Subdivision 1. When due and payable. The tax required under this chapter to be paid upon a motor vehicle for each calendar year becomes due when the vehicle first uses the public streets or highways in the state, and upon January 1 each year thereafter, except those vehicles which are taxed under section 168.017 and vehicles registered under 168.09, subdivision 3. Taxes due upon January 1 become payable upon November 15 preceding the calendar year for which they are assessed. The tax required to register vehicles for the registration year March 1 to the last day of February is due on March 1 and payable January 1 preceding. The tax required to register vehicles under the provisions of section 168.017 is due the first day of the month commencing the 12-month registration period and payable during the 45 days preceding the due date. Nothing in this section shall preclude prepayment.
Subd. 2. [Repealed, 1973 c 6 s 7]
Subd. 3. [Repealed, 1984 c 549 s 34]
Subd. 4. Installments; registration generally. (a) If the tax for a vehicle assessed under section 168.013, subdivision 1c, 1d, 1e, or 1g, amounts to more than $400, the owner may pay the tax by installments.
(b) The owner shall tender with the application for registration one-third of the annual tax due or $400, whichever is greater, plus any penalties or arrears, plus a fee of $10. Instead of this fee, the applicant may furnish a bond, bank letter of credit, or certificate of deposit approved by the registrar of motor vehicles, for the total of the tax still due. The amount of the bond, letter of credit, or certificate of deposit may include any penalties assessed. The bond, letter of credit, or certificate of deposit must be for the benefit of the state for monetary loss caused by failure of the vehicle owner to pay delinquent license fees and penalties.
(c) The remainder of the tax due must be paid in two equal installments. The due date of the first installment is July 1, and the second installment is due November 1.
(d) When the applicant elects to pay the administrative fee, the registrar shall issue to the applicant validation stickers indicating the expiration date of a registration. When the applicant elects to furnish a bond, bank letter, or letter of deposit, the registrar shall issue regular validation stickers for the registration year.
(e) If an owner of a vehicle fails to pay an installment on or before its due date, the vehicle must not be used on the public streets or highways in this state until the installment or installments of the tax remaining due on the vehicle have been paid in full for the licensed year together with a penalty at the rate of $1 per day for the remainder of the month in which the balance of the tax becomes due and $4 a month for each succeeding month or fraction of a month during which the balance of the tax remains unpaid. Upon the payment of the balance of the tax and the penalties, the registrar shall issue a registration certificate to the owner of the vehicle in the manner provided by law. The registrar shall deny installment payment privileges provided in this subdivision in the subsequent year to any owner on any or all vehicles of the owner who during the current year fails to pay any installment due within one month after the due date.
Subd. 4a. Installments; interstate registration and reciprocity. If the tax for a vehicle assessed under section 168.187 amounts to more than $400, the owner may pay the tax by installments. The owner shall submit with the application for registration, no later than January 1, one-third of the Minnesota annual tax due or $400, whichever is greater. The applicant shall furnish a bond, bank letter of credit, or certificate of deposit approved by the registrar of motor vehicles, for the total of the tax still due. The amount of the bond, letter of credit, or certificate of deposit may include any penalties assessed. The bond, letter of credit, or certificate of deposit must be for the benefit of the state for monetary loss caused by failure of the vehicle owner to pay delinquent license fees and penalties. The remainder of the tax due must be paid in two equal installments; the due date of the first installment is May 1 and the second installment is due on September 1. If an owner of a vehicle fails to pay an installment on or before the due date, the vehicle must not be used on the public streets or highways in this state until the installment or installments of the tax remaining due on the vehicle has been paid in full for the licensed year, together with a penalty at the rate of $1 per day for the remainder of the month in which the balance of the tax becomes due and $4 a month for each succeeding month or fraction of it during which the balance of the tax remains unpaid. The registrar shall deny installment payment privileges provided in this subdivision in the subsequent year to any owner on any or all vehicles of an owner who during the current year fails to pay any installment and penalties due within one month after the due date.
Subd. 5. Refund. For the registration tax paid on any vehicle before the registration period for which that tax was assessed, the owner of the vehicle who paid the tax is entitled to full refund if the registration stickers are surrendered before the first day of the new registration period.
