JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Drivers often cringe at the thought of buying car tags, especially if you live in Hinds county. But according to the county tax collector, many residents aren't paying what they actually owe.
Not registering in the proper county takes millions of dollars from Hinds County's funds.
The tax office reports that the county loses $2 to $4 million a year in license plate revenue. That's because many people coming into the area do not renew their tags.
Officials said motorists can avoid paying the proper registration for years.
"We've got some who have tags and have no intentions of paying. Some of them just live here and buy tags some place else because they're cheaper," said Hind County Tax Collector Eddie Fair.
If you move from out of state to Mississippi, you have 30 days to obtain a tag in that county. When moving from county to county, you have one year or until the time of that current tag's expiration to renew your tag. The exceptions are people in the armed forces or students attending schools, colleges or universities.
Hinds county officials said the biggest violators come from Madison and Rankin Counties.
"You pay the highest amount for your tag for the simple reason there's more schools in Hinds County that we have to support than any other county," explained Fair.
Fair is petitioning Hinds County Supervisors to hire a field investigator at a cost of $36,000.00 a year to search for residents in violation. Fair said a worker patrolling apartments and other areas could recoup up to $4 million a year for the department.
"The only way we catch them now is if someone else turns them in, and we have people turning people in, your neighbor, your friend, your co-worker who gets upset with you," added the tax collector.
Officials say fines are $500 to $18,000 per vehicle depending upon the type of vehicle and length of violation.
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