Information from the County Attorney's Office
By Steven J. Franzen, Campbell County Attorney
A common problem we have in Northern Kentucky is people who move into Kentucky but fail to transfer their vehicles into Kentucky. Worse still, many do this intentionally to avoid taxes and other costs associated with transferring and maintaining a vehicle in Kentucky. This activity is illegal and hurts all Kentuckians.
Kentucky law requires the registration of a motor vehicle within fifteen (15) days from the date the vehicle is brought into Kentucky for use. As part of the registration, a six (6) percent motor vehicle usage tax is levied on motor vehicles based on the value of the vehicle for the privilege of operating on Kentucky highways.
The taxes collected from registering motor vehicles is used primarily to maintain Kentucky roads and approximately sixty (60) percent of the tax is returned for local government and school use.
To help combat the problem, the Kentucky Department of Revenue has setup the “Freddie Freeloader Program” where citizens can provide tips on Kentucky residents who are evading the system by not registering their vehicles in Kentucky. You can report a tip by calling 1-800-882-8990 or online at: https://revenue.ky.gov/Property/Pages/Report-Out-of-State-Plate.aspx.
If you have any topics you would like to have covered in this column, please contact my office by e-mail at countyattorney@campbellcountyky.org, by phone at 491-7700 or by regular mail addressed to 319 York Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071.