JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi taxpayers are facing some of the steepest vehicle registration costs in the country, according to a new report released by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor. The study reveals that car tag fees in the Magnolia State are the second-highest in the United States, with annual costs frequently climbing above $1,000.
Beyond the high price tag, State Auditor Shad White highlighted a lack of transparency that leaves many residents unable to predict their annual expenses.
“Taxpayers all over the state have talked to me about how complex and expensive it is to get a car tag,” White said. “They complain for a good reason: it’s hard for the average family to know how and why that bill is so big when they pay it.”
A Hidden Formula
The Auditor’s Office found that the process for calculating fees is notoriously difficult for the public to navigate. Key components of the pricing formula remain unpublished, making it nearly impossible for a vehicle owner to estimate their bill before arriving at the tax collector’s office.
Significant barriers to transparency identified in the report include:
Unpublished Rebates: The Legislative Tag Credit, which often covers half the cost of a tag, is not listed online.
Hidden Depreciation: The state does not publish the depreciation schedule used to value vehicles over time.
Geographic Disparity: Because millage rates vary by municipality and county, two residents owning the same vehicle model could pay drastically different amounts if they live just a few miles apart.
New Tools for Taxpayers
In response to these findings, the Office of the State Auditor has compiled the full pricing formula along with a comprehensive list of 2024-2025 millage rates across the state. This initiative aims to provide Mississippians with a clearer understanding of how their specific fees are calculated.
The complete report, titled “Car Tag,” is currently available to the public on the Auditor’s official website under the “Reports” tab.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
