The Washington State Department of Transportation is going after owners who haven’t paid their yearly aircraft registration fees and excise taxes. The state is going after accounts dating back to 2006.
Each year general aviation aircraft based in Washington State are required to pay an aircraft registration fee and excise tax, which varies by aircraft type. For example, WSDOT collects a $15 annual registration fee and a $50 annual excise tax for a single engine aircraft. Approximately 5,900 aircraft are registered with the state.
In 2005 WSDOT was authorized by law to enforce late penalties on aircraft registrations that were 60 days or more past due. The penalties start at $100 for registrations that are 60 days past due, $200 for those 120 days past due, and $400 for those 180 days past due.
According to officials, the department conducted an “extensive” outreach effort through letters, e-mails, and telephone calls while crossing checking customer information through the FAA database. “Unfortunately, approximately 168 delinquent aircraft accounts remain outstanding,” officials noted. “As a result, in September these accounts will be forwarded to the Attorney General’s office for follow-up action.”
Aircraft registration fees and a portion of the excise taxes are returned to WSDOT Aviation to fund such programs as state airport aid, air search & rescue, and state managed airports. For more information: WSDOT.wa.gov