Subd. 6. Tax delinquency; remedies. All taxes imposed under the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed the personal obligation of the registered owner and the amount of such tax, including added penalties for the nonpayment thereof, shall be a first lien upon the vehicle taxed, paramount and superior to all other liens thereon whether previously or subsequently accruing thereon; and, in addition to any other remedy herein prescribed, the state shall have a right of action against the owner for the recovery of the amount of any delinquent tax thereon, including the penalties accruing because of the nonpayment thereof, or for the enforcement of the tax lien thereon hereby declared, or both, in any court of competent jurisdiction. The county attorney of the county in which such motor vehicle is owned shall perform such service in the matter of the commencement and prosecution of such suit or in the prosecution of any other remedy for the enforcement of such tax as the attorney general may require.
(2690) 1921 c 461 s 19; 1923 c 418 s 19; 1933 c 344 s 3; 1941 c 515 s 4; 1943 c 153 s 1; 1951 c 401 s 1; 1953 c 123 s 1; 1957 c 714 s 3; 1961 c 170 s 1; 1973 c 6 s 4,5; 1976 c 39 s 6; 1976 c 225 s 2; 1978 c 613 s 3; 1980 c 498 s 1; 1981 c 167 s 4; 1984 c 549 s 22,23; 1985 c 291 s 16; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 195 s 2,3; 1993 c 281 s 5; 2000 c 426 s 11; 2002 c 371 art 1 s 10; 1Sp2005 c 6 art 2 s 23; 1Sp2021 c 5 art 4 s 38
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 160 - 174A — Transportation
Chapter 168 — Vehicle Registration, Taxation, Sale
Section 168.002 — Definitions.
Section 168.012 — Vehicles Exempt From Tax Or License Fees.
Section 168.013 — Vehicle Registration Taxes.
Section 168.0135 — Motor Vehicle Registration Self-service Kiosks.
Section 168.014 — Owner's Registration Certificate; Expiration.
Section 168.016 — Collection Of Tax Rate Increase.
Section 168.017 — Monthly Series Registration System.
Section 168.018 — Quarterly Registration Of Farm Trucks.
Section 168.0185 — Record Of Vehicle Registration; Disclosure.
Section 168.021 — Plates For Physically Disabled Persons.
Section 168.022 — Mandatory Tax Refund Due To Lemon Law.
Section 168.031 — Registration Exemption; Active Military Service.
Section 168.032 — Proportionate Refund To Person On Active Military Service.
Section 168.033 — May Pay Proportionate Part Of Tax.
Section 168.04 — Military Personnel; Exemptions.
Section 168.041 — Impounding Registration Plates.
Section 168.05 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.053 — Drive-away In-transit License.
Section 168.054 — Liability Insurance Policy.
Section 168.056 — Towing Violation A Misdemeanor; Exceptions.
Section 168.057 — Fees Credited To Highway User Fund.
Section 168.09 — Registration; Reregistration.
Section 168.091 — 31-day Temporary Vehicle Permit.
Section 168.092 — 21-day Temporary Vehicle Permit.
Section 168.10 — Registration; Collector Vehicle.
Section 168.101 — Ownership And Registration By Minor; Prohibitions.
Section 168.102 — School Bus; Preregistration Inspection.
Section 168.105 — Classic Motorcycle Registration.
Section 168.11 — Registration Certificate.
Section 168.121 — Special Plates Remembering Victims Of Impaired Drivers.
Section 168.123 — Veterans; Special Plates.
Section 168.1235 — Veterans Service Group Emblems.
Section 168.124 — Special Plates For Medal Of Honor Recipients.
Section 168.125 — Special Plates For Former Prisoners Of War.
Section 168.1253 — Gold Star License Plate.
Section 168.1255 — "proud To Be A Veteran" Plate.
Section 168.1256 — Retired Law Enforcement Special Plates.
Section 168.126 — Commuter Vans; Registration, Special License Plates.
Section 168.127 — Fleet Vehicles; Registration, Fee.
