.

Production businesses

UTVs and SOHVs might be eligible for the production (including farming and ranching) exemption.

The UTV or SOHV must meet all these requirements to be exempt:

  • The production business can’t register it.
  • The production business can’t use it on public roads and highways.
  • The production business must use it primarily in qualifying production activities.

The producer, farmer or rancher must give you a completed pdf Form ST-101 – Sales Tax Resale or Exemption Certificate.

This chart lists all available vehicle and vessel sales/use tax exemptions including off-highway vehiclespdf Vehicles & Vessels: Exemption Certificates.

Servicing off-highway vehicles by dealers and retailers

Repair work for off-highway vehicles takes many forms.

This chart explains how to buy, bill and charge tax on parts used in different types of off-highway vehicle repairs in Idaho, including repairs under warrantypdf Vehicles and Vessels: Repairs.

Note: You owe tax on the tools and shop supplies you buy for making repairs.

Sales of Off-Highway Vehicles by Private Parties

This section applies to sales, transfers, exempt sales, rentals and leases of off-highway vehicles between private parties. Private parties are individuals or businesses who aren’t dealers or retailers.

Sales price

  • A sale between private parties must have a bill of sale because it establishes the sale price, and it’s proof of how much the buyer paid.
    • Both the buyer and seller should sign the bill of sale.
    • If the bill of the sale is far below the expected fair market value, the buyer must have evidence to show why the price was so low.
  • Buyers must pay tax on the off-highway vehicle when they register or title it.
  • The county assessor or the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will collect sales tax when the buyer registers or titles the off-highway vehicle.

Note: Trade-in allowances don’t apply to private party sales.

Exempt sales or transfers of off-highway vehicles by private parties

Certain sales and transfers of off-highway vehicles between a business and its owners or related parties are exempt.

Change in the form of a business

Transfer of off-highway vehicles is exempt if a business changes its entity type and the ultimate ownership of the property is substantially the same.

The buyer must provide a completed pdf Form ST-133CATS – Sales Tax Exemption Certificate – Capital Asset Transfer Affidavit and Instructions, when registering or titling the off-highway vehicle.

Sale of an ongoing business (bulk sale)

Off-highway vehicles included in the sale are exempt if a business or its separate segment is sold and all of the following apply:

  • Substantially all the operating assets are included in the sale of the business or its separate segment.
  • The new owner will continue to operate the business in the same manner.
  • The existing business has the off-highway vehicles registered or titled in its name at the time of sale and then registered or titled in the new business’ name.

Note: The seller must have separate accounting records if it’s a sale of a separate segment.

The buyer must provide a completed pdf Form ST-133CATS – Sales Tax Exemption Certificate – Capital Asset Transfer Affidavit and Instructions, when registering or titling the off-highway vehicle.

Transfer of capital assets between related parties

Sometimes owners, partners, shareholders and stockholders in related-party businesses transfer title and ownership of off-highway vehicles.

A transfer of an off-highway vehicle between corporations that are related parties is exempt if both of the following are true:

  • The corporation transferring the off-highway vehicle has proof that tax was paid when the off-highway vehicle was acquired.
  • The two corporations exchange nothing of value other than an increase or decrease in equity (e.g., stock or securities).

For this exemption, “related-party” corporation means the transfer is between one of the following:

  • A corporation and its subsidiary, and the parent owns at least 80 percent of the subsidiary.
  • Two subsidiaries that share a common parent, and the parent owns at least 80 percent of both subsidiaries.

A transfer of an off-highway vehicle to a related-party business that isn’t a corporation is exempt from Idaho tax if both of the following are true:

  • The business transferring the off-highway vehicle has proof that tax was paid when the off-higway vehicle was acquired.
  • The parties exchange nothing of value other than an increase or decrease in equity (e.g., stock or securities).

Note: A sale or lease of an off-highway vehicle between related parties is taxable.

The business that owns the off-highway vehicle after the transfer must provide a completed pdf Form ST-133CATS – Sales Tax Exemption Certificate – Capital Asset Transfer Affidavit and Instructions, when registering or titling the off-highway vehicle.

