Selling a car is not only about finding a buyer and agreeing on a price, but also about drawing up documents, without which the transaction will not be considered legal. One of the key points here is state duty, which the seller (or the buyer, depending on the type of transaction) must pay. In 2026, the rules remain the same, but tariffs and payment nuances often raise questions. How much exactly will you have to pay? Where to contact? Is it possible to save on state duty or avoid paying it?
In this article we will look at all current tariffs for the state duty when selling a car, we will explain who pays it - the seller or the buyer, and also give step-by-step instructions for paying through Public services, bank or MFC. Let us dwell separately on Features of selling used cars, shared ownership and legal entities, where the fee and procedure may vary. If you are planning to sell your car in the near future, bookmark this article so as not to miss important details.
What is state duty when selling a car and why is it needed?
State duty is a mandatory payment to the budget, which is charged for carrying out legally significant actions. In the case of selling a car, we are talking about deregistering a car (if the seller wants to do this) or re-registration to a new owner. Without paying the fee, the traffic police will not accept the documents, and the transaction will remain unformed.
It is important to understand that the state duty when selling a car is not a tax on income (as, for example, Personal income tax when selling a car for more than 250 thousand rubles), and a fee for state services. Its size is fixed and does not depend on the cost of the car. However, there are nuances:
- 🔹 For individuals — tariffs are lower than for organizations.
- 🔹 When selling through a notary — Notary services are paid additionally.
- 🔹 If the car is pledged — the bank’s consent and additional payments will be required.
From 2026, the rule applies: if the seller does not deregister the car (for example, when selling by proxy), then the buyer pays the state duty upon registration. But this option is fraught with risks for the seller - if the new owner does not re-register the car, fines and taxes will come to your name.
The amount of state duty when selling a car in 2026
The current state duty rates are set out in Article 333.33 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation. They depend on the type of operation and payer status. Below is a table with the fees for the most common cases:
| Operation type | For individuals (₽) | For legal entities (₽) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deregistration of a car (at the request of the seller) | 350 | 800 | If the car is sold without deregistration, the buyer pays the duty |
| Making changes to the PTS (upon sale) | 350 | 800 | Paid if there are no free lines in the PTS |
| Issuance of a new PTS (if lost or filled out) | 800 | 1 600 | If the PTS is full or lost |
| Notarization of the purchase and sale agreement | 0.5% of the transaction amount (min. 300 ₽, max. 20,000 ₽) | 0.5% (min. 1,000 ₽, max. 50,000 ₽) | Mandatory only for shared ownership or at the request of the parties |
For example, if you sell a car as an individual and decide to deregister it, you will pay 350 rubles. If the PTS is full and a new one is required, then you will have to pay additionally 800 rubles. For legal entities, the amounts are higher - this is due to the increased burden on government agencies when processing documents.
⚠️ Attention! If you are selling a car at general power of attorney (without re-registration), there is no need to pay state duty. However, this method of transaction is extremely risky: the new owner may not re-register the car, and all fines, taxes, as well as liability for an accident will remain with you.
If you sell a car for less than 250 thousand rubles, you are exempt from paying personal income tax (13%). But if the price is higher, you will have to file a 3-NDFL declaration and pay tax on the difference between the sale and purchase prices (if you have supporting documents).
Who pays the state duty: the seller or the buyer?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. The answer depends on how the deal is completed:
- 🔸 The seller deregisters the car - he pays (350 ₽ for individuals).
- 🔸 The buyer registers the car - he pays (500 ₽ for registration + 350 ₽ for entering into the PTS).
- 🔸 Sale without deregistration — the buyer pays the fee upon re-registration.
- 🔸 Selling through a notary — the parties agree on who pays for notary services (usually divided in half).
In practice, the most often used option is when the seller does not deregister the car, and the buyer independently re-registers it in his name. This is convenient, but fraught with risks for the seller: if the buyer does not re-register the car within 10 days, you may be fined 1,500–2,000 rubles (under Article 19.22 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
To avoid problems, it is better to:
- Deregister a car before sale (paying 350 ₽).
- Or enter into an agreement with the condition that the buyer provides a copy of the new STS within 3 days.
The safest option for the seller is to deregister the car BEFORE transferring the money. This will eliminate the risk of fines and taxes, even if the buyer does not re-register the car.
How to pay the state fee: step-by-step instructions
There are several ways to pay the state fee. Let's consider the most convenient one - through Public services, where it operates 30% discount (relevant for individuals).
Log in to the portal|Select the service "Vehicle Registration" → "Deregistration"|Fill in the vehicle data (VIN, license plate number)|Get a receipt with a discount|Pay by credit card, Mobile Banking or electronic money-->
Detailed instructions:
- Step 1. Go to Public services and log in.
- Step 2. In the search, enter "Deregistration of a vehicle» and select a service.
- Step 3. Please provide details:
- 📌
VINor body/chassis number; - 📌 State number;
- 📌 PTS data.
- 📌
Alternative payment methods:
- 🏦 Via bank — in the branch or online (without discount).
- 🏛️ At the MFC — the operator will help you fill out the receipt.
- 💳 Terminal at the traffic police department — you can pay on the spot, but there are often queues.
⚠️ Attention! If you have paid the state fee, but do not have time to submit documents to the traffic police, the money won't burn. The receipt is valid indefinitely, but if tariffs change, additional payment may be required.
Documents for payment and deregistration of the car
To pay the state duty and deregister the car, prepare the following package of documents:
- 📄 Owner's passport (original + copy).
- 📄 PTS (vehicle passport).
- 📄 STS (certificate of registration).
- 📄 Sales and purchase agreement (3 copies: for the seller, the buyer and the traffic police).
