Michigan § 257.815 - Application for registration or for transfer of license; statement of sales tax due; form; copies; exemption; certification; transmitting statement and sales tax funds to department of treasury; issuing or transferring title or license plates on motor vehicle sold by dealer; conditions; compensation for collection of sales tax.
Full text of Michigan Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.815 — Application for registration or for transfer of license; statement of sales tax due; form; copies; exemption; certification; transmitting statement and sales tax funds to department of treasury; issuing or transferring title or license plates on motor vehicle sold by dealer; conditions; compensation for collection of sales tax., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 257.815. Application for registration or for transfer of license; statement of sales tax due; form; copies; exemption; certification; transmitting statement and sales tax funds to department of treasury; issuing or transferring title or license plates on motor vehicle sold by dealer; conditions; compensation for collection of sales tax.
Each application for registration, or for a transfer of the license, of a motor vehicle, shall be accompanied by a statement showing the amount of the sales tax due upon the sale of the motor vehicle, on a form prescribed by the department of treasury, together with the amount of the sales tax due upon the sale under Act No. 167 of the Public Acts of 1933, as amended, being sections 205.51 to 205.78 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and the statement shall be in triplicate, 1 copy to be retained by the dealer and 1 copy to be delivered to the purchaser, except if the sale of a motor vehicle is exempt by law from the payment of the sales tax, a tax shall not be paid. However, if the sale of a motor vehicle is exempt by law from the payment of the sales tax, a certification, on a form as the secretary of state shall prescribe, shall accompany the application for registration, signed and certified by the purchaser stating that the motor vehicle is exempt by law from the payment of the sales tax by virtue of the fact that the sale was an isolated transaction, pursuant to Act No. 167 of the Public Acts of 1933, as amended.
The secretary of state shall transmit the statement and the funds covering the payment of the sales tax to the department of treasury. The secretary of state shall not issue a title, license plates or transfer a title or license plates on a motor vehicle sold by a dealer until the requirements of this section regarding the payment of the sales tax have been complied with. A dealer of new or secondhand vehicles selling motor vehicles at retail paying the sales tax to the secretary of state pursuant to this section shall not be required to include the sale of the motor vehicles on the dealer's reports to the department of treasury nor pay the tax on the sale as required by Act No. 167 of the Public Acts of 1933, as amended.
The department of treasury shall determine and pay to the secretary of state reasonable compensation for the collection of the sales tax pursuant to this section.
Source: official Michigan text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan § 257.815
What does Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.815 cover?
Section 257.815 ("Application for registration or for transfer of license; statement of sales tax due; form; copies; exemption; certification; transmitting statement and sales tax funds to department of treasury; issuing or transferring title or license plates on motor vehicle sold by dealer; conditions; compensation for collection of sales tax.") is part of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the codified statutory law of Michigan. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Michigan § 257.815?
A common citation format is "Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.815" (Michigan). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Michigan law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Michigan official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Michigan attorney.
How does Michigan § 257.815 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Michigan can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Michigan.