All
watercraft operated on the waters within the jurisdiction of this
State shall be registered and titled.
STATE
LAW REQUIRES THAT THE PURCHASER OF A WATERCRAFT SHALL, WITHIN 15
DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, MAKE APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR REGISTRATION/TITLING.
Watercraft
exempted from registration and titling: Watercraft shall
not be required to be registered and titled under this Act if it
is:
A watercraft
which has a valid marine document issued by the United States
Coast Guard, EXCEPT THAT any such documented
vessel used upon the waters of this State for more than 60 days
in any calendar year shall be registered in compliance with this
Act.
Already covered
by a number in full force and effect from another state, if such
boat will not be within this State for a period in excess of 60
consecutive days.
A sailboard.
A watercraft
from a country other than the United States temporarily using
the waters of the State.
A watercraft
owned by the United States, a state or subdivision thereof, used
solely for official purposes, and clearly identifiable.
A vessel
used exclusively as a ship's lifeboat.
Watercraft
while competing in any race approved by the Department,
or if the watercraft is designed and intended solely for racing
while engaged in navigation that is incidental to preparation
of the watercraft for the race. Preparation of the watercraft
for the race may be accomplished only after obtaining
the written authorization of the Department.
Non-powered
watercraft owned and operated on water completely impounded on
land belonging to the owner of the watercraft. This does not apply
to waters controlled by a club or association.
A canoe or
kayak which is owned by an organization which is organized and
conducted on a not-for-profit basis with no personal profit inuring
to anyone as a result of the operation.
Notice: 2012 Watercraft Decals will NOT BE available until late February.
Estimated
Processing Times for Watercraft Applications as of January 12, 2009:
Internet
or phone-in renewals - 8 weeks
Mail-in 1/2
sheet pre-printed renewal notices - 8 weeks from date of receipt.
Post
Office Mail:
Long
form Watercraft Registration/Title Applications - Processing
mail received December 8 through December 12, 2008. The TEMPORARY PERMIT copy of the application is
valid for 120 days, from the date the application is signed,
for use of your watercraft. (This includes the following transactions:
New, transfer renewals, Renewals, Duplicate and Corrected
Titles, Duplicate and Corrected Registration Cards and Duplicate
Decals).
RENEW
YOUR ILLINOIS WATERCRAFT REGISTRATION BY PHONE OR INTERNET
Watercraft
owners are able to renew their watercraft registrations by using
a touch-tone telephone or the Internet. This convenient service
operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Before using this
service, you are reminded that you need your Illinois registration
number and hull identification number (located on your registration
card), and a pen and paper to record your confirmation number.
Accepted forms of payment include VISA, Mastercard, Discover,
American Express and E-Check.
Upon
completion of your transaction you will receive a confirmation
number that will authorize you to immediately use your watercraft on Illinois waters.
This is especially helpful if your current registration and decals
have expired. If you have moved since your last registration,
the system will allow you to enter your new address. Your new
registration certificate and decals will be mailed to you within
about two weeks. If a law enforcement officer needs to verify
a registration renewal, the system is set up to acknowledge the
transaction when the officer enters the registration confirmation
number through a special security system accessed through a touch-tone
phone.
All
information supplied to this service regarding registration and
credit card information is guaranteed to be protected for your
privacy. A convenience fee will be added to the regular registration
fee to offset the cost of the transaction.
If
you experience problems renewing your registration on-line or
by phone please call IDNR's Watercraft Registration/Title Office
at 1-800-382-1696 or 217-557-0180.
If
your record is not found it may be due to one of the following
reasons:
The
registration is not yet expired.
Registration
number and hull identification number do not match. You
may be entering the registration number and hull id number
incorrectly. (If your registration consists of 3 numbers
and 2 letters instead of 4 numbers and 2 letters then you must
enter a zero in front of the number). The registration number
and hull id number are listed on your registration card, title,
renewal notice, or physically inspect your watercraft for the
correct numbers.
120 Day Temporary Permit - Owner(s) signature on the
Temporary Permit copy affirms that a proper Watercraft application
has been submitted to the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources
and, accordingly is permitted to operate the watercraft under
this Temporary Permit for a period of 120 days from date of application
subject to all provisions of the Illinois Boat Registration and
Safety Act. You must carry this document on your person while
operating the watercraft until the Registration Card is received.
