Vehicle Taxability - Casual Sales     

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What is a casual sale?

“Casual sale” is a sale of tangible personal property by a person not engaged in the business of selling such tangible personal property.  While most casual sales are exempt from sales tax under R.C. 5739.02(B)(8), that provision specifically excludes the transfer of a motor vehicle from the definition of casual sale.  As a result, a motor vehicle purchased in a casual sale is subject to sales or use tax, and the tax must be paid to the clerk of courts at the time of title transfer.

The definition of “casual sale” is found in R.C. 5739.01(L).

The definition of “price” is found in R.C. 5739.01(H)(1)(a).

Below are examples of the most common taxable casual sales:

1.) Cash

John purchased a car from a motor vehicle dealer in 2011.  He paid all applicable sales tax at the time of purchase.  In 2013, John sold the car to Sue for $10,000.00.  When Sue transfers the title from John’s name into hers, she must pay sales tax on the $10,000.00 price to the clerk of court's title office. 

2.) Trade

Tim and Scott have agreed to trade their vehicles.  No money will be exchanged because they feel this is an even trade.  When Tim and Scott transfer the titles into their names, they must pay sales tax on the fair market value of the traded vehicle to the clerk of court's title office. 

3.) Bartering

Steve is building custom cabinets for his friend Rick.  Rick has agreed to give Steve his vehicle in exchange for the cabinets instead of paying him in cash.  After the cabinets have been installed, Steve will receive title to the vehicle.  When Steve goes to the clerk of court's title office, he must pay sales tax on the fair market value of the services he provided to his friend Rick.

4.) Loan Assumption

Betty has a loan on her SUV. She has decided to sell her vehicle to Jeff.  Betty and Jeff go to her finance company and have the loan refinanced in his name. No money changes hands and Betty is not making a profit from the sale. When Jeff goes to the clerk of court's title office, he must pay sales tax on the balance of the loan he assumed.

 

Frequently Asked Questions Tool

The Ohio Department of Taxation has compiled a list of frequently asked questions covering many different categories.

To view the questions, click on the "Select Category" bar and then click on  the category you are interested in.  A list of questions will appear pertaining to that category. Then click on the question you are inquiring about and the answer will appear.

  

How is tax paid on golf carts?

Generally, golf carts cannot be used on public highways and are not titled as motor vehicles. However, a municipality may pass an ordinance that allows the use of golf carts on public streets. A chief of police or county sheriff may designate certain public highways under their jurisdiction as eligible for golf cart use. If so, the chief of police or county sheriff sends notification to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and the BMV would provide a letter of authority to the clerk of courts with jurisdiction over the affected area. 

In such cases, the owner of a golf cart that is not currently used on public highways may want to obtain a title. The clerk of courts may issue the title without payment of the sales tax if the owner of the golf cart provides proof of tax paid at the time of the initial purchase.

Golf cart dealers are not required to have a dealer permit from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.  Such dealers must collect the tax and remit it to the state on their Ohio sales tax return, unless the purchaser has a statutory basis for claiming exception or exemption. If a title is requested, the clerk of courts may allow credit for the tax paid to the dealer, and collect the difference due, if any.

How is tax paid on golf carts?

Generally, golf carts cannot be used on public highways and are not titled as motor vehicles. However, a municipality may pass an ordinance that allows the use of golf carts on public streets. A chief of police or county sheriff may designate certain public highways under their jurisdiction as eligible for golf cart use. If so, the chief of police or county sheriff sends notification to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and the BMV would provide a letter of authority to the clerk of courts with jurisdiction over the affected area. 

In such cases, the owner of a golf cart that is not currently used on public highways may want to obtain a title. The clerk of courts may issue the title without payment of the sales tax if the owner of the golf cart provides proof of tax paid at the time of the initial purchase.

Golf cart dealers are not required to have a dealer permit from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.  Such dealers must collect the tax and remit it to the state on their Ohio sales tax return, unless the purchaser has a statutory basis for claiming exception or exemption. If a title is requested, the clerk of courts may allow credit for the tax paid to the dealer, and collect the difference due, if any.

How is tax paid on golf carts?

Generally, golf carts cannot be used on public highways and are not titled as motor vehicles. However, a municipality may pass an ordinance that allows the use of golf carts on public streets. A chief of police or county sheriff may designate certain public highways under their jurisdiction as eligible for golf cart use. If so, the chief of police or county sheriff sends notification to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and the BMV would provide a letter of authority to the clerk of courts with jurisdiction over the affected area. 

In such cases, the owner of a golf cart that is not currently used on public highways may want to obtain a title. The clerk of courts may issue the title without payment of the sales tax if the owner of the golf cart provides proof of tax paid at the time of the initial purchase.

Golf cart dealers are not required to have a dealer permit from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.  Such dealers must collect the tax and remit it to the state on their Ohio sales tax return, unless the purchaser has a statutory basis for claiming exception or exemption. If a title is requested, the clerk of courts may allow credit for the tax paid to the dealer, and collect the difference due, if any.
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