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Aircraft tax · United States

Wisconsin aircraft sales and use tax

Wisconsin charges 5 percent state sales or use tax on aircraft, plus county tax where adopted, including on most private sales. Aircraft parts and repair labor are exempt, flight instruction billed separately is not taxed, and aircraft based in the state pay a registration fee by weight in place of property tax.

Every answer below quotes the state's own source. Last checked October 18, 2026. Estimate the tax on your aircraft

Do you pay sales tax on an aircraft bought in Wisconsin?

Taxed. 5 percent state sales tax on the sale of an aircraft, plus 0.5 percent county tax in counties that adopt it. An occasional sale between private parties is taxable too, unless it is to a close family member and the aircraft was already registered in Wisconsin to the seller.

  • For the privilege of selling, licensing, leasing or renting tangible personal property at retail a tax is imposed upon all retailers at the rate of 5 percent of the sales price from the sale, license, lease or rental of tangible personal property sold, licensed, leased or rented at retail in this state

    Wisconsin Statutes, Wis. Stat. 77.52(1)(a) · checked October 18, 2026

  • The rate of the tax imposed under this subsection is 0.5 percent of the sales price or purchase price.

    Wisconsin Statutes, Wis. Stat. 77.70(1) · checked October 18, 2026

  • The occasional sale of an aircraft in Wisconsin is taxable unless one of the following applies:

    Wisconsin Administrative Code, Tax 11.84(1)(b) · checked October 18, 2026

  • The transfer is to the spouse, parent, stepparent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, stepchild, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law of the transferor; the aircraft was previously registered or titled in Wisconsin in the transferor’s name, if required to be registered or titled; and the transferor is not engaged in the business of selling aircraft.

    Wisconsin Administrative Code, Tax 11.84(1)(b)1. · checked October 18, 2026

Do you owe use tax on an aircraft bought outside Wisconsin?

Depends. Use tax applies to aircraft registered or customarily hangared in Wisconsin, even if also flown elsewhere, and is paid at registration if not already paid. Sales or use tax paid to other states is credited. A new resident's personal aircraft bought 90 days or more before the move is exempt.

  • The tax applies to aircraft registered or customarily hangared or both in Wisconsin, even though the aircraft also may be used out-of-state.

    Wisconsin Administrative Code, Tax 11.84(1)(c) · checked October 18, 2026

  • If the purchase of an aircraft subject to Wisconsin use taxes was subject to a sales or use tax in the state in which the purchase was made or in a state where the aircraft was stored, used, or consumed prior to being stored, used, or consumed in Wisconsin, the amount of the sales or use taxes paid to the other state or states shall be applied as a credit against and deducted from, to the extent thereof, the Wisconsin state and county use

    Wisconsin Administrative Code, Tax 11.84(1)(c) · checked October 18, 2026

  • The use tax does not apply to aircraft for an individual’s personal use purchased by a nonresident outside this state 90 days or more before bringing the aircraft into Wisconsin in connection with a change of domicile to this state.

    Wisconsin Administrative Code, Tax 11.84(1)(d) · checked October 18, 2026

What aircraft sales tax exemptions does Wisconsin have?

Depends. Exempt: aircraft sold to certificated carriers of persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce, and aircraft sold to nonresidents who use them in Wisconsin only to remove them or to have them repaired or maintained. Holding an airworthiness certificate alone does not qualify an owner as a carrier.

  • Aircraft, including accessories, attachments, and fuel for such aircraft, sold to persons using the aircraft as certified or licensed carriers of persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce under authority of the laws of the United States or any foreign government, or sold to any foreign government for use by such government outside this state.

    Wisconsin Statutes, Wis. Stat. 77.54(5)(a)1. · checked October 18, 2026

  • Aircraft, including attachments for such aircraft, sold to persons who are not residents of this state and who will not use such aircraft in this state otherwise than in the removal of such aircraft from this state or in the repair, service, alteration, fitting, cleaning, painting, coating, towing, inspection, and maintenance of such aircraft in this state.

    Wisconsin Statutes, Wis. Stat. 77.54(5)(a)2. · checked October 18, 2026

  • This exemption does not apply to persons with air worthiness certificates which indicate certain safety standards have been met, if they do not otherwise qualify.

    Wisconsin Administrative Code, Tax 11.84(3)(a) · checked October 18, 2026

Are aircraft rentals taxed in Wisconsin?

Taxed. Leases and rentals of aircraft are taxable. Carrying passengers or cargo for hire, where the customer picks only the departure time and destination and the owner keeps control of the aircraft, is not taxable. Hangar and tie-down parking is taxable.

Is flight instruction taxed in Wisconsin?

Depends. Flight instruction is not taxable when the instruction fee is stated separately from the aircraft rental charge. The aircraft rental itself is taxable.

Are aircraft parts and maintenance labor taxed in Wisconsin?

Exempt. Parts used to modify or repair aircraft, including built-in avionics, tires and spark plugs, are exempt, and so are charges for repair, inspection and maintenance of any aircraft. Supplies such as engine oil, hydraulic fluid and deicing fluid stay taxable. No exemption certificate is needed.

Does Wisconsin register or tax aircraft every year?

Taxed. Aircraft based in Wisconsin register with the Department of Transportation by weight, in place of property tax. Aircraft of 3,000 pounds or less pay every two years, $60 up to 2,000 pounds, $78 up to 2,500 and $100 up to 3,000; heavier aircraft pay yearly, $70 up to 3,500 pounds rising to $3,125 over 100,000. Antique and amateur-built aircraft pay a one-time $50.

AerScheduler can add sales tax, at the rates you set, to the invoices you raise for parts, labor and other charges, taxing only the lines your state taxes. How it works

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