Illinois Bill of Sale

What Illinois requires for a vehicle sale

• When you buy a vehicle from a private party, you file Form RUT-50 (Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction Return) with the Department of Revenue.
• The return is due no later than 30 days after the purchase date.
• You are not required to attach a bill of sale, but attaching a copy of the bill of sale or proof of purchase may prevent future notices from the Department.
• Form RUT-49 (Vehicle Transaction Affidavit) can verify or add information not reported on RUT-50, and it can be used in place of a bill of sale.
• File electronically through MyTax Illinois and pay electronically when you submit. Print the RUT-50 created during filing, because the Secretary of State cannot process your title and plates without it.
• Tax is paid to the Department of Revenue and title fees are paid separately to the Secretary of State.
• Trailers and mobile homes bought from a private party are not subject to this tax and need no tax form for titling.

Illinois bill of sale: what to include

Whatever Illinois requires, a signed bill of sale protects both sides. It proves the price, the date and that the car was sold as-is. Include:

• Seller's and buyer's full names and addresses
• Year, make, model, color and VIN
• Odometer reading on the day of sale
• Sale price and date of sale
• As-is wording, plus a statement that the seller owns the vehicle and any lien is paid off
• Signatures and dates for both parties

Sample as-is wording

I, the seller, sell the vehicle described above to the buyer for the price shown, as-is, with no warranty, express or implied. The seller confirms they are the owner and that the odometer reading is correct to the best of their knowledge. This sale is made under the laws of Illinois.

Seller checklist (Illinois)

• Fill in a signed bill of sale with the price, date, VIN and odometer reading.
• Sign the title as the seller and give it to the buyer.
• Check the Illinois Secretary of State website for the seller's report of sale and plate rules, which we could not read for this page.

Buyer checklist (Illinois)

• Get the signed title and a signed bill of sale.
• File Form RUT-50 through MyTax Illinois within 30 days of the purchase date and pay the tax.
• Print the RUT-50 and take it with you to the Secretary of State for title and plates.
• Attach a copy of your bill of sale or proof of purchase to avoid later notices.

Things to watch in Illinois

• The Secretary of State's website (ilsos.gov and cyberdriveillinois.com) does not allow automated reading, so this page does not cover title, plate, notarization or seller-notice rules. Check with the Secretary of State.
• If you moved to Illinois with a vehicle titled elsewhere for more than three months, no Illinois tax is due, but you must still file RUT-50 to report it.

About this page

We checked this page against the Illinois Department of Revenue sources listed below in November 2026. Where an agency page did not say something, we say so and suggest you check with the agency. Rules, forms and fees change, so confirm with Illinois Department of Revenue before you sign. This is general information, not legal advice.