I need Michigan residents advice

[spikedaddy99]

We live in, and keep the boat in Wisconsin. We are thinking of moving marina's next year to Menominee, Michigan. Do you guys have any different tax issues I need to be aware of? Do you have any type of annual property taxes on boats? I will probably still store the boat in Wisconsin, so she would only be in Mi for 5 months or so. Thanks for your help.

Mike

 

[Lucky's]

There is no boat tax so nothing to worry about there. If you buy the slip there will be property taxes owed but if you're just renting a slip, you just pay your rental fee and the owner worries about the rest. Michigan boat reg is good for 3 years. It is not set on the value of the boat, but is based on the length. You can find those rates by googling Michigan boat reg fees. They are posted on their site. Any other specific questions, let us know.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Thanks Shaun. Would I need a Michigan registration if the boat was in Wisconsin 7/12 months?

Mike

 

[Lucky's]

Mike, kinda shady law but here it is. Michigan law states that the boat must be registered in the state of primary USE. Storage is not considered USE, so by Michigan law if it's being used in MI for 5 months and stored in WI for the rest, it would have to be registered in Michigan. Coming from a former police officer who worked marine patrol in the summers, you could always lie your way out if you get stopped and say you just moved the boat here "last month" and haven't gotten it registered. Most L.E. officers will just educate you of the law and explain if you will be using it here primarily you need to register it here. But if you want to be all legal beagle, you'll get it registered in MI.

 

[Lucky's]

And FYI, your 3 year reg in MI will run you $168, which is good for boats 28-35'.