Tax
Requirement on Watercraft Tax Information - Tax
Notice - Watercraft purchased new or used from manufacturer's
lending institutions or dealers are subject to tax. Effective September
1, 2004 tax is owed when a watercraft (class 2,3,4 and personal watercraft
[PWC], i.e. jet-skis) is acquired by gift, donation, transfer, or
non-retail purchase if the watercraft will be used in Illinois. You
must contact the IL Dept. of Revenue at 1-800-732-8866 or 217-782-3336
for instructions before submitting an application.
Power
of Attorney Form - (.pdf) If the previous owner does not have the Illinois Watercraft title
Small
Estate Affidavit Form - (.pdf ) If the party the watercraft
has been purchased/received from is deceased
Change
your address on your Watercraft registration - Please
note: It is not necessary to submit this change of
address form if you changed your address while applying online or
by phone for a renewal of your registration. (Note: AOL
users sometimes experience problems with this e-mail site)
United
States Coast Guard
National Vessel Documentation Center
792 T J Jackson Drive
Falling Waters, WV 25419
(304) 271-2400
(800) 799-8362
FAX: (304) 271-2405
*IL Dept. of Revenue Information: Tax
Requirement on Watercraft (Forms
for boat use tax are multi-part (carbon) forms and cannot be faxed
or downloaded. These forms are generally obtained from a dealership
or currency exchange. If you need to obtain the form prior to registering
your boat, you can request copies to be mailed to you by calling the
Illinois Department of Revenue's 24-hour Forms Order at 1-800-356-6302.
Q.
What is my tax obligation when I apply for title or registration
in Illinois?
A.
At the time you apply for an Illinois title or registration with
the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for a watercraft you
purchased or leased, you are required to submit either payment of
tax or proof that no tax is due before your watercraft
can be titled or registered.
The
Illinois Department of Revenue is responsible for administering
the collection of tax and providing the necessary tax forms. You
must make separate payments for tax due and title and/or registration
fees. Make your tax payment payable to the Illinois Department of
Revenue and your payment for title fees payable to the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources.
Note:
Failing to title or register the item does not prevent the Department
of Revenue from imposing the tax due on the purchase.
Q.
Which forms are used for paying Illinois tax on watercraft and snowmobiles?
A.
One of three forms must be used to pay tax or prove that no tax
is due:
Form
RUT-25, Use Tax Transaction Return, due no later than
30 days after the date the watercraft or snowmobile is brought
into Illinois or the date of purchase from an out-of-state dealer
or retailer, lending institution, or leasing company selling at
retail.
Form
RUT-75, Aircraft/Watercraft Use Tax Transaction Return,
due no later than 30 days after the date the watercraft is brought
into Illinois or the date the watercraft is brought into Illinois,
whichever is later, if acquired by gift, transfer, donation,
or non-retail purchase.
Form
RUT ST-556, Sales Tax Transaction Return, due no later
than 20 days after the date of delivery of the watercraft if purchased
from an Illinois dealer or leasing company.
Note:
For More detailed information, refer to the instructions provided
with each return.
Q.
How do I get tax forms?
A.
You can obtain tax forms by
requesting
them from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, where
you are applying for title
calling
the IL Dept. of Revenue 24-hour Forms Order Line at 1 800 356 6302
writing
the IL Dept. of Revenue, PO Box 19010, Springfield IL
62794-9010
Q.
How do I get tax help?
A.
You can get tax help by
calling the
IL Dept. of Revenue Taxpayer Assistance Division at 1 800 732 8866
or 217 782 3336
calling
the IL Dept. of RevenueTDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) at 1
800 544 5304
writing
to Illinois Department of Revenue, PO Box 19044, Springfield IL
62794-9044
PASSENGER
& RENTAL BOAT LICENSE INFORMATION & APPLICATIONS
Any person engaging in the business of operating a boat or boats
carrying passengers for hire, or renting a boat or boats for hire
must first obtain a license from the Department. Boats are subject
to inspection requirements. License are renewable each year on March
1st and are valid for one year or portion of a year to March 1st.
The
fee for an annual license to operate a boat for carrying passengers
for hire shall be $50 for each boat.
The
fee for an annual license for engaging in the business of renting
boats for hire is $30, plus an annual fee for each boat rented depending
on the length of the boat (see application for fee information).
The
Department will furnish to the licensee a license which must be
displayed in the place of business or upon the boat if only one
boat is involved. In addition to the license the Department will
furnish a decal for each boat licensed.
RENEW
YOUR ILLINOIS WATERCRAFT REGISTRATION BY PHONE OR INTERNET
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