The registration fees you pay are made up of several different components. One of them is property tax, usually called a “county fee.” To request a refund of property taxes or fees, you must contact your local county assessor.
The rest of the components are considered your registration fees. Registration fees are refundable in very limited circumstances. Submitting a claim for refund does not guarantee the refund will be approved.
According to UCA Sec. 41-1a-215, a registration is for 12 months. Once a vehicle is registered, no refund is allowed (in whole or in part) even if the vehicle is sold, traded in, relocated or becomes inoperable before the end of the registration period. The following examples provide common circumstances under which registration fees may be refundable:
- If you renew a vehicle that was previously sold (mistaking it for another vehicle), your refund may be approved if you provide a bill of sale which includes: the date of sale, VIN, and seller and purchaser information. (The date of sale must be prior to the date you renewed the vehicle.)
- If your registration expires in August (as an example), and you pay your renewal fees prior to the expiration date (August 31st), your refund may be approved if you provide proof that the vehicle was sold, traded-in, or inoperable August 31st or prior. Your request must be made within six months of payment date.
If the vehicle is in use when the new registration period begins (September 1st as an example), the fees are not refundable.
To request a refund of fees paid to the DMV, visit Utah’s Motor Vehicle Portal. Submitting a claim for refund does not guarantee the refund will be approved. Upon receipt of your request and the supporting documentation, the Division will review the refund request. If a refund is approved, the Division will issue a refund check to the address provided. If a refund is denied, the Division will issue a letter explaining the reason for the denial. Please allow 6–8 weeks from the date received for processing.