Section 11.83. Motor vehicles.

 

(1)   Definitions. In this section:

(a) "Actively participates" means the person performs services for the motor vehicle dealership, including selling, accounting, managing, and consulting, for more than 500 hours in a taxable year for which the person receives compensation. "Actively participates" does not include services performed only in the capacity of an investor, including studying and reviewing financial statements or reports on the operation of the business, preparing or compiling summaries or analyses of the finances of the business for the investor's own use, or monitoring the finances or operations of the activity in a nonmanagerial capacity.

(am) "Mobility-enhancing equipment" means equipment, including the repair parts and replacement parts for the equipment, that is primarily and customarily used to provide or increase the ability of a person to move from one place to another; that may be used in a home or motor vehicle; and that is generally not used by a person who has normal mobility. "Mobility-enhancing equipment" does not include a motor vehicle or any equipment on a motor vehicle that is generally provided by a motor vehicle manufacturer. "Mobility-enhancing equipment" does not include durable medical equipment.

(b) "Motor vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle, such as an automobile, truck, truck-tractor, or motorcycle, designed for and capable of transporting persons or property on a highway. In this section, "motor vehicle" does not include a self-propelled vehicle which is not designed or used primarily for transportation of persons or property, and is only incidentally operated on a public highway, such as a farm tractor, snowmobile, fork lift truck, or road machinery as defined in s. 340.01 (52) , Stats. "Motor vehicle" does not include a vehicle which is not self-propelled, such as a trailer or semitrailer.

(2)   Retailers' taxable sales. The following sales in Wisconsin are taxable:

(a) The sale of a motor vehicle minus any trade-in allowance, if the sale and trade-in are one transaction. A separate or independent sale of a motor vehicle by either the buyer or seller of another motor vehicle is not a trade-in, even if the proceeds from the sale are immediately applied by the seller to a purchase of another motor vehicle. A dealer does not realize taxable receipts from a transaction in which one motor vehicle is traded for another of lesser value, called a "trade-down," unless cash or services are received by the dealer.

Examples: 1) Dealer A sells a motor vehicle to Individual B and accepts the trade-in of two motor vehicles owned by Individual B. The selling price of the new vehicle is $20,000. The values of the two motor vehicles traded in by Individual B are $8,000 and $9,000. The sales price subject to sales tax is $3,000, the $20,000 selling price less the $8,000 and $9,000 trade-ins.

2) Dealer A sells two motor vehicles to Individual C and accepts the trade-in of a motor vehicle owned by Individual C. The selling prices of the new vehicles are $10,000 and $12,000. The value of the motor vehicle traded in is $15,000. The sales price subject to sales tax is $7,000, the $22,000 selling price less the $15,000 trade-in.

(am) The sale of motor vehicles by any retailer registered or required to be registered to collect Wisconsin sales or use tax, regardless of whether the retailer is a motor vehicle dealer.

Example: Landscaper A is registered to collect and remit Wisconsin sales and use tax on its landscaping services. Landscaper A sells a motor vehicle that it had used in its landscaping business. Landscaper A must collect Wisconsin sales tax on its sale of the motor vehicle and remit the tax to the Department of Revenue on its Wisconsin sales and use tax return.

(b) The delivery, handling, and preparation of a motor vehicle being sold and the sale of a warranty, relating to the sale of a motor vehicle that is taxable.

(c) The sale of equipment and accessories with a motor vehicle. However, equipment that is not generally provided by a motor vehicle manufacturer, but which is added to a motor vehicle may qualify for exemption under s. 77.54 (22b) , Stats., as mobility-enhancing equipment, as defined in sub. (1) (am) .

(d) Sales of parts and labor for repair, service, and maintenance performed on a motor vehicle, including charges for installation of accessories or attachments, except charges for mobility-enhancing equipment, as described in par. (c) .

(e) Towing or hauling a motor vehicle by a tow truck, as defined in s. 340.01 (67n) , Stats.

(3)   Occasional sale or purchase of motor vehicles from non-retailers.

(a) The occasional sale of a motor vehicle is taxable, unless one of the following applies:

1. The transfer is to the spouse, parent, stepparent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, stepchild, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law of the transferor or is transferred from an individual to a corporation which is solely owned by the individual; and the motor vehicle has been previously registered or titled in Wisconsin in the name of the transferor, if required to be registered or titled; and the transferor is not engaged in the business of selling motor vehicles.

