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 MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION

LEGAL CITATION:

M.C.L. 257.801-257.810; 1949 PA 300; Sec. 9, Art. IX, state Constitution.

YEAR ADOPTED: 1905

BASIS OF TAX: In lieu of general property and other taxes.

MEASURE OF TAX (BASE): Weight of vehicle - or the type or sales price of vehicle. Elected gross vehicle weight (the empty weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles plus the weight of the maximum load the owner has elected to carry) for large trucks.

RATE: 1. Personal passenger vehicles purchased new, or vehicles of the 1984 model year or later which are subsequently resold as used, are assessed on the following schedule:

Base List Price Tax in 1st Year of Ownership
Up to $6,000 $30
$6,001 to $7,000 $33
$7,001 to $30,000 $33, plus $5 for each $1,000 above $7,000 base list price.
More than $30,000 0.5% of base list price.

The above rates are adjusted annually in accordance with increase in state personal income. During the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years, the tax on such vehicles is reduced by 10% from the prior year's level and remains constant thereafter.

Additional charges and service fees are levied for special plates bearing insignia (e.g. military veterans) and pictorial scenes of state significance (e.g. the Mackinac Bridge). Also, plates bearing special messages and nicknames ("vanity plates") are available at additional cost.

Pickup trucks and vans under 5,000 lb., passenger cars, and motor homes purchased before October 1, 1983 are assessed on the basis of the following schedule in lieu of a value tax:

        0- 3,000 lb. $29  5,001- 5,500 lb. $52  7,501- 8,000 lb. $77
 3,001- 3,500 lb. $32  5,501- 6,000 lb. $57  8,001- 8,500 lb. $81
 3,501- 4,000 lb. $37  6,001- 6,500 lb. $62  8,501- 9,000 lb. $86
 4,001- 4,500 lb. $43  6,501- 7,000 lb. $67  9,001- 9,500 lb. $91
 4,501- 5,000 lb. $47  7,001- 7,500 lb. $71  9,501-10,000 lb. $95
    Over 10,000 lb. add $.90/100 lb.

2. Varied rates for specialized vehicles such as buses and taxicabs, motorcycles, certain farm equipment, ambulances and hearses, moving vans.

3. Commercial pickup trucks under 5,000 lb.: 0-4,000 lb. $39; 4,001-4500 lb. $44; 4,501-5,000 lb. $49.

4. Trucks weighing 8,000 lb. or less and tow trucks ($38 minimum; fee per 100 lb.):

       0- 2,500 lb. $1.40  8,001-10,000 lb. $3.25
 2,501- 4,000 lb. $1.76 10,001-15,000 lb. $3.77
 4,001- 6,000 lb. $2.20 Over 15,000 lb. $4.39
 6,001- 8,000 lb. $2.72  

5. For trucks weighing 8,000 lb. or less towing a trailer or for trucks weighing 8,001 lb. and over, road tractors, and truck tractors, a flat fee on elected gross weight (shown here in lbs.):

          0- 24,000:   $491  48,001- 54,000: $1,135 100,001-115,000: $2,223
 24,001- 26,000:   $558  54,001- 60,000: $1,268 115,001-130,000: $2,448
 26,001- 28,000:   $558  60,001- 66,000: $1,398 130,001-145,000: $2,670
 28,001- 32,000:   $649  66,001- 72,000: $1,529 145,001-160,000: $2,894
 32,001- 36,000:   $744  72,001- 80,000: $1,660      Over 160,000: $3,117
 36,001- 42,000:   $874  80,001- 90,000: $1,793  
 42,001- 48,000: $1,005  90,001-100,000: $2,002  

6. For trailers (one-time fee): under 2,500 lb. $75; 2,500 ob. to 9,999 lb. $200; 10,000 lb. and over $300.


ADMINISTRATION: Michigan Department of State; certain fees, Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

REPORT AND PAYMENT: Registration expires annually on owner's birthday, except for certain commercial vehicles and trailers owned by "persons" other than individuals (last day of Feb.), for motorcycles (March 31), and for historic vehicles (on April 15 in the 5th year after the date of issue). Tax due with new registration.

DISPOSITION: Michigan Transportation Fund; certain fees, Scrap Tire Regulation Fund.

2006-07 COLLECTIONS:

$880,082,000

Motor Vehicle Registration Tax Law Changes

Historic Michigan Motor Vehicle Registration Tax Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated July 21, 2008