360.55 EXEMPTIONS.

§

Subdivision 1.Nonresident, noncommercial operator.

Subject to the exceptions set forth in section 360.532, any aircraft owned by a nonresident of this state and transiently or temporarily using the air space overlying this state or the airports thereof shall be exempt from taxation under the provisions of sections 360.511 to 360.67 unless it uses the air space overlying this state or the airports thereof for more than 60 days in any fiscal year. The operation of an aircraft in the air space overlying this state or the use of airports within this state for any purpose at any time during one day shall be considered as use for one complete day. Aircraft owned by nonresidents, on the ground at an airport in this state for major repairs, shall not be considered as using the airports of this state while being repaired and while awaiting return to the nonresident owner; provided however, such waiting period shall not exceed 60 days from completion of the repairs. §

Subd. 2.Transacting official business.

Aircraft owned and used solely in the transaction of official business by representatives of foreign powers, by the federal government, or by the state or any municipality thereof are exempt from the provisions of sections 360.54 to 360.67 requiring the payment of a tax, but all such aircraft, except those owned by representatives of foreign powers or by the federal government, must be registered as required by sections 360.54 to 360.67. The exemption herein provided does not apply to any aircraft except those owned by representatives of foreign powers or by the federal government and except those aircraft as may be used in general police work, unless the name of the state department or the municipality owning the aircraft is plainly printed on both sides thereof in letters of a size and character to be prescribed by the commissioner. §

Subd. 3.Civil Air Patrol.

Any aircraft owned and used solely in the transaction of official business by any unit of the Civil Air Patrol under United States Code, title 36, chapter 403, whether or not the title to the aircraft is retained by the federal government or vested in such unit unconditionally, is exempt from the provisions of sections 360.54 to 360.57 requiring the payment of tax, but all such aircraft must be registered as required by sections 360.54 to 360.57. §

Subd. 4.Collector’s aircraft.

(a) For purposes of this subdivision:

(1) “antique aircraft” means an aircraft constructed by the original manufacturer, or its licensee, on or before December 31, 1945, with the exception of certain pre-World War II aircraft models that had only a small postwar production, such as Beechcraft Staggerwing, Fairchild 24, and Monocoupe; and

(2) “classic aircraft” means an aircraft constructed by the original manufacturer, or its licensee, on or after January 1, 1946, and has a first year of life that precedes the date of registration by at least 50 years.

(b) If an antique or classic aircraft is owned and operated solely as a collector’s item, its owner must list it for taxation and registration and execute an electronic attestation or sworn affidavit stating:

(1) the name and address of the owner;

(2) the name and address of the seller;

(3) the aircraft’s make, year, model number, federal aircraft registration number, and manufacturer’s identification number; and

(4) that the aircraft is owned and operated solely as a collector’s item and not for general transportation or commercial operations purposes.

The electronic attestation or sworn affidavit must be submitted to the commissioner along with a fee of $25.

(c) Upon satisfaction that the electronic attestation or sworn affidavit is true and correct, the commissioner must issue a registration certificate to the applicant. The registration certificate is valid without renewal as long as the owner operates the aircraft solely as a collector’s item.

(d) If an antique or classic aircraft is operated other than as a collector’s item, the registration certificate becomes void and the owner must list the aircraft for taxation and registration under sections 360.511 to 360.67.

(e) Upon the sale of an antique or classic aircraft, the new owner must list the aircraft for taxation and registration in accordance with this subdivision, including the payment of a $5 fee to transfer the registration to the new owner, under sections 360.511 to 360.67, whichever is applicable. §

Subd. 4a.Recreational aircraft; classic license.

(a) An aircraft that has a base price for tax purposes under section 360.531 of $10,000 or less and is owned and operated solely for recreational purposes may be listed for taxation and registration by executing an electronic attestation or sworn affidavit stating:

(1) the name and address of the owner;

(2) the name and address of the seller;

(3) the aircraft’s make, year, model number, federal aircraft registration number, and manufacturer’s identification number; and

(4) that the aircraft is owned and operated solely as a recreational aircraft and not for commercial operational purposes.