2. The motor vehicle is sold by a nonprofit organization meeting the requirements in s. Tax 11.35 (4) .

(b) No motor vehicle shall be registered or titled in Wisconsin unless the registrant presents proof that the sales or use taxes imposed by this subchapter have been paid or the registrant pays the tax due to the department of transportation at the time the vehicle is registered for use in this state.

(c) A Wisconsin resident purchasing a motor vehicle in a foreign country, or for delivery in a foreign country, shall pay the Wisconsin use tax when the resident registers the vehicle in Wisconsin for use in Wisconsin, subsequent to use in the foreign country. The tax is measured by the full "purchase price," as defined in s. 77.51 (12m) , Stats., of the vehicle.

(d) When one co-owner transfers an interest in a motor vehicle to the other co-owner, tax shall apply on the transfer of the interest. The measure of the tax shall be the cash or its equivalent paid for the equity transferred plus the selling co-owner's share of the liabilities assumed by the buying co-owner.

(4)   Purchases by nonresidents.

(a) The sales price from the sales of motor vehicles or truck bodies to nonresidents of Wisconsin, including members of the armed forces, who will not use the vehicles or trucks for which the truck bodies were made in Wisconsin other than in their removal from Wisconsin is exempt. Truck bodies include semi-trailers. However, the separate sale of a "slide-in" camper to a nonresident is taxable if the sale is sourced to Wisconsin as provided s. 77.522 , Stats.

(b) The sales price from charges for the repair by a Wisconsin retailer of a nonresident's motor vehicle or truck body is subject to tax.

(c) A motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, all-terrain vehicle, or recreational vehicle as defined in s. 340.01 (48r) , Stats., purchased outside Wisconsin by a nonresident of Wisconsin 90 days or more before bringing the unit into Wisconsin, in connection with a change of residence to Wisconsin by the individual, is not subject to the Wisconsin use tax.

(d) Except as provided in par. (c) , nonresidents, including armed forces personnel stationed outside this state pursuant to military orders, who purchase motor vehicles outside this state, shall pay the Wisconsin use tax at the time the vehicle is registered with the Wisconsin department of transportation. However, a tax credit may be claimed as described in sub. (6) .

(5)   Temporary use in Wisconsin. Motor vehicles purchased outside Wisconsin, which are not registered or titled or required to be registered or titled in Wisconsin, brought into Wisconsin by a nondomiciliary for that person's own storage, use, or other consumption while temporarily in Wisconsin are not subject to use tax when the motor vehicle is not stored, used, or otherwise consumed in Wisconsin in the conduct of a trade, occupation, business, or profession or in the performance of personal services for wages or fees.

(6)   Tax credit for vehicle purchased outside Wisconsin. A motor vehicle purchased outside Wisconsin and registered in Wisconsin is subject to Wisconsin use tax, except as noted in sub. (4) (c) . However, if the purchase was subject to a sales or use tax by the state, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in which the purchase was made, sales or use tax paid to the other state, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may be applied as a credit against and deducted from the Wisconsin use tax. This credit does not apply to taxes paid to another country or to motor vehicle registration fees.

(7)   Transfer by inheritance, gift, or prize.

(a) The distribution of a motor vehicle to the heir or heirs of an estate is not a transfer subject to the Wisconsin sales or use tax. However, the sale of a motor vehicle by a personal representative of an estate is subject to the tax, and the purchaser shall pay the tax to the department of transportation at the time of registration.

(b) A motor vehicle transferred as a gift or as a prize in a contest or drawing is exempt when registered with the department of transportation by the recipient or prize winner. However, the sale of the vehicle to the donor of the gift or prize is taxable, unless the donor is an organization described in s. 77.54 (9a) , Stats.

(c) A motor vehicle donated to an organization described in s. 77.54 (9a) , Stats., is not subject to Wisconsin use tax if the motor vehicle has been purchased by the donor tax-free for resale or upon the presentation of a valid exemption certificate, and if the donor has made no other use of the motor vehicle.

(8)   Vehicles used by licensed Wisconsin motor vehicle dealers.

