Deduct DMV fees from your taxes

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has created a new Internet option to help vehicle owners determine the amount they paid for registration fees, which are deductible on state and federal income tax returns.

Vehicle registration fee information can be obtained on the DMV website at www.dmv.ca.gov by clicking on the "Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator" button and then by clicking on the "VLF For Tax Purposes" button. After entering the license number of the vehicle in question and the last five digits of the Vehicle Identification Number, the amount of the vehicle license fees paid for 2006 will be displayed. Information for 2005 and 2004 will also be available.

Visitors to the service should understand that license plate registration tags are purchased for the following year. For example, DMV customers bought 2006 tags during the 2005 calendar year.

According to DMV Chief Deputy Director Ken Miyao, the calculator does not display the name of the person who paid the vehicle license fees, only the amount paid.

"The security of our customer's identity is, and has been, our number one priority. It's pretty obvious our customers don't need us to tell them who they are when they access this information," said Miyao.

In an ongoing effort to shorten lines and wait times, DMV reminds customers that most routine services the DMV provides can be handled by mail, and customers can use checks or money orders to pay any necessary fees.

The DMV website also may be accessed to renew vehicle registration and driver licenses, to select personalized license plates, to schedule appointments at specific offices, to request refunds and to check the status of driving school licenses.

If in-person service is necessary, appointments are encouraged by calling the DMV at (800) 9211117 or, again, via its website.

This story provided by StatePoint Media.