The electronic attestation or sworn affidavit must be submitted to the commissioner along with an annual $25 fee.

(b) Upon satisfaction that the electronic attestation or sworn affidavit is true and correct, the commissioner must issue a registration certificate to the applicant.

(c) If the aircraft is operated other than as a recreational aircraft, the owner must list the aircraft for taxation and registration and pay the appropriate registration fee under sections 360.511 to 360.67.

(d) If the aircraft is sold, the new owner must list the aircraft for taxation and registration under this subdivision, including the payment of the annual $25 fee, or under sections 360.511 to 360.67, whichever is applicable. §

Subd. 5.Substitute aircraft.

If an aircraft registered with the state of Minnesota is temporarily removed from service for a period not to exceed 30 days for maintenance and repair, and a like or similar aircraft is substituted for it, the substituted aircraft is exempt from the Minnesota aircraft registration tax during the period of substitution. The exemption is only permitted if the principal aircraft is removed from the state for maintenance and repair. The exemption is not permitted if the principal aircraft is removed from service in the state for scheduling or other purposes.

The owner of the principal aircraft shall notify the commissioner of transportation of the identity of the principal aircraft being removed from the state, the date of removal, and the date that the principal aircraft being removed is returned to service in the state of Minnesota. Similar information shall be reported to the commissioner regarding the substituted aircraft. The information shall be delivered to the commissioner within five days after removal of the principal aircraft and within five days after the substitution of the substitute aircraft, as the case may be. No refunds of aircraft registration taxes shall be made for principal aircraft removed from the state in accordance with this subdivision. §

Subd. 6.Hot air balloon.

Any hot air balloon shall be registered for an annual registration fee of $25. The registration fee is in lieu of the taxes provided for in sections 360.511 to 360.67. For the purpose of this subdivision, hot air balloon means any lighter-than-air aircraft that is not engine driven. §

Subd. 7.

MS 2012 [Repealed, 2014 c 227 art 1 s 23] §

Subd. 8.Agricultural aircraft.

Aircraft registered with the Federal Aviation Administration as restricted category aircraft used for agricultural purposes must be listed for taxation and registration. The owner must execute and submit an annual electronic attestation or sworn affidavit to the commissioner. The electronic attestation or sworn affidavit must state:

(1) the name and address of the owner;

(2) the name and address of the seller;

(3) the aircraft’s make, year, model number, federal registration number, and manufacturer’s identification number; and

(4) that the aircraft is owned and operated solely for agricultural operations and purposes.

The owner must submit an electronic attestation or a sworn affidavit to the commissioner and pay an annual fee established under sections 360.511 to 360.67, which must not exceed $500. If the aircraft is operated other than for agricultural purposes, the owner must list the aircraft for taxation and registration under sections 360.511 to 360.67. If the aircraft is sold, the new owner must list the aircraft for taxation and registration under this subdivision or under sections 360.511 to 360.67, as applicable. §

Subd. 9.Small unmanned aircraft systems.

(a) Any small unmanned aircraft system in which the unmanned aircraft weighs less than 55 pounds at takeoff, including payload and anything affixed to the aircraft, either:

(1) must be registered in the state for an annual fee of $25; or

(2) is not subject to registration or an annual fee if the unmanned aircraft system is owned and operated solely for recreational purposes.

(b) An unmanned aircraft system that meets the requirements under paragraph (a) is exempt from aircraft registration tax under sections 360.511 to 360.67. §

Subd. 10.Coordinated unmanned aircraft system fleets.

(a) An operator planning to conduct a coordinated unmanned aircraft event must register the fleet of small unmanned aircraft systems at least 15 days before the event. Registration under this subdivision must be in the manner specified by the commissioner.

(b) The registration must include:

(1) the name and contact information of the event organizer;

(2) the date, time, and location of the event;

(3) the number of small unmanned aircraft systