Ohio Registration & Titling Service Fee Itemization Guide for Dealers
Quick Answer
How should Ohio dealerships itemize the Registration & Titling Service Fee to stay compliant?
The fee must appear as a separate line item, use a clear dealer-service label, never be bundled with government charges, be applied only when qualifying services are performed, and be supported by documentation. Inconsistent labels, bundling, or missing records are common audit triggers under the Ohio Registration & Titling Service Fee rule.
March 1, 2026 Created Opportunity — and Audit Risk
Starting March 1, 2026, Ohio dealerships may charge up to $50 per transaction for qualifying dealer-performed registration services or dealer-paid electronic titling. But the compliance risk is not the amount — it is how the fee is shown and supported.
Most audit issues do not come from charging the fee. They come from:
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inconsistent naming
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bundling with state fees
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outdated deal templates
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missing documentation
This is why itemization is now an operational control issue, not just an accounting detail.
Itemization Is Where Most Compliance Problems Happen
Auditors look for patterns across deals. Problems start when:
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fee names vary
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one store labels differently than another
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the fee is bundled with title or registration
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staff use legacy wording
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there is no documentation trail
Variation signals lack of control. Proper itemization + documentation shows the dealership performed qualifying services and complied with the rule.
For a full breakdown of actions that violate the rule, see the guide on prohibited practices.
What the Fee Must Look Like on the Deal
On the Buyer’s Order or retail contract, the fee should:
• Appear as its own line item
• Use one consistent label
• Be clearly separate from government charges
Clear presentation prevents the charge from appearing to be a state fee.
What Cannot Be Combined With This Fee
The Registration & Titling Service Fee must never be bundled with:
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Ohio title fee
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Registration fee
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Plate or tag fees
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BMV service charges
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Documentary fees
Bundling removes transparency and creates compliance risk. The compliance checklist covers this in step-by-step format.
Labeling Rules: What to Call It (and What Not To)
Labels must indicate a dealer service.
Acceptable examples:
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Registration & Titling Service Fee
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Dealer Registration Service Fee
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Electronic Titling Service Fee
Risky labels:
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Title Fee
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Registration Fee
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State Processing
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BMV Title Service
Clear, consistent wording shows operational control.
Documentation Dealers Must Maintain
Itemization must be supported by records, including:
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Electronic submission confirmations
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Registration workflow records
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Internal checklists
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System logs
If the dealership cannot show what service was performed, the fee may be difficult to defend.
To understand when the fee can legally be charged, review when dealers can charge the titling service fee.
Where Most Audit Problems Come From
Small variations across deals become patterns:
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One manager uses “Title Service”
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Another uses “Processing Fee”
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Some deals show the fee separately
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Others bundle it
Across a group, this signals inconsistency. Standardization prevents this.
Why This Is an Operational Issue — Not a Pricing Issue
This rule supports compliant workflows. It is not meant to be loosely applied.
Dealerships that stay compliant:
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use one approved label
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apply one eligibility process
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maintain documentation
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train staff consistently
Operational discipline makes the fee defensible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the fee taxable?
Yes, it is a dealer service.
Can it be financed?
Yes, when properly disclosed.
When should the fee not be charged?
When no qualifying service is performed.
Can multiple fees be charged per vehicle?
No, only one per transaction.
Final Thought for Dealership Operators
The rule rewards structured workflows, not inconsistent practices. Proper itemization and documentation protect against audits and disputes.
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