Arizona Senate Republicans
Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita Introduces Bill to Further Reduce Vehicle License Tax
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita Introduces Bill to Further
Reduce Vehicle License Tax
(Phoenix, State Capitol) --- Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita introduced SB1019 (VLT; vehicle sale price) to assess vehicle license taxes based on the actual sale price of a vehicle rather than the current manufacturer’s base retail price. This is another step in addressing Arizona’s egregious vehicle license tax after successfully repealing the $32 public safety fee.
Vehicle License Tax (VLT) is constitutionally required for each year of a vehicle's registration and decreases with the age of the vehicle. Currently, the formula for determining each vehicle's VLT is based on the manufacturer's base retail price (commonly known as Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)) rather than the price that was actually paid for the vehicle.
Senator Ugenti-Rita believes taxes should be accurately assessed and as low as possible. "To me this is truth in taxation. I am unaware of any other transaction where the tax is based on the list price of an item rather than the price paid, if they are different. Cars are very expensive and people work very hard to get the lowest price possible. To then have the state come along and tax it for more than was paid is absurd. I have a record of reducing this tax and even attempted to repeal the requirement to put the sticker on your license plate to further reduce the cost.”
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero, Director of Communications
Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
Office: 602-926-3927