Effective Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, all private vehicle title transfers will require a written bill of sale. Carroll County Treasurer, Jean Seidl, wants all residents to be aware of this new regulation. She says the goal is for the Iowa State County Treasurer’s Association (ISCTA) and the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDOR) to substantiate the purchase price of every vehicle transferred in Iowa. This has a direct impact on the fees that are collected by her office and remitted to the State of Iowa for the Road Use Tax fund. A bill of sale or purchase agreement has already been required for vehicle purchases through dealerships or those with an out-of-state title. The ISCTA Executive Board has encouraged all 99 counties to adopt this policy in advance of an administrative mandate. Many counties already require this pursuant to section 321.13 of the Iowa Code. Carroll County has elected to join in this policy as of the first. The bill of sale should include the seller’s name, year and make of vehicle, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the buyers name, date of sale, purchase price and the signatures of both the buyer and the seller. The buyer will then submit a copy to the county treasurer along with any other necessary documentation. Seidl recommends the seller retain a copy for their records. A form is also available at the Carroll County Treasurer’s Office, but any that includes the required information will be accepted. Anyone with questions can contact the office at 792-1200.