Leasing Out or Renting Out Your Own Off-Highway Vehicle

Leasing or renting an off-highway vehicle is a taxable sale in Idaho. You’re renting out or leasing out your off-highway vehicle if you allow someone to use it and you receive payment (cash, property, or other financial gain). Whether you’re a business owner or an individual, you’re a retailer if you make one or more sales (including off-highway vehicles) or hold yourself out as being in business.

Retailers must:

  • Get a seller’s permit.
    See the Idaho Business Registration guide learn more.
  • Collect tax on the full amount you charge for the lease or rent.
  • Forward the tax with the sales tax return that you file with the Tax Commission.
    See the Retailers guide.

Responsibilities

You don’t need to collect tax when you list your off-highway vehicle with a marketplace facilitator and it collects and forwards the tax to the Tax Commission. This table shows tax responsibility in different vehicle leasing scenarios.

Scenarios: Leasing or renting an individual’s vehicle in IdahoWho’s responsible for collecting and forwarding tax due?
The vehicle is in Idaho and both of these apply:
  1. The vehicle owner leases or rents out the vehicle directly to the cutomer without using a marketplace facilitator;

  2. The customer reserves the vehicle and pays the owner directly.
The owner must register as a retailer to collect, report and forward taxes on the lease or rental price of the vehicle.
The vehicle is in Idaho and the owner uses a marketplace facilitator to arrange all leases or rentals of the vehicle.The marketplace facilitator must register as a retailer, collect, report and forward taxes on the sales price of the vehicle leases or rentals.
The vehicle is in Idaho and is:
  1. Sometimes leased or rented directly from the owner.

  2. Sometimes leased or rented through a marketplace facilitator that arranges leases or rentals of the vehicle.
The owner and the marketplace facilitator are responsible for taxes as follows:
  1. The owner must collect, report and forward tax on the sales price of leases or rentals they arrange.
  2. The marketplace facilitator must collect, report and forward taxes on the sales price of leases or rentals arranged through its platform.

You’re responsible for the collection and forwarding of all taxes due on your vehicle. If you rent out your vehicle through a marketplace facilitator, check to see which, if any, taxes it collects and forwards for you.

When you collect tax

The type of lease or rent determines when you collect tax. Off-highway vehicle leases and rents fall into three general categories:

Type of lease/rentalHow the lease/rental worksWhen to collect sales tax
Basic lease or rentalThe customer returns the motor vehicle to the lessor at the end of the lease or rental term.Collect sales tax on each lease or rental payment.
Lease or rent with option to buyThe customer has the option of buying the motor vehicle during the lease or rental term or at the end of the term at fair market value.Collect sales tax on each lease or rental payment and on the price the customer pays when buying the motor vehicle.
Lease/rent and purchaseThe customer makes regular payments during the lease or rental term. At the end of the term, title to the motor vehicle passes to the customer for $0 or an amount that’s less than fair market value.The customer will own the motor vehicle at the end of the lease or rental term, so this is a sale and a financing arrangement. Collect sales tax on the sales price of the vehicle at the beginning of the term, when the sale is made (the contract is completed).

Donating or Giving Away an Off-Highway Vehicle

Giving an off-highway vehicle to a person

Transferring ownership of an off-highway vehicle to another person or entity is generally subject to tax, but certain gifts are exempt. An off-highway vehicle qualifies as an exempt gift if all of the following apply:

  • You, as the giver, don’t receive services or anything of value for the off-highway vehicle.
  • Your relationship with the recipient supports the basis for a gift.
  • The recipient doesn’t assume any of your debts or liabilities.
  • Neither you nor the recipient owes money on the off-highway vehicle.

Notes

  • If you transfer an off-highway vehicle to someone else and allow them to “take over payments,” the recipient has assumed a debt. The transfer isn’t a gift, and the buyer owes tax on the value of the remaining payments.
  • You might be required to provide more information if you have a business relationship with the recipient.

When you give away an off-highway vehicle that qualifies as an exempt gift, give the recipient a completed pdf Form ST-133GT – Use Tax Exemption Certificate – Gift Transfer Affidavit, with your signature. The recipient also must sign the form.

Donating an off-highway vehicle

You must pay sales or use tax on the purchase of any off-highway vehicle, even if you intend to give it away.

  • You must pay sales or use tax if you buy an off-highway vehicle specifically to donate.
  • You don’t owe use tax if you donate an off-highway vehicle you already own and have paid tax on.

