Wisconsin trail pass?

homan

Member
A group of us Michigan guys are doing our annual trip to the Western UP and back to the Eastern end in a few weeks. Is there a Wisconsin trail pass required if we decided to drop down into WI for a ways?
 

snodogg

New member
You can buy a Non-Res 1 yr trail pass for $35 or you can "register" your sleds in WI for $30 for two years.

They allow dual registration in WI, I just reg. my sled at the DNR office and had to ask about this to see if it was true and it is. I think you can only register at a DNR office or online at the DNR website. You can pick up the $35 trail pass anywhere they sell fishing/hunt licenses (gas stations, some bars, etc..)
 
Thought the $30 for two year vers $35 sounded two good.
Check with wi dnr, you pay $30 plus you have too pay sales tax on the
purchase price of sled, say bought sled for $7000 tax at 5.5%
would be $385 plus the $30 = $414.
You only pay tax once, but evey time you get a new sled it will cost you.
They also said they look a purches price and if it dose not look right,
you will be getting a call.
Is this right ? Just wondering!

Think Snow !!!!
 

Banjo Man

New member
I was wondering, why not reg a sled in Wisconsin & Michigan if allowed.
My sleds are already reg'd in Wisc. and the sales tax paid.
If just reg'd in Michigan, not title transfer, why would there be any additional
taxes other then thr registration fees?
 

yamadooed

Active member
No reason to register in MI cuz yalls still hafta buy a trail pass...Wi only makes you pay the diffence in tax between the state purchased and WI... If you purchased from a private party or got a special deal and didn't pay tax they will charge you for that so best in that cicumstance to buy a trail pass... BTW IL is start'n to check out some larger outta state purchases and hit'n up for the owners for taxes...
 

sd16

New member
Wisc trail pass

I "dual" registered my sled last year online w/Wisc DNR, no additional sales tax was paid. I bought and paid sales tax on sled in MN only.
 

snodogg

New member
Your right on the sales tax, WI gov't gets their dip regardless if it's a new or used purchase. However, if the sled is already registered or tax paid in another state they cant double dip. So say you live and have your sled registered in MN or wherever, they can't tax you again for the sales tax.

As WI resident, If you purchase a used sled from a private party and register it in WI you would still have to pay the sales tax on the purchase price. If you buy a sled and report a rediculously low purchase price they may contact the seller to verify the price. (I know someone who got busted this way with a vehicle) If you tell the DNR you paid $500 for a 2007 they will probably get suspicious.

Best is to make sure you get a bill of sale signed by the seller... interpret that whatever way you want. Only way to not pay tax is if it is a gift from a family member.

When I moved to WI from MN and reg. my sled I did not pay tax b/c I purchased it in MN. Also did not pay WI tax on my last new purchase b/c again I bought it in MN and had to pay the MN sales tax.

So.... if your a non res. of WI and do the $30 registration, and already have current reg. in your home state, you shouldn't have to pay any WI sales tax.

Some states allow this dual registration some dont. but 30 for two is better than 35 for one.

hope this clears anything up.
 

Banjo Man

New member
Is Michigan and Wisconsin states that allow dual registration.
I'm an Illinois resident who has registered in Wiscosin for the last 20 or so
 

revman

New member
I live in MN and registered in WI and did not have to pay the difference on the taxes. I paid at the dealership in MN where I bought the sled and now registered in WI. That may not be the case with others, but it was in mine.

REVman
 

Banjo Man

New member
The taxes paid are a one time thing when purchased no matter where.
My question is there anyway to avoid purchasing an annual trail pass by
registering in that state. I live in Illinois, register in Wisc. and buy a trail pass
in Mich. Is it possible to register in Wisc. & Mich.
I don't pay for a trail pass in Wisc. because I am registered there.
Yamadooed says you would still have to purchase a pass in Michigan even if
registered there. To me that is really double-dipping or is that in place for
out of staters.
 

yamadooed

Active member
Registration for a snowmobile and a trail pass are two different things. No matter what state you ride in yer sled has to be registered somewhere if you want to ride on the trails. Butt WI allows you to ride in their state without a trail pass if its register there MI doesn't and IL only requires it be registered in some state and no trail pass (unless you are a resident then it needs to be registered in IL to ride in IL) and WI only charges you the difference in sales tax if lower than WI from the state you purchased... Il doesn't require any sales tax from a private party sale only all others require tax. I've searched the sates separately and outside of lie'n there's no way to get out of the tax issue and registering...

Clear as a bell isn't it...
 
Last edited:

nic

New member
yamadooed is all over it. MI requires you to buy a trail sticker- whether you're registered in MI or not. So even MI residents who have their machines registered there, still need a trail pass. WI says you don't need a WI trail pass, if registered in WI. So yes, lots of us go ahead and get dual registration b/c it's cheaper. $33 for two years, vs $35 trail sticker good for only one year. If you live in IL and want to ride in IL, you must be registered here. It's $18 for 2-3 yrs, peanuts if it means they leave you alone when running the Chain for fun. If you live elsewhere, you at least have to be registered somewhere- to ride in IL. We don't have a trail sticker.
You have to pay sales tax to register in WI. For most people- you've already paid it. And unelss whereever you paid sales tax- that rate was less than 5.5%, you're set. Just note that it's been paid (I've registered 4 times in WI and just said I paid, and never submitted proof- but I really did pay- just surprised I didn't have to send anything). Only thing I"m not sure on is the sales tax for private party/used machines in IL. I know for boats, you pay the tax no matter what. I thought snowmobiles moved to this as well, but maybe not. I'm sure they will though.
 

polarisrider1

New member
I am totally lost on this. Are we talking trail passes or registrations? I can't see any reason to register in Michigan if you are registered else where. Just pay the $35 for the trail pass and your golden. Trail pass and registration are 2 seperate things. "Stickers" could mean either.
 
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