[alaskaflyer]

Searched the forum and came up with nothing, so here goes: We're relocating to the U.P. in the spring. We need a newish car, either new or recently used, and we're trying to learn if it makes the most sense to purchase it now, here, or wait until we arrive.

I know that Michigan has a state sales tax of 6% and also a use tax of 6% but the state website is less-than-clear as to how either applies to automobiles purchased from dealers, automobiles purchased from private parties, and automobiles brought into the state from somewhere like Alaska where there is no state sales or use tax paid when purchased.

Any pointers?

[zthatzmanz28]

Doesn't Michigan just have the sales tax? It also depends on how long you have owned the vehicle I believe? Also, I believe Michigan sales tax is based on any sales tax paid in your previous state.
Check with secretary state for timelines. Also I would compare sales prices on used vehicles in AK vs. MI. They may be cheaper in Michigan?

[Bydand]

Only sales tax on vehicles. Never heard of the use tax on anything actually.

I have moved back into the state several times with vehicles bought out of State and have never had to pay MI sales tax on any of them if I was a resident of the State I bought them in. I have bought vehicles from another State while living in MI and had to pay the MI sales tax then. One of those vehicles were bought in a State with a lower sales tax and in MI I only had to pay the difference (Out of state tax was 5%, so I paid 1% in MI for the sales tax with proof I had paid the 5% in the State I bought the vehicle in.)

Best bet is to see where you can get the better deal on the vehicle you want. The difference between no sales tax and the MI 5% tax may be less than the price difference from one area to the other.

[Coldjensens]

After. You can make a new friend and buy a car all at once.

[alaskaflyer]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Only sales tax on vehicles. Never heard of the use tax on anything actually.

I have moved back into the state several times with vehicles bought out of State and have never had to pay MI sales tax on any of them if I was a resident of the State I bought them in. I have bought vehicles from another State while living in MI and had to pay the MI sales tax then. One of those vehicles were bought in a State with a lower sales tax and in MI I only had to pay the difference (Out of state tax was 5%, so I paid 1% in MI for the sales tax with proof I had paid the 5% in the State I bought the vehicle in.)

Best bet is to see where you can get the better deal on the vehicle you want. The difference between no sales tax and the MI 5% tax may be less than the price difference from one area to the other.

OK, thanks.

[Nephler]

Hey Flyer... Where abouts are you in AK?
I just moved down here about 4 months ago from the Mat-Su.

[alaskaflyer]

Originally Posted by Nephler

Hey Flyer... Where abouts are you in AK?
I just moved down here about 4 months ago from the Mat-Su.

I'm in Healy....relocating for a job. It was either here or New Orleans. I said New Orleans. Wife said Michigan. So here we come to Michigan

Actually, we're both excited to be coming to a place with four seasons and a rural lifestyle but closer to family and less expensive. Just trying to figure out the taxes. Don't have many of those in the Denali borough

[Nephler]

Originally Posted by alaskaflyer

I'm in Healy....relocating for a job. It was either here or New Orleans. I said New Orleans. Wife said Michigan. So here we come to Michigan

Actually, we're both excited to be coming to a place with four seasons and a rural lifestyle but closer to family and less expensive. Just trying to figure out the taxes. Don't have many of those in the Denali borough

Yeah things should be cheaper in MI then Healy, though I have found that where I'm at (tip of the mitt) it's more expense then back in the Mat-Su.

[VM1138]

Originally Posted by alaskaflyer

I'm in Healy....relocating for a job. It was either here or New Orleans. I said New Orleans. Wife said Michigan. So here we come to Michigan

Actually, we're both excited to be coming to a place with four seasons and a rural lifestyle but closer to family and less expensive. Just trying to figure out the taxes. Don't have many of those in the Denali borough

Michigan doesn't really have four seasons, though. We have winter (6-7 months), summer (2 and a half months) and then two short transition periods where the weather fluctuates between freezing and warm.

I'm not sure about how much cars are where you come from, but in my travels I've noticed cars are thousands of dollars cheaper outside of Michigan. Not sure why.

[us66]

Originally Posted by VM1138

Michigan doesn't really have four seasons, though. We have winter (6-7 months), summer (2 and a half months) and then two short transition periods where the weather fluctuates between freezing and warm.

I'm not sure about how much cars are where you come from, but in my travels I've noticed cars are thousands of dollars cheaper outside of Michigan. Not sure why.

I've seen that, too. I was in Vegas a couple of years ago, reading the Review-Journal, spending imaginary winnings, and I made a note of the price of year-old HHRs. Came back here, looked at the Detroit News, and there was at least a thousand dollar difference (plus higher mileage), plus those ones out there have probably never seen a salty winter.

Japanese cars seem to cost more here, too, I'm guessing because there aren't as many here. The used ones here seem to sell themselves.

Weather: It seems there's a six month period where either the low or the high will likely be in the forties.