Donations like those in the examples above might be a gift if all of the following apply.

  • The recipient isn’t performing any services to get the donation.
  • The recipient isn’t giving you anything of value for the donation.
  • The recipient isn’t assuming any of your debts.

Note: You might be required to provide more information if you have a business relationship with the recipient.

When you give away an off-highway vehicle that qualifies as an exempt gift:

Receiving an off-highway vehicle as a gift or prize

You don’t owe use tax when you receive an off-highway vehicle that qualifies as a gift or is a prize.

You and the donor must complete and sign a pdf Form ST-133GT – Use Tax Exemption Certificate – Gift Transfer Affidavit.

  • Present the completed Form ST-133GT when you register the off-highway vehicle.
  • If the donor can’t sign the affidavit, you can do one of the following.
    • Provide a signed letter from the donor stating that the off-highway vehicle is a gift.
    • The donor can sign and mark the title as a gift.

Recordkeeping for Off-Highway Vehicles

Dealers and retailers that sell or lease off-highway vehicles

Your records for selling or leasing off-highway vehicles must be the same as any retailer.

Businesses that sell or transfer an off-highway vehicle to a related party

Document the sale or transfer. Your records should include all of the following:

Individuals that sell an off-highway vehicle

Document the sale. Your records should include all the following:

  • Date of sale
  • Identifying information about the off-highway vehicle (e.g., vehicle identification number)
  • Sales price of the off-highway vehicle
  • Copies of sale documents

Notes:

  • If you hold yourself out as a seller and make one or more sales of off-highway vehicles or anything else in a year, you’re a retailer. See Retailers.
  • If, in a calendar year, you sell five or more vehicles or vessels that require registration, you must apply for a dealer’s license. See Idaho Transportation Department “Vehicle Dealers.

Individuals that give away an off-highway vehicle

Document the gift. Your records should include all the following:

  • Date of gift
  • Identifying information about the off-highway vehicle (e.g., identification number)
  • Copies of transfer documents

You and the recipient must complete and sign a pdf Form ST-133GT – Use Tax Exemption Certificate – Gift Transfer Affidavit. The recipient needs the completed form when he or she registers or titles the off-highway vehicle.

Laws and Rules for Off-Highway Vehicles

Learn more about off-highway vehicles:

Learn more about Idaho tax statutes 

Learn more about our Rules 

Motor Vehicles – Private and Nondealer Basics Guide

Sales or use tax is due on the sale, lease, rental, transfer, donation or use of a motor vehicle in Idaho unless a valid exemption applies.

This guide is for individuals, leasing companies, nonprofit organizations, or any other type of business that isn’t a motor vehicle dealer registered in Idaho.

It explains sales and use tax requirements for those who buy or receive a motor vehicle from a private party or retailer that isn’t a dealer (e.g., a furniture store or pizza delivery restaurant). This guide also covers bringing a motor vehicle into Idaho for use here. It explains how sellers and donors must document a motor vehicle sale or gift. And it outlines how a buyer or seller must pay or collect and forward tax if it’s due.

Motor vehicle dealers are individuals or businesses that sell five or more motor vehicles in a 12-month period. See the separate Motor Vehicles – Dealers guide if you’re buying, leasing or renting a motor vehicle from a dealer, or if you’re a motor vehicle dealer.

Types of transactions included

This guide covers the following transactions in which an Idaho motor vehicle dealer isn’t involved in any way:

  • Buying, leasing, or renting from anyone who isn’t an Idaho motor vehicle dealer
  • Buying from family members
  • Buying from financial institutions
  • Bartering goods or services for a motor vehicle
  • Bringing a motor vehicle into Idaho that you bought in another state
  • Giving or receiving ownership of a motor vehicle as a gift or prize
  • Selling or transferring ownership between businesses or related parties in a business
  • Leasing motor vehicles as nondealer individuals or businesses

Motor vehicle defined

A motor vehicle is a vehicle registered or required to be registered for use on public roads. See Idaho Code section 63-3605L.