Section 168.128 — Limousine Plates.
Section 168.1282 — "start Seeing Motorcycles" Special Plates.
Section 168.1284 — Minnesota 100 Club Plates.
Section 168.1285 — Minnesota Agriculture Plates.
Section 168.1286 — Honorary Consul Plates.
Section 168.129 — Special Collegiate Plates.
Section 168.1291 — Certain Special Plates; Uniform Design, Unique Emblems.
Section 168.1293 — Certain Special Plates; Authorization, Discontinuance.
Section 168.1294 — Law Enforcement Memorial Plates.
Section 168.1295 — State Parks And Trails Plates.
Section 168.1296 — Critical Habitat Plates.
Section 168.1297 — Special "rotary Member" Plates.
Section 168.1298 — Special "support Our Troops" Plates.
Section 168.1299 — Minnesota Golf Plates.
Section 168.13 — Proof Of Ownership.
Section 168.15 — Rights As To Registration Certificate And Plates.
Section 168.16 — Registration Tax Refund; Appropriation.
Section 168.17 — Suspension Of Registration.
Section 168.181 — Nonresidents, Reciprocity Agreements Or Arrangements.
Section 168.183 — Motor Vehicles Of Certain Nonresidents.
Section 168.185 — Usdot Numbers.
Section 168.187 — Interstate Registration And Reciprocity.
Section 168.201 — Denial Or Withdrawal Of Benefits And Privileges.
Section 168.211 — Subjection To State Laws Generally.
Section 168.221 — Commercial Vehicles; Taxes Or Fees.
Section 168.25 — Vehicles Used For Testing.
Section 168.26 — Certain Manufacturers Need Not Register.
Section 168.27 — Motor Vehicle Dealers; Violations, Penalties.
Section 168.2701 — Liability Of Lessors For Unpaid Traffic Fines.
Section 168.2702 — Motor Vehicle Leases; Indemnity Agreements.
Section 168.271 — Informational Labels On Pickup Trucks; Penalty.
Section 168.274 — Definitions.
Section 168.275 — Sale Of Motor Vehicle On Sunday Forbidden.
Section 168.276 — Suspension Or Revocation Of Dealer License.
Section 168.277 — Motor Vehicle Purchases; Disclosure.
Section 168.28 — Vehicles Subject To Tax; Exceptions.
Section 168.29 — Replacement Plates.
Section 168.301 — Vehicle Transfer Deadline; Fees; Suspension.
Section 168.31 — Registration Tax Payment.
Section 168.321 — New Vehicle Manufacturer's Statement.
Section 168.325 — Division Of Driver And Vehicle Services.
Section 168.326 — Expedited Driver And Vehicle Services; Fee.
Section 168.327 — Driver And Vehicle Record Fees.
Section 168.33 — Commissioner As Registrar Of Vehicles; Deputy Registrars.
Section 168.34 — Information Furnished.
Section 168.345 — Use Of Vehicle Registration Information.
Section 168.346 — Privacy Of Personal Information.
Section 168.35 — Intent To Escape Tax; Gross Misdemeanor.
Section 168.36 — Unlawful Use Of Unregistered Vehicle Certificate, Plates.
Section 168.37 — Plate Tabs Or Stickers; Monthly Registration System.
Section 168.381 — Manufacture Of Vehicle Plates; Appropriations.
Section 168.50 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.51 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.52 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.53 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.54 — Motor Vehicles, Transfer Of Ownership.
Section 168.61 — Intercity Bus.
Section 168.62 — Intercity Bus Registration.
Section 168.63 — Intercity Bus; Registrar Duties.
Section 168.64 — Intercity Bus Rules, Requirements.
Section 168.65 — Intercity Bus Violations.
Section 168.841 — Definition Of Rental Truck.
Section 168.842 — Registration And Taxation Of Rental Truck.
Section 168.843 — Registration And Taxation Of Rental Trailer.
Section 168.844 — Other Fleet Rental Vehicles.
Section 168.845 — Rules For Rental Trucks And Trailers.
Section 168.846 — Misdemeanor Violation Of Rental Vehicle Laws.