(a) General. Motor vehicles purchased without tax for resale by a Wisconsin motor vehicle dealer licensed under ss. 218.0101 to 218.0163 , Stats., and used for a purpose in addition to retention, demonstration, or display, except motor vehicles loaned to any school or school district for a driver training educational program conducted by the school or school district, are subject to Wisconsin use tax. Motor vehicles used by the dealership solely for retention, demonstration, and display, while holding them for sale in the regular course of business, or solely for leasing to others, such as customers and employees, are not subject to Wisconsin use tax.

(b) Amount subject to use tax. The amount subject to use tax on a motor vehicle used by a licensed motor vehicle dealer for a purpose in addition to retention, demonstration, or display is one of the following:

1. Motor vehicles held for sale which are assigned to and used by a specific dealer employee subject to withholding from federal income tax on wages are subject to Wisconsin use tax on $140 per motor vehicle registration plate per month. The $140 amount is effective January 1, 2009 and is subject to change annually as explained in the notes following par. (b) .

2. Motor vehicles held for sale which are assigned to and used by persons holding an ownership interest in Wisconsin licensed motor vehicle dealerships who are not subject to withholding for federal income tax purposes, but who actively participate in the day-to-day operation of the dealership, are subject to Wisconsin use tax on $140 per motor vehicle registration plate per month. The $140 amount is effective January 1, 2009 and is subject to change annually as explained in the notes following this subdivision.

3. Motor vehicles used by the dealer or any person other than an employee of the dealer and which are held for sale and not assigned to and used by a specific dealer employee subject to federal withholding on wages are subject to Wisconsin use tax on the lease value of the motor vehicle computed on a calendar month basis. If a motor vehicle is used by the dealer for a period of less than one calendar month, the amount subject to use tax is the daily lease value calculated by multiplying the applicable monthly lease value by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days used by the dealer for a purpose in addition to retention, demonstration, or display and the denominator of which is the number of days in the calendar month. Lease value is computed using the internal revenue service lease value table contained in 26 CFR 1.61 - 21 (d) (2). In the lease value table, the "automobile fair market value" is one of the following:

a. The amount an individual would have to pay in an arm's length transaction to purchase the motor vehicle. The amount includes all amounts attributable to the purchase of the automobile such as sales tax and title fees.

b. The motor vehicle dealer's cost of purchasing the automobile, including all expenses attributable to that purchase, provided the automobile is owned by the dealer and the purchase was made at arm's length.

4. Motor vehicles not held for sale, including motor vehicles properly capitalized for Wisconsin income or franchise tax purposes, are subject to use tax based on the purchase price of the motor vehicle as defined in s. 77.51 (12m) , Stats.

(c) Recordkeeping. It is presumed that all dealer plates issued by the department of transportation to a licensed motor vehicle dealer are used each month on motor vehicles assigned to employees subject to withholding for federal income tax purposes or owners who actively participate in the day-to-day operations of the dealership for a purpose in addition to retention, demonstration, or display and are subject to use tax as provided in par. (b) 1. and 2. , unless one of the following applies:

1. The motor vehicle dealer keeps adequate records showing that the dealer plates were not used during the month on motor vehicles for a purpose in addition to retention, demonstration, or display.

2. The motor vehicle to which the dealer plate is assigned is subject to use tax as computed in par. (b) 3. or 4.

(9)   Sales by dealers to their salespersons or other employees. When a licensed Wisconsin motor vehicle dealer sells a motor vehicle to one of the dealer's salespersons or other employees, the transaction is subject to the sales tax.

(10)   Heavy equipment dealers. Heavy equipment dealers who are not registered with the Wisconsin department of transportation as motor vehicle dealers because their sales are too few in number to require registration, but who are retailers that hold a Wisconsin seller's permit, must charge the sales tax on their sales of motor vehicles. The heavy equipment dealers may purchase motor vehicles they are going to resell without tax for resale by providing a properly completed exemption certificate.

(11)   Motor vehicle repair parts and supplies.

(a) Motor vehicle dealers with body shops and any other person engaged in motor vehicle repair may purchase for resale without tax tangible personal property and items, property, and goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b) , (c) , and (d) , Stats., which are physically transferred to the customer's vehicle and which leave the repair facility with the customer. The property includes paints, paint hardeners, plastic fillers, welding rods, and auto parts.