Motor vehicles include

  • Cars
  • Buses
  • Trucks
  • On-highway motorcycles
  • Recreational vehicles required to be registered for use on public roads, such as
    • Motor homes
    • Fold-down camping trailers
    • Fifth-wheel trailers
    • Travel trailers
    • Park model recreational vehicles (new and used)

Motor vehicles don’t include

Sales Price – Motor Vehicles – Private and Nondealer

You must pay sales or use tax on the sales price of the motor vehicle unless you have an exemption.

The sales price is the amount you paid for the motor vehicle. You must provide a bill of sale or receipt as proof of the sales price when titling your motor vehicle in Idaho. A canceled check won’t be accepted as proof of the sales price.

The sales price includes services the seller performs before the sale even if they’re separately stated on the invoice:

Note: Delivery fees to the buyer aren’t part of the sales price if they’re separately stated.

Types of Sales – Motor Vehicles – Private and Nondealer

Buying from Idaho retailers that aren’t motor vehicle dealers

Motor vehicle dealers sell or lease five or more motor vehicles in a calendar year. See Motor Vehicles – Dealers if you’re buying from a dealer.

Some Idaho retailers occasionally sell motor vehicles even if they’re not a dealer. Retailers include businesses or individuals that meet one of the following criteria:

  • They make more than two retail sales during any 12-month period.
  • They make one or more sales (including motor vehicles) and hold themselves out as being in business.

You must do all of the following when you buy a new or used motor vehicle from a retailer that’s not also a dealer.

  • Pay the Idaho retailer tax on the sales price of the motor vehicle. The retailer will forward the tax to the Tax Commission.
  • Make sure the retailer gives you a completed title to the motor vehicle and a detailed bill of sale* showing you paid tax.
  • Make sure the retailer writes its seller’s permit number on the title.
  • Provide proof you paid tax to the retailer when you register the motor vehicle.

* A “detailed bill of sale” must include date of sale, name and address of the seller, complete vehicle description (i.e., color, year, make, model), vehicle identification number (VIN), buyer’s name, sale amount, and amount of tax charged.

Idaho retailers must have a seller’s permit and must collect sales tax. To find out if you’re a retailer, read more about retailers.

Trade-ins

  • Trade-ins only apply when you buy a motor vehicle from a retailer (or dealer). A trade-in is the amount that a retailer allows on merchandise it accepts as payment for other merchandise. A retailer can accept merchandise as full or partial payment of a motor vehicle you buy only if the merchandise is something they’ll place in their inventory for resale.
  • The value of your qualifying trade item can reduce the taxable sales price.
  • The trade-in must take place at the same time as the sale, or the allowance doesn’t reduce the taxable price.
  • Your paperwork must show that the trade-in occurred at the same time as the sale.
  • Manufactured homes and park model recreational vehicles aren’t allowed as trade-ins.

Buying from individuals

  • The motor vehicle must first be titled in the seller’s name for the sale to take place.
  • The seller must enter the total sales price on the bill of sale and sign the title.
  • The bill of sale establishes the sales price, and it’s proof of how much you paid for the motor vehicle.
  • Both you and the seller must sign the bill of sale. You’ll need to show an original bill of sale as proof of sales price.
  • The county assessor (DMV) or the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will collect sales tax when you apply for an Idaho title.

Note: There are no trade-in allowances in private party sales.

Buying a motor vehicle from a family member

You can buy a motor vehicle from a family member without paying sales tax only if that family member is your:

  • Parent or child
  • Grandparent or grandchild
  • Brother or sister

and

  • The family member paid sales or use tax when buying the motor vehicle.

You must provide a completed pdf Form ST-133 – Sales Tax Exemption Certificate – Family or American Indian Sales, when you register the motor vehicle.

Buying from financial institutions

Financial institutions permitted in Idaho must collect sales tax on the sales price of a motor vehicle you buy or finance, if the seller didn’t collect the tax. See Sales Price. The financial institution must forward the tax to the Tax Commission under its permit number. If you lease a motor vehicle from a financial institution, see the vehicle leasing section that explains when tax is due on a lease.

Bartering goods or services

The recipient of a motor vehicle in a barter transaction owes sales or use tax on the full value of the motor vehicle.

  • You must have a bill of sale that states the value of goods and services bartered to get the motor vehicle. You need this to register the motor vehicle.
  • When people barter two or more motor vehicles, each vehicle must have its own bill of sale that states the value of goods or services bartered to get the motor vehicle.

