Get your used vehicle appraised for tax purposes during a private sale when the fair value is higher than the purchase price
Get your used vehicle appraised during a private sale if you don’t agree with the Canadian Red Book average wholesale value. An appraisal record establishes the fair value of the vehicle for tax purposes. The appraisal record may be used instead of the red book value when registering a privately purchased vehicle at the time of registration.
Use the Motor Vehicle Appraisal Record Form to establish the fair value of a used vehicle for tax purposes during a private sale.
When you buy a used vehicle through a private sale, you need to pay Nova Scotia Sales Tax (NSST). You pay the tax on the greater of the purchase price or the Canadian Red Book value of the vehicle. If you don’t want to use the Red Book value, you can get the vehicle appraised and pay tax on the greater of the purchase price or appraised value.
You can only challenge the Red Book value with an appraiser’s valuation when you register your vehicle and the appraiser’s valuation is within 2 months of buying or registering the vehicle.
Appraisers can be car dealers or recognized appraisers registered by the Provincial Tax Commission.
Who can use this form
You can use this form if you’re registering a used vehicle you just bought in a private sale. You need to get the appraisal done within 2 months of buying or registering the vehicle.
What you need to do
- Get a car dealer or registered appraiser to complete the form.
- Bring the form to Access Nova Scotia when you register your vehicle.
- Registry of Motor Vehicles collects the tax during the registration process.
Cost
There is no cost to submit the form.
Before you start
Make sure you have a car dealer or registered appraiser complete the form.
Appraisers need to be registered as a used vehicle appraiser with an appraiser registration number or as a dealer with a Registry of Motor Vehicles dealer number and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number to complete the form.