- 📄 Receipt for payment of state duty (if you paid not through State Services).
- 📄 Application for deregistration (filled out on site or through State Services).
If the car is in shared ownership, you will additionally need:
- 🔐 Notarized consent second owner.
- 🔐 Power of attorney (if one of the owners acts on behalf of the other).
For legal entities the list is expanded:
- 🏢 Company registration certificate (OGRN).
- 🏢 Extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (not older than 30 days).
- 🏢 Power of attorney for a representative (if the documents are not submitted by the director).
What to do if you lost your PTS?
If the original PTS is lost, you need to get a duplicate. To do this:
1. Write a statement to the traffic police about the loss.
2. Pay the state fee of 800 ₽ (for individuals).
3. Provide your passport, vehicle registration certificate and purchase and sale agreement (if the car has already been sold).
4. Receive a new PTS marked “Duplicate”.
Payment and registration deadlines: what happens if you delay
After selling the car, the buyer has 10 daysto register the car. If he does not do this, the seller faces a fine from 1,500 to 2,000 rubles (under Article 19.22 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). To avoid problems, monitor the status of the machine through the service checking the car history on the traffic police website.
If you deregistered the car, then there are no deadlines for the buyer - he can register the car at any time. However in this case:
- 🚗 The car will be listed as "wanted» before re-registration.
- 🚗 The buyer will not be able to drive it without fines (500–800 rubles for lack of registration).
The optimal algorithm for the seller is:
- Conclude a purchase and sale agreement.
- Deregister the car (paying 350 ₽).
- Transfer money and documents to the buyer.
- After 3-5 days, check to see if the car is registered with you.
⚠️ Attention! If the buyer has not re-registered the car, and you have already deregistered it, it will be extremely difficult to return the car to your possession. In such cases, you will have to go to court or write a statement to the police about fraud.
Special cases: shared ownership, pledge, inheritance
Not all transactions follow a standard pattern. Let's consider the nuances for complex cases:
| Situation | Nuances of state duties | Additional documents |
|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | Notarization of the contract (0.5% of the amount, min. 300 ₽) | Consent of the second owner, power of attorney (if necessary) |
| Car pledged to the bank | The state fee is standard, but the bank’s consent is required (may charge a commission) | Pledge ticket, certificate from the bank confirming the absence of debt |
| Sale by inheritance | State fee for re-registration (500 ₽ for the heir) | Certificate of inheritance, car valuation for a notary |
| Sale by legal entity | Increased tariffs (800 ₽ for deregistration, 1,600 ₽ for a new vehicle) | Power of attorney for a representative, extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities |
For example, if the car is shared ownership, then you can’t do without a notary. The cost of his services will depend on the price of the car. When selling a car received through inheritance, you first need to register ownership with a notary (this is a separate state duty - 0.3–0.6% of the cost of the car), and only then sell it.
If the car is in pledge, then you cannot sell it without the bank’s consent. Moreover, some credit institutions require pay off the loan before the sale or transfer the mortgage to the new owner. In this case, the state fee remains standard, but bank fees may be added (for example, for issuing a certificate of no debt).
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes when selling a car. Here are the most common:
- ❌ They don't check the buyer - Fraudsters may falsify documents or fail to re-register the car. Solution: Request a passport and check it through Ministry of Internal Affairs service.
- ❌ The car is not deregistered — the risk of remaining “guilty” in an accident or receiving fines. Solution: deregister before transferring money.
- ❌ Pay state duty without discount — there is a 30% discount on State Services. Solution: Always pay online.
- ❌ Sign a blank contract - scammers can enter a different amount. Solution: Please fill out all fields in advance.
Another common mistake is incorrect filling of PTS. If you make a blot or mistake when entering the buyer’s data, the document will have to be redone, and this will be an additional expense (800 ₽ for a new vehicle title). To avoid problems:
- 🖋️ Write with a ballpoint pen (gel or pencil are not allowed).
- 🖋️ Check the name and passport details of the buyer twice.
- 🖋️ Do not use abbreviations (for example, “g.” instead of “city”).
If you are selling a used car, be sure to draw up a transfer and acceptance certificate. In it, indicate the condition of the car, mileage, equipment and presence of defects. This will protect against buyer claims after the transaction.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay state duty if the car is sold by proxy?
No if the car is for sale without deregistration and re-registration to the buyer. However, this method is extremely risky: you remain the owner on paper, and all fines/taxes will come to your name. We recommend completing the transaction through a purchase and sale agreement and deregistering the car.
Is it possible to return the state duty if the deal falls through?
Yes, but only if you did not submit documents to the traffic police. To receive a refund, write an application to the tax office indicating the account details where to return the money. If documents have already been submitted, the fee is not refunded.
How much is the state duty when selling a car by a legal entity?
For organizations the rates are higher:
- 📌 Deregistration - 800 ₽ (instead of 350 ₽ for individuals).
- 📌 New PTS - 1 600 ₽ (instead of 800 ₽).
Additionally, a notary fee may be required (if the transaction involves shared ownership).
Is it possible to sell a car without paying state duty?
Technically yes, if:
- 🔹 You sell cars by general power of attorney (but it's dangerous).
- 🔹 The buyer pays the duty upon registration.
However, the state duty cannot be completely avoided - either the seller (upon deregistration) or the buyer (upon registration) must pay it.
What to do if the buyer does not re-register the car?
If more than 10 days have passed and the car is still with you:
- Write an application to the traffic police to terminate registration (possible through State Services).
- If the buyer refuses to re-register the car, contact the court or the police (under Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Fraud”).
To avoid this situation, it is better to deregister the car. before transferring money.