Do I pay sales tax when a family member gives or sells me a car in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Title & Registration · Barron, WI
Do I pay sales tax when a family member gives or sells me a car in Wisconsin?
Reviewed by Cory Gunderson, Internet Sales & Finance Manager · Last checked October 27, 2026
Short answer
Often not. Wisconsin's tax rule exempts an occasional sale of a vehicle to a spouse, parent, child, stepparent, stepchild or parent-, son- or daughter-in-law, if it was titled or registered in Wisconsin in the seller's name and the seller isn't in the vehicle business. The title transfer fee still applies.
The details
Family transfers come up a lot: a parent hands down a truck, or a vehicle passes through an estate. Here's how the official rules line up:
- Sales tax: Tax 11.83(8) lists the qualifying relatives. WisDOT notes the exemption needs a current Wisconsin title. It doesn't work with an out-of-state title.
- Surviving spouse or domestic partner: WisDOT lists no title fee for a transfer to a surviving spouse or registered domestic partner. Use form MV2300.
- Other heirs: if the person who died left solely owned property not over $50,000, an heir can transfer the vehicle with form MV2300. WisDOT's $214.50 title transfer fee applies. Source: WisDOT, referenced Oct 28, 2026. Fees may change; check the source for current amounts.
Grandparents, siblings and aunts or uncles aren't on the Tax 11.83(8) list, so check with the Department of Revenue before you assume the exemption applies.
Questions? Talk to a real person in Barron.
Call or message us and we'll give you a straight answer, or point you to the right office if it's not ours to answer.
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3 brands. 2 rooftops. 1 Swant Graber.
Chevrolet, Dodge, Ram, and Ford on one Highway 8 campus in Barron, with Swant Graber roots here since 1959. Swant Graber Motors and Swant Graber Ford sit directly across Highway 8 from each other.
Swant Graber Motors
Chevrolet · Dodge · Ram
1690 E Division Ave (Highway 8)Barron, WI 54812
Phone
715-537-5657Sales: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. · Service: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Swant Graber Ford
Ford · across Highway 8
1697 E Division Ave (Highway 8)Barron, WI 54812
Phone
715-537-9500Sales: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. · Service: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Questions
Is a gift from my grandparents tax-free in Wisconsin?
Grandparents aren't on the family list in Tax 11.83(8). Check with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for your situation.
What form transfers a vehicle to an heir in Wisconsin?
WisDOT uses form MV2300, Statement of Transfer of Vehicles to or by a Surviving Family Member, Domestic Partner, or Heir.
Does the family exemption work with an out-of-state title?
No. WisDOT says the exemption generally needs a current Wisconsin title.
Questions? Talk to a real person
Call or stop in at either store on Highway 8 in Barron. We are happy to help, even if you are not buying today.
Swant Graber Motors (Chevrolet, Ram, Dodge)
1690 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812
715-537-5657
Swant Graber Ford
1697 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812
715-537-9500
Sources
- Wis. Admin. Code Tax 11.83(8): Occasional sales to family members: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
- WisDOT: eMV Public FAQs, purchase price information: wisconsindot.gov
- WisDOT: Transfer a vehicle to an heir: wisconsindot.gov
- WisDOT: Transfer a vehicle to a surviving spouse/domestic partner: wisconsindot.gov
- WisDOT: Vehicle title fees: wisconsindot.gov