There is NO so called “wheel tax” in Greenfield!

BACKGROUND

Last year, the City of MILWAUKEE passed an ordinance requiring $20 per vehicle registration for all vehicles kept in the City of Milwaukee.  That $20 fee (a so called "wheel tax") is added to new and renewal registrations and is collected by DOT.

ISSUE

The Department of Transportation does not use the address of the owner as the primary determinant of whom to tax.

On the original registration forms, the owner is asked to provide the location where the vehicle is "kept".  DOT uses this as the primary determining factor in deciding when to apply the $20 fee.  Anyone who stated their vehicle is kept in the City of Milwaukee is automatically assessed the fee.

The problem lies in DOT's 'backup' determining factor.  If the owner did not list the city where the vehicle is kept, DOT uses the zip code as the determining factor.  Because 53215, 53221 etc. are all "MILWAUKEE" zip codes, all residents in those shared zip codes are being assessed the fee. 

We contacted DOT and they advised they are trying to update their computer system to help alleviate problems, but we have received inquiries from citizens who say they have incorrectly been assessed the fee.

As you are aware, Greenfield does not have a wheel tax.  Even if Greenfield residents erroneously pay the fee, all of the money would be given to the City of Milwaukee.

Greenfield residents who inadvertently paid the fee can call DOT at 608-266-1466.

Greenfield residents who have found that they were erroneously assessed the fee (but have not yet paid it) can call the DOT to resolve the issue at 608-266-3666.