Where to register my sled?

autox_vette

New member
Long story, but I just bought my first sled while on a trip to the Eagle River area (so I have already paid Wi sales tax).

I'm an Illinois resident, will probably be taking trips to Wi, and have a vacation place in Mi.

I'm trying to decide which state to register my new tow in. I was told that if I'm caught riding in Il with an Il drivers license, and registration in a different state, that the DNR will harass you (not sure if there's any legal basis). I'm not sure how much I'll ride in Il anyway given the amount of snow we get (ditch and field riding doesn't really appeal to me right now).

Right not it looks like I'll be doing most of my riding in Mi, with a 2-3 trips a year to Wi.

Opinions? (I know that's a loaded question).

Thanks,
Kenton
 

rp7x

Well-known member
regs

if you reg it in wis tax already paid just need a mc tag won't need wisc trail tag
 

lesledhead

New member
If your registration dollars go to a snowmobile trail fund in Illinois I would register it there. Why give that money to a state that already has enough trail money? You do that with a trail permit. Just my opinion.

Even if you don't ride in Illinois, you'll be helping out the hard working clubs that do.

Tony
 

polarisrider1

New member
If your registration dollars go to a snowmobile trail fund in Illinois I would register it there. Why give that money to a state that already has enough trail money? You do that with a trail permit. Just my opinion.

Even if you don't ride in Illinois, you'll be helping out the hard working clubs that do.

Tony

What state has enough trail money? Register it at home address and buy the MI trail permit when you ride there. You may want to ask your sled insurance company if the have a preference (in case sled gets stolen). If you borrowed money to buy the sled the lien holder may specify what they want, since it is really their sled.
 

yamadooed

Active member
Its an $18 for three years registration in IL thats a whole $6 dollars a year. The Il DNR won't harass you without it if you are a resident the will simply just ticket you... (The word Domicle in the law means you legally reside in the state) so even if you ride just once a year its worth $6 bucks.
For WI registartion you will need a copy of the receipt to show you already paid tax.
Then all you need is a MI trail pass and yer covered for three states...
 

harvest1121

Well-known member
Just register it in both Illinois and Wisconsin. I bought a snowmobile in
indiana and live in Illinois. Illinois wanted me to get all this other paper work so I just did it in Wisconsin. You think Illinois would want the $700 in tax money. I would register it in Wisconsin then do it in Illinois also. If you do not ride in Illinois just put the stickers on when you do.
 

autox_vette

New member
Just register it in both Illinois and Wisconsin. I bought a snowmobile in
indiana and live in Illinois. Illinois wanted me to get all this other paper work so I just did it in Wisconsin. You think Illinois would want the $700 in tax money. I would register it in Wisconsin then do it in Illinois also. If you do not ride in Illinois just put the stickers on when you do.

Thanks. I forgot about the dual registration option. I've been told that Il wants you to turn in your out of state registration (guess they want to be the only one in the sandbox), but not Wi. (or vice verse, can't remember exactly). Since it's new, shouldn't be any problem doing it in both....

Thanks for all the input everyone.

Kenton
 

nickels

New member
Thanks. I forgot about the dual registration option. I've been told that Il wants you to turn in your out of state registration (guess they want to be the only one in the sandbox), but not Wi. (or vice verse, can't remember exactly). Since it's new, shouldn't be any problem doing it in both....

Thanks for all the input everyone.

Kenton

You can have dual reg. that's how I have mine IL, and WI.
 

buzzzaw800

New member
I would register it either in Mi. or Wi. You can still legally ride it in Illinois 25-30 days a year with an outside state registration. Since your cottage is in MI. I would just register it there, and if you go to WI. just buy a trail pass.
For your info. IL stole over a $million dollars out of the snowmobile fund a few years ago and never replaced it, so heed my warning.
 

ezra

Well-known member
why would you pay WI tax as a IL res?if I buy a sled in WI show my MN ID I pay no WI tax and Im supposed to pay it in MN where I have it registered.if it is a new sled used sleds require no sales tax in MN unless you buy at a MN dealer If I buy a used sled out of state I pay no tax to any state.
 

yamadooed

Active member
I would register it either in Mi. or Wi. You can still legally ride it in Illinois 25-30 days a year with an outside state registration. Since your cottage is in MI. I would just register it there, and if you go to WI. just buy a trail pass.
For your info. IL stole over a $million dollars out of the snowmobile fund a few years ago and never replaced it, so heed my warning.


You can't legally ride if your an IL resident... This has to be the top ten tickets they write.


WI only requires you to pay the difference in sales tax when you register there new or used... Since IL and MN require none from a private party sale you need to pay the full amount in WI when you register...
 

pman

New member
Illinois requires a serial number for both the chassis and motor. I could not find the serial number on the motor for a 2006 doo I bought in Michigan. I registered the sled in Wisconsin, but live in Illinois.
 

mrsskidoo

New member
my husband just got a $200.00 ticket for that at the wonder lake ice drags a couple weeks ago! Our sleds are registered in wisconsin were they were both bought. He didnt want to register them in Illinois because then we would have to pay tax on them in Illinois when they were primarily rode in Wisconsin.
 

tnehlsen

Member
purchased my sled from dealer in IL paying tax in IL. Registered in both WI and IL as I do ride around home when there is snow in IL, if not then head for the cabin in WI. $18 for 3 years in IL pretty good deal for a few rides ticket free. I dont know for sure but I heard since there is no trail sticker for IL you are supposed to have sled registered in IL to legalley ride the trail. $35 for 2 years in registration in WI and then you do not need WI trail sticker (currently). 2 stickers on the sled sucks but for less aggravation and the ability to ride in the state of my choice with no hassles is the way to go for me. Then the years we end up in MI or MN then the windshield begins to look like a boy scout vest with stickers everywhere.
 

hegewisch

New member
Not totally sure on sleds. However, should be like mine. I have lived "been" in Chicago 6 1/2 years. However, I still have my Michigan drivers license as I still have a house in Michigan. All our cars, boat, camper, toys are registered in Michigan. It's cheaper. My wife had to change her driver license to Illinois as she works for the City of Chicago. So, everything is under me. So, perhaps use your Michigan cottage as your residency.
 

nic

New member
I wouldn't bother registering in MI b/c you still need a trail sticker in MI. Registered there or not, ALL snowmobiles need a trail sticker in MI. So not point registering there AND buying a trail sticker.
I would dual register in WI/IL (it's what I do, and I am an IL resident as well). Like others have said- it's $18 and saves you hassles when riding here (even if once or not at all a year). I'm sure you can spare the $6/yr. If you've already paid tax and arent' trying to avoid that- then definitely register in IL. You may have to pay a bit more depending on the tax you paid in WI. If you paid 5.5% and you live in a 6% county, you owe IL .5% tax when you go to register. I do it all legally b/c it's just not worth trying to skirt the system. I know I'm good to go if I see the DNR boys.
I recently started registering in WI as well. It's super easy, right on their DNR site. It's $35 for two years (as opposed to $30+/yr for trail stickers). If you register in WI, you do NOT need a WI trail sticker. It makes the most sense.
Congrats on the new purchase!
 
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