Will I have to pay sales tax on my car?

Question

My husband and I are currently stationed overseas. We just bought a new car and were told that our state of residence may require us to pay sales tax when we register the vehicle at home. Does Wisconsin require this? I've been looking on the WisDOT website and I can't find anything on this subject. Has someone been through this to know?

Answer 1

Most likely....states like their money. Check with the department of motor vehicles

Answer 2

Try going to the website for the Wisonson department of TAXATION....and click on SALES TAX..... I used to work for the New York State Tax Department (retired after 35 years)...and I KNOW that if you bring a car INTO A STATE from another state or country, then you MUST (in NY anyway) pay the sales tax on this car to be USED in NY) so I would assume the same would go for WISCONSIN and any other state that has a mandatory sales tax in place... There ARE a few states that do NOT collect Sales Taxes...

Answer 3

Congratulations on your new vehicle! I hate to say it, but you will be required to pay sales tax (and local sales tax if applicable) in the county where you register your vehicle. There are two sources that will be very helpful to you:

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/title/mv1-5.htm

http://www.dmv.org/wi-wisconsin/car-registration.php

Both pages will explain exactly what is needed to register to your vehicle, including specific forms, fees, and required documents. However, if you would like to find out how much your sales tax will be, you will need to contact the WI state DOT offices directly. You can visit our DMV contact page ( http://www.dmv.org/dmv-phone-numbers.php ) to locate their contact information. I hope this information was helpful. Have a wonderful day!

Answer 4

Yes, once you get it home and go to register it in your home state, they will want the bill of sale to see what you paid for it, and from that they will tax you. Sometimes they don't call it "sales tax" and instead will call it federal excise tax, or value added tax, but nonetheless you pay it based on price.

Some states will even use two methods, the standard "blue book" value and compare that to your purchase price, and charge the highest of those figures to stop those who will shave the price by getting a bill of sale on a used car for less that what they actually paid for it.

What's the old saying about death and taxes?

Answer 5

Probably. If they can collect sales tax, they will. I have done this buying in NY and living in VT and I had to pay.

Answer 6

Since your question is not covered in the website, you will need to e-mail them for the correct information. I have included the e-mail address that is on the WisDot website for this.

[e-mail]