Bringing a motor vehicle into Idaho

Individuals

You might need to pay use tax on a motor vehicle that you bought outside of Idaho but intend to use inside the state.

When tax is due

  • You’re an Idaho resident and buy a motor vehicle out of state: Idaho presumes you bought the vehicle for use in Idaho.
    • Make sure you ask about sales tax exemptions for out-of-state buyers when you buy a motor vehicle in another state. You must use the exemption if the state where you buy the motor vehicle has one and you qualify for it. Otherwise, you’ll pay tax you don’t properly owe in the other state, and you’ll still owe use tax in Idaho.
    • The tax you properly pay to the other state can offset tax you owe in Idaho. This applies if you paid sales tax in the other state because you didn’t qualify for an exemption there. You must have the receipt that shows you paid sales tax due to the other state.
  • You owned a motor vehicle for less than 90 days before moving to Idaho. Idaho presumes you bought the vehicle for use in Idaho.
  • You’re military personnel, temporarily stationed in Idaho, and purchase a motor vehicle. (See exceptions in “When Tax Isn’t Due,” directly below.)

When tax isn’t due

  • You’re a new Idaho resident and you owned or acquired the motor vehicle more than 90 days before moving to the state.
  • You’re an active member of the military who either:
    • Owned or acquired the vehicle before you received orders to transfer to Idaho
    • Owned or acquired the vehicle for three months before moving to Idaho
      Note: The shorter time period applies.

You must provide a completed pdf Use Tax Exemption Certificate – New Resident or Nonresident Military, when you register the motor vehicle in Idaho.

Businesses

As a business owner, you owe tax on motor vehicles you move into Idaho if you didn’t pay sales tax on them in another state at a rate equal to Idaho’s or greater. This is true even if you owned the motor vehicles longer than three months. You owe tax on the fair market value of the motor vehicle when you first use it in Idaho. Note: Tax you properly paid to another state can offset the tax you owe in Idaho. Special rules apply to transient equipment (see Rule 073).

Donating or giving a motor vehicle, or receiving one, as a gift or prize

Giving a motor vehicle to a person

Transferring ownership of a motor vehicle to another person or entity is generally subject to tax, but certain gifts are exempt. A motor vehicle qualifies as an exempt gift if all of the following apply:

  • You, as the giver, don’t receive services or anything of value for the motor vehicle.
  • Your relationship with the recipient supports the basis for a gift.
  • The recipient doesn’t assume any of your debts or liabilities.
  • Neither you nor the recipient owe money on the motor vehicle.

Note:

  • If you transfer a car to someone else and allow them to “take over payments,” the recipient has assumed a debt. The transfer isn’t a gift.
  • You might be required to provide more information if you have a business relationship with the recipient.

When you give away a motor vehicle that qualifies as an exempt gift, give the recipient a completed pdf Form ST-133GT – Use Tax Exemption Certificate – Gift Transfer Affidavit, with your signature. The recipient must also sign the form.

Donating a motor vehicle

You must pay sales or use tax on the purchase of any motor vehicle, even if you intend to give it as an exempt gift.

  • You must pay sales or use tax if you buy a motor vehicle specifically to donate.
  • You don’t owe use tax if you donate a motor vehicle you already own and have paid tax on.

Donations like those in the examples above might be a gift if all of the following apply.

  • The recipient isn’t performing any services to get the donation.
  • The recipient isn’t giving you anything of value for the donation.
  • The recipient isn’t assuming any of your debts.

Note: You might be required to provide more information if you have a business relationship with the recipient.

When you give away a motor vehicle that qualifies as an exempt gift:

Receiving a motor vehicle as a gift or prize

You don’t owe use tax when you receive a motor vehicle that qualifies as a gift or is a prize.

You and the donor must complete and sign a pdf Form ST-133GT – Use Tax Exemption Certificate – Gift Transfer Affidavit.

  • Present the completed Form ST-133GT when you register the motor vehicle.
  • If the donor can’t sign the affidavit, you can do one of the following.
    • Provide a signed letter from the donor stating that the motor vehicle is a gift.
    • The donor can sign and mark the title as a gift.

Prize winnings are subject to income tax even if they qualify for a use tax exemption.