Council overrides mayor’s veto on new annual vehicle tax for Marion County

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Marion County vehicle owners will pay a new annual tax starting in 2027 and continuing through 2030.

The Democratic-majority Indianapolis City-County Council had approved the excise tax instead of a vehicle property tax on July 6 to fund road repairs. But Mayor Joe Hogsett, a Democrat, vetoed the measure a week later, arguing a wheel tax would strain residents financially.

Monday night at the City-County Building, the council overrode the mayor’s veto to allow the wheel tax to proceed.

Owners will pay a flat $100 annual fee on most cars, trucks and SUVs registered in Marion County and under 11,000 pounds. Larger vehicles registered in Marion County will face a $240 annual fee.

The council aims to raise $50 million to receive a $50 million state grant for road repairs.

Indiana residents in counties with wheel taxes — more than half of the state’s 92 counties — pay these fees during their standard vehicle registration renewal.