(b) Tangible personal property and items, property, and goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b) , (c) , and (d) , Stats., not physically transferred to a customer's motor vehicle and which do not leave the repair facility with the customer are subject to tax. The property includes tools, equipment, and supplies used or consumed in performing motor vehicle repair service. Taxable supplies include sandpaper, masking paper and tape, buffing pads, paint and lacquer thinner, clean and glaze compound, disc pads, paint remover, paint masks, tack rags, steel wool, industrial gases, metal conditioner, brushes, lacquer removing solvent, rubbing compound, wax and grease remover, fluxing materials, disc adhesive, and all other items not physically transferred to the customer even though a separate charge may be made to the customer for these supplies.

(12)   Exemption for mixing and processing units. Sales, licenses, leases, and rentals of mobile units used for mixing and processing, and the motor vehicles or trailers on which the units are mounted, including accessories, attachments, parts, supplies, and materials for those vehicles, trailers, and units, are exempt from sales and use tax.

(13)   Exemption for vehicles used in waste reduction or recycling. The sales price from the sale, license, lease, or rental of vehicles which are not required to be licensed for highway use and which are used exclusively and directly in waste reduction or recycling activities is exempt from sales and use tax.

(14)   Refunds under "lemon law." Sales tax refunds made under s. 218.0171 (2) (f) , Stats., the "lemon law," are normally made in the same manner as the other sales tax refunds. However, when a defective motor vehicle is returned to the manufacturer for a refund of the purchase price, the purchaser is permitted to collect a sales tax refund directly from the department if the manufacturer fails to refund the tax.

(15)   Vegetable oil and animal fat. Sales of vegetable oil and animal fat to an individual that will be converted to motor vehicle fuel for use in that individual's personal motor vehicle are exempt from sales and use tax if the individual does not sell any of that fuel during the year. This exemption only applies if the motor vehicle fuel is exempt from the motor vehicle fuel tax under s. 78.01 (1) , Stats.

History: Cr. Register, December, 1977, No. 264 , eff. 1-1-78; am. (7) (a) and (8), Register, May, 1981, No. 307 , eff. 6-1-81; am. (4) (c), Register, September, 1984, No. 345 , eff. 10-1-84; am. (7) (a) 1. and 2., Register, February, 1986, No. 362 , eff. 3-1-86; emerg. am. (7) (a) 1. and 2., eff. 3-24-86; am. (7) (a) 1. and 2., Register, October, 1986, No. 370 , eff. 11-1-86; cr. (11), Register, July, 1987, No. 379 , eff. 8-1-87; am. (1), (2) (a), (c) and (d), (3) (a) and (4) (a) and (c), cr. (5), (13) and (14), renum. (5) to be (6), renum. (6) to (11) to be (7) to (12) and am. (8) (a), (9), (10), and (11) (a), (b) and (c) 1., Register, June, 1991, No. 426 , eff. 7-1-91; am. (2) (a), (c), (d), (3) (a), (4) (a), (b), (6), (7) (a), (b), (8) (b), (10) and (14), cr. (7) (c), Register, April, 1993, No. 448 , eff. 5-1-93; am. (1), (2), (3) (d), (4) (b), (5), (6), (7) (a), (11) (c) and (12), r. and recr. (8), Register, February, 1997, No. 494 , eff. 3-1-97; renum. (1) and (8) (b) 2. and 3. to be (1) (b) and (8) (b) 3. and 4. and am. (1) (b), am. (8) (b) 1., (c) 2. and (d), cr. (1) (a), (8) (b) 2., Register, August, 1999, No. 524 , eff. 9-1-99; corrections in (8) (a) and (14) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register July 2002 No. 559 ; EmR0924 : emerg. am. (1) (a), (b), (2) (title), (intro.), (b) to (d), (3) (title), (a) to (c), (4) (a) to (c), (5), (6), (7) (title), (a), (c), (8) (a), (b) (intro.) to 3. (intro.), 4., (c) (intro.), 1., (10), (11) (a), (b), (12) and (13), cr. (1) (am) and (2) (am), r. (8) (d) and (11) (c), eff. 10-1-09; CR 09-090 : am. (1) (a), (b), (2) (title), (intro.), (b) to (d), (3) (title), (a) to (c), (4) (a) to (c), (5), (6), (7) (title), (a), (c), (8) (a), (b) (intro.) to 3. (intro.), 4., (c) (intro.), 1., (10), (11) (a), (b), (12) and (13), cr. (1) (am) and (2) (am), r. (8) (d) and (11) (c) Register May 2010 No. 653 , eff. 6-1-10; CR 10-094 : am. (2) (title), cr. (2) (e) Register November 2010 No. 659 , eff. 12-1-10; correction in (2) (e) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2010 No. 659 ; CR 12-014 : renum. (3) (a) to be (3) (a) 1. and am., cr. (3) (a) (intro.), 2., am. (11) (a), (b), cr. (15) Register August 2012 No. 680 , eff. 9-1-12.

