BMV Refunds are on the Way for 180,000 Hoosiers

By Alison Wiegand  (Indianapolis, Ind.) -The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) have started issuing claim forms to the 180,000 Hoosiers who are entitled to excise tax refunds dating back over ten years ago. The BMV will issue approximately $29 million in excise tax refunds. The BMV says affected customers will receive a letter in the mail within the next 30 days.  In addition, a pre-printed claim form will be included. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced that the $29 million in refunds are the result of a mistake in which vehicles were improperly classified during registration, resulting in some vehicle owners being charged extra excise taxes. “The BMV will use all reasonable measures to locate everyone entitled to a refund, including follow-up mailings and the use of national databases to locate individuals who may have moved outside of Indiana,” Commissioner, Don Snemis explained. “In addition, the BMV is developing a Web site that will allow anyone entitled to a refund to print a claim form. The Web site will include instructions on where to send the form.” If for some reason, the BMV is unsuccessful locating all people entitled to a refund, the agency will work with the Indiana attorney general’s office and turn those refunds over to the Indiana Unclaimed Property program. “We regret that the error was made, and we are committed to finding and fixing any issues related to fees and taxes,” said Snemis. “The BMV has already taken several steps to enhance institutional controls and minimize the chance of future errors. These will provide clarity and ensure stability in the BMV’s role of administering fees and collecting taxes.” This is not the first mix up that has been discovered within the Indiana BMV recently. Last year, a lawsuit was filed accusing the agency of overcharging and estimated 4.5 million drivers for their licenses between 2007 and 2013. The suit was settled for $30 million – about $3 to $15 for each affected motorist after the attorneys’ take – in July of 2013. RELATED STORIES: BMV Lawsuit Nets $6M For Attorneys Chinese? German? Spanish? Indiana BMV Introducing Driving Tests In 11 Languages