Very upset over the $95 fee for license plate renewal. Does anyone else in the country pay so much? (Vermont: insurance, buying)

[ladoll]

I live in the great and wonderful state of California and I paid close to $150 to re-register my car (a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire). Also, the last time I checked, emissions testing in Wisconsin was free (someone correct me if I'm wrong). In California, you have to pay for that, too (and some places like to rip you off by charging $70 for it).

So, OP, in short, stop complaining. $95 is not that bad.

[andrea3821]

Oh, I should add that in Florida, I think it goes by weight, not value. We don't have smog checks or inspections here at all. We pay 6% sales tax, reasonable property taxes and no state income tax. But we are a state with a massive amount of money that comes from tourism. You take the good with the bad (for me, the bad would be the unbearable heat for most of the year).

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by Deelightful

Hello everyone,

I'm so upset. I know this fee has been around for a while. It's just that our economy is so bad, and I feel we in Wisconsin need a break. My friend lives in Georgia, and I know she doesn't pay this much. My question is "What does this high fee pay for?" I feel like I'm getting ripped off. What about you?

I hate to break the news to you but you live in a state that is in the top couple highest tax\fee states in the country.

Not a coincidence that they also have some of the more robust social benefits and services

It's been that way for ages and is unlikely to change.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by andrea3821

Oh, I should add that in Florida, I think it goes by weight, not value. We don't have smog checks or inspections here at all. We pay 6% sales tax, reasonable property taxes and no state income tax. But we are a state with a massive amount of money that comes from tourism. You take the good with the bad (for me, the bad would be the unbearable heat for most of the year).

Yeah, FL is near the bottom of the total taxation list and all the things you site are correct. They also have trouble with school funding due to demographics which is something Wisconsin doesn't struggle with.

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed

No right or wrong, just different.

[Deelightful]

Thank you all for the information. I had no idea that the registration fee was so high in other areas of the country.

I'm planning to move to Texas soon. I guess I should see how much they pay there.

[HagbardCeline]

Actually, if you look at combining personal taxes and fees, Wisconsin is pretty close to the middle of the pack. If you think you should benefit from services without having to pay for them, well, good luck with that.

Or just live in the city and get a good bike, like I did.

[Iowa-To-Wisconsin]

LOL - I'm definitely moving to Wisconsin if the vehicle registration is that cheap!!!

I'm in the process of paying my annual renewal for the State of Iowa which is due no later than 11-30-11. I have a 2007 Honda Accord - my annual renewal amount is $264.50!! I'm out of work and have been interviewing in Wisconsin. I came on-line to see how much the licensing in Wisconsin would be (I doubt if I will get a refund from Iowa once I move). I am going to hold out until the last minute on renewing this. Hopefully I will have an offer and be a Wisconsin resident before Thanksgiving. I could use an extra $170.

[MaseMan]

You either pay higher taxes or higher fees to cover stuff like this. I really do not believe our taxes and fees in Wisconsin are so horrible (compared to other states) like certain talking heads in the media would have us believe.

[northbound74]

In Missouri, I think it was $25 a year. Arkansas is similar. Neither state has much of a title fee, if any. About $10 in MO I think.
Both of those states do have personal property taxes on vehicles that you pay once a year which makes up for it.
Overall Wisconsin seems on the high side with taxes and fees, although government services are about the same as other places I've lived. It's very strange to see more held out for state income taxes than federal on my pay stub. Then there's those catastrophic real estate property taxes...
Wisconsin's pretty cool overall, but the taxes remind me it's just another pit stop.

[dawnh44]

Wow!!!! I can't believe this topic is still going. I guess it's a good thing. I was wondering if anyone knows what the license plate renewal fee is in Texas?