Note

See s. Tax 11.27 for information regarding the sales and use tax treatment of warranties. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Example: Charges for installation of a radio or air conditioner into a motor vehicle are taxable. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Note: As provided in s. 77.53 (1m) , Stats., the department will annually adjust the amount per plate to the nearest whole dollar to reflect the annual percentage change in the U.S. consumer price index for all urban customers, U.S. city average, as determined by the United States department of labor, for the 12 months ending on June 30 of the year before the change. The department will publicize any rate change in an issue of the Wisconsin Tax Bulletin and Sales and Use Tax Report prior to the January 1 that the change becomes effective. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 The amount per plate subject to use tax under par. (b) 1. and 2. was $96 for the period September 1, 1995 through December 31, 1996, $99 for the period January 1, 1997, and $102 for the period January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Note: Section Tax 11.83 interprets ss. 77.51 (7m) , (13) (am) , (14) (j) , and (15b) (b) 6. , 77.52 (1) , (2) (a) 10. and 13m. , and (15) , 77.53 (1) , (1m) , (16) , (17) , and (18) , 77.54 (5) (a) , (c) and (d) , (7) and (22b) , 77.56 (2) and (3) , 77.61 (1) , 77.71 (2) and (4) , and 77.73 , Stats. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Note: The interpretations in s. Tax 11.83 are effective under the general sales and use tax law on and after September 1, 1969, except: (a) The exemption for a transfer from an individual to a corporation solely owned by an individual became effective January 1, 1983, pursuant to Chapter 264, Laws of 1981 ; (b) The exemption for motor vehicles used in waste reduction and recycling became effective July 1, 1984, pursuant to 1983 Wis. Act 426 ; (c) The exemption for mobile mixing and processing units became effective July 20, 1985, pursuant to 1985 Wis. Act 29 ; (d) The exemption for adaptive equipment for handicapped persons to enter, operate or leave a vehicle became effective June 1, 1990, pursuant to 1989 Wis. Act 238 ; (e) The exemption for motor vehicles donated to exempt organizations became effective August 9, 1989, pursuant to 1989 Wis. Act 31 ; (f) The exemption for transfers of motor vehicles to in-laws became effective August 15, 1991, pursuant to 1991 Wis. Act 39 ; (g) The exemption for parts and accessories for adaptive equipment for motor vehicles of handicapped persons became effective October 1, 1991, pursuant to 1991 Wis. Act 39 ; (h) The measure of use tax on motor vehicles as described in sub. (8) (b) 1., 3. and 4. became effective September 1, 1995, pursuant to 1995 Wis. Act 27 ; (i) The use of the amount per plate rather than the lease value, as described in sub. (8) (b) 2., as the measure of use tax for motor vehicles assigned to owners of a dealership became effective December 1, 1997, pursuant to 1997 Wis. Act 27 ; (j) The trade-in provisions related to lemon law refunds became effective June 1, 2002, pursuant to 2001 Wis. Act 45 ; (k) The imposition of tax on towing and hauling motor vehicles by a tow truck became effective July 1, 2009, pursuant to 2009 Wis. Act 28 ; (L) The exemption for mobility-enhancing equipment became effective October 1, 2009, pursuant to 2009 Wis. Act 2 ; (m) The requirement to collect the tax by persons who are not dealers but who hold a Wisconsin seller's permit became effective October 1, 2009, pursuant to 2009 Wis. Act 2 ; and (n) The change of the term "gross receipts" to "sales price" and the separate impositions of tax on coins and stamps sold above face value under s. 77.52 (1) (b) , Stats., certain leased property affixed to real property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) , Stats., and digital goods under s. 77.52 (1) (d) , Stats., became effective October 1, 2009, pursuant to 2009 Wis. Act 2 . Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1