Can I get license plates without paying the purchase tax?

[DelChristian]

You must pay the purchase tax before getting license plates. Because only after paying the tax will the vehicle management office issue license plates. The following is relevant information about the purchase tax:1. Purchase tax: The purchase tax is a tax levied by tax authorities on the acquisition of specified properties and assets within the scope of the purchase tax system.2. Vehicle purchase tax: The vehicle purchase tax is a tax levied on units and individuals who purchase specified vehicles, evolving from the vehicle purchase surcharge.3. Scope of vehicle purchase tax: The taxable scope includes cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles, trailers, and agricultural transport vehicles, with a tax rate of 10%.

[VonCamilla]

When I first bought my new car last year, I also thought about this issue. However, after checking the regulations, I realized that the purchase tax is a mandatory national requirement and simply unavoidable. Without paying the tax, you can't get the tax payment certificate, and the system at the vehicle management office will automatically block your materials when you go to register your car. My buddy didn't believe it and tried to delay paying, but when his temporary license expired, he ended up with a 200-yuan fine. Later, I found out that the tax bureau and the vehicle management office share data, so they can easily check whether you've paid the tax or not. Even if you somehow manage to get an out-of-town license plate, you'll still have to pay the tax and late fees during the annual inspection, which ends up costing more than the original amount. So, it's really not worth trying to save a few thousand yuan on the purchase tax—just pay it early and get your license plate as soon as possible for peace of mind.

[LaMaria]

New car owners, take note: purchase tax and license plate registration are tied together. When I accompanied a relative to the DMV for plate registration, I witnessed someone with all documents except the tax payment proof being turned away at the counter. Among the six required materials at the DMV, the tax payment certificate ranks first. Don't believe me? Check Article 12 of the Vehicle Purchase Tax Law—it clearly states that taxpayers must declare and pay taxes within 60 days of purchase, and vehicle registration can only proceed with the tax payment proof. The policy became stricter last year, with some cities requiring QR code verification of electronic tax receipts. If you hit traffic restrictions with an expired temporary plate and unpaid taxes, your new car will be stuck in the garage. My advice? Visit the tax office on the same day you pick up your car to avoid complications.

[MacRosalie]

I have personal experience with this issue. When I bought my first car, the salesperson urged me to handle the tax payment, but I found it troublesome and delayed it for half a month. At the DMV, after waiting in line for three hours, the staff glanced at my documents and said I was missing the tax payment receipt, sending me back on the spot. The purchase tax is actually calculated at 10% of the car's price—for example, an 80,000 RMB car would incur over 8,000 RMB in taxes. This money goes directly into the national treasury system, and the DMV has no authority to make exceptions. An acquaintance suggested using a broker to bypass the system, but getting caught would mean a triple penalty: impounding the car, back taxes, and fines. My firsthand experience proves that purchase tax and license plate registration are strictly linked—without the former, the latter is absolutely impossible to trigger.