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Governor Eric J. Holcomb
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Watercraft Fees & Taxes

Whether registering your watercraft for the first time or renewing your registration, you will need to pay the following fees and taxes:

  • Watercraft Registration Fee

    A watercraft registration fee is charged when the boat is registered for the first time in in Indiana and is charged each time the watercraft changes ownership. The fee amount due is determined by the sum of a fee based on watercraft length plus a fee based on the Excise Class.

    Fee Based on Length 
    0' to 12' $15.00
    13' to 25' $18.00
    26' to 39' $21.00
    40'+ $24.00
    Fee Based on Excise Class
    $0-999 Class 1 to 2 $5.00
    $1000-2999 Class 3 to 5 $10.00
    $3000-4999 Class 6 $15.00
    $5000-9999 Class 7 to 8 $20.00
    $10000+ Class 9 to 14 $25.00

    *Watercraft values are the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) when the watercraft was new.

  • Watercraft Registration Renewal Fee

    A Watercraft Registration Renewal Fee is charged each time the watercraft registration is renewed. The amount due is determined by the Excise Class.

    Fee Based on Excise Class  
    $0-499 Class 1 $15.00
    $500-999 Class 2 $15.00
    $1000-1499 Class 3 $20.00
    $1500-1999 Class 4 $20.00
    $2000-2999 Class 5 $20.00
    $3000-4999Class 6$25.00
    $5000-7499Class 7$30.00
    $7500-9999Class 8$30.00
    $10000-14999Class 9$35.00
    $15000-22499Class 10$40.00
    $22500-34999Class 11$45.00
    $35000-49999Class 12$50.00
    $50000-74999Class 13$55.00
    $75000+Class 14$60.00

    *Watercraft values are the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) when the watercraft was new.

  • Boat Excise Tax & Boat Excise Storage Tax

    Boat Excise Tax

    Customers operating their watercraft on Indiana waterways must also pay an boat excise tax. This is paid annually when the watercraft is registered.

    The amount of this tax is based on the watercraft class and age. The age of a watercraft is measured in years and is counted from the manufacturer's model year. The class of a watercraft is based on the watercraft price as determined by the manufacturer's original retail price when the boat was new.

    Boat Class 1
    $0-499    		 Class 2
    $500-999    		 Class 3
    $1000-1499    		 Class 4
    $1500-1999    		 Class 5
    $2000-2999    		 Class 6
    $3000-4999    		 Class 7
    $5000-7499    		 Class 8
    $7500-9999    		 Class 9
    $10000-14999    		 Class 10
    $1500-22499    		 Class 11
    $22500-34999    		 Class 12
    $35000-49999    		 Class 13
    $50000-74999    		 Class 14
    $75000+
    1 2.00 6.00 20.00 30.00 42.00 55.00 70.00 88.00 110.00 150.00 200.00 275.00 375.00 500.00
    2 2.00 6.00 18.00 27.00 38.00 50.00 63.00 80.00 99.00 135.00 180.00 248.00 338.00 450.00
    3 2.00 6.00 16.00 24.00 34.00 44.00 56.00 71.00 88.00 120.00 160.00 220.00 300.00 400.00
    4 2.00 6.00 14.00 21.00 30.00 39.00 49.00 62.00 77.00 105.00 140.00 193.00 263.00 350.00
    5 2.00 6.00 12.00 18.00 26.00 33.00 42.00 53.00 66.00 90.00 120.00 165.00 225.00 300.00
    6 2.00 6.00 10.00 15.00 21.00 28.00 35.00 44.00 55.00 75.00 100.00 138.00 188.00 250.00
    7 2.00 6.00 10.00 15.00 21.00 28.00 35.00 44.00 55.00 75.00 100.00 138.00 188.00 250.00
    8 2.00 6.00 10.00 15.00 21.00 28.00 35.00 44.00 55.00 75.00 100.00 138.00 188.00 250.00
    9 2.00 6.00 10.00 15.00 21.00 28.00 35.00 44.00 55.00 75.00 100.00 138.00 188.00 250.00
    10 2.00 6.00 10.00 15.00 21.00 28.00 35.00 44.00 55.00 75.00 100.00 138.00 188.00 250.00

    Boat Excise Storage Tax

    If a watercraft is held in storage rather than used on the waterways, a flat boat excise tax of $12 is owed. To declare that your watercraft has been placed in storage and pay excise storage tax rather than boat excise tax, you must present a copy of the storage contract or receipt from a storage facility. The contract or receipt must have a description of the watercraft (Year, Make, and Model and HIN). No watercraft decals are issued.

  • Excise Tax Credits/Refunds for Watercrafts Sold or Destroyed

    If you have sold or destroyed (total loss) a watercraft, you may apply to receive a credit/refund of a portion of the Indiana boat excise taxes by submitting Application for Boat Excise Tax Credit / Refund – State Form 23389.

    Only watercraft charged Boat Excise Tax are eligible to receive a Boat Excise tax credit or refund. Proof that the watercraft was sold, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of is required in order to apply for a credit or refund. The documents that may be used as proof include, but are not limited to:

    • Bill of Sale – Must contain the name of purchaser, date of sale, hull identification number (HIN), selling price, and signature of the seller.
    • Certificate of Gross Retail or Use Tax (ST-108) – State Form 48842 – Must be completed by dealer and show the watercraft was traded in.
    • Copy of assigned title, front and back.
    • A statement from the insurance company that states the watercraft was a total loss. The statement must include the watercraft's HIN.
  • Excise Tax Credits/Refunds for Watercrafts Registered in a Different State

    If you have a watercraft that is registered in a different state, you may apply to receive a credit/refund of a portion of the Indiana boat excise taxes by submitting an Application for Boat Excise Tax Credit / Refund – State Form 23389.

    Only Watercrafts charged Boat Excise Tax are eligible to receive a Boat Excise tax credit or refund. Proof that the watercraft was sold, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of is required in order to apply for a credit or refund. The documents that may be used as proof include, but are not limited to:

    • A copy of the watercraft’s certificate of registration.
    • A registration receipt from the new state of registration.