Skip to content

New tax exemption policy affects Soo Tribe members

NEWS RELEASE SAULT TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS ************************* New state tax exemption policy in effect SAULT STE.
SooTribe

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS

************************* New state tax exemption policy in effect

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - Effective September 1, 2007, all enrolled Sault Tribe members residing in the tax agreement area, and thus eligible to receive tax refunds under the state-tribe tax agreement, must now request a “tax exemption certificate” prior to initiating a significant transaction or purchase that would entitle a tribal member to a Michigan sales tax refund or exemption.

The tax “refund” policy has changed to an exemption, which has resulted in the replacement of tax form 3996 with tax “exemption” form 3998.

The refund system required tribal members to pay taxes up front, submit a tax form, and then wait several months to receive a refund on the sales tax.

Under the new exemption policy, tribal members will no longer be required to pay for Michigan sales taxes on tax-exempt items at the time of purchase.

This new policy specifically applies to the sales and use tax for purchases of a vehicle, modular/mobile homes, building materials/home improvements, treaty commercial fishing expenses and taxes paid on tangible personal property acquired within tribal and trust lands for commercial use.

All other provisions of the current tax agreement will remain in effect.

Tribal members are still required to submit the 4013 tax form when filing their income taxes if they wish to obtain the annual sales and use tax refund.

The new exemption policy now in effect requires tribal members to obtain and complete a “Tribal Certificate of Exemption for Sales and Use Tax (Form 3998)” prior to a tax exempt purchase.

Following the submission of a completed 3998 form, and as long as the tribal member is qualified to receive a tax exemption, a signed “letter of authorization or tax exemption certificate” will be issued.

The original certificate must then be provided to the seller/vendor prior to the purchase or at the time of purchase.

A copy of the certificate must also be retained by the purchaser.

A signed “letter of authorization or tax exemption certificate” issued by the Sault Tribe waives a tribal member’s obligation to provide payment of state sales taxes during the time of the purchase.

The tribal member must be eligible under the current tax agreement to lawfully receive a letter of authorization or tax exemption certificate.

The tribal member must provide the Sault Tribe Tax Office with the seller’s contact information, the purchaser’s contact information, and specific details of the item to be purchased, all of which is required on the 3998 tax form.

The only way to obtain a 3998 tax form is to contact Candace Blocher from the Sault Tribe Tax Office at (906) 632-6281 or (906) 635-6050.

Tax refunds under the old system are still being processed during this transition period; however, the processing of refunds via the 3996 form will most likely be discontinued and may occur without notice.

To avoid any tax refund/exemption complications or delays, tribal members are instructed to begin using the new tax exemption process immediately by submitting a 3998 form prior to initiating a purchase that qualifies for a tax exemption.

Tax Office Coordinator Candace Blocher stated, “As long as tribal members call the tribal tax office, use the new form, and process their tax paperwork prior to making a major purchase; eligible tribal members shouldn’t encounter any problems.

According to the new procedure, tribal members must complete the tax paperwork and obtain a tax exemption certificate before paying for the tax exempt item.”

For more information regarding the 3998 tax form, or to obtain specific information on tax exemptions related to tangible personal property to be affixed to real estate by a contractor (i.e. construction materials) please visit the Sault Tribe’s official web site at SaultTribe.com or visit Michigan.gov/treasury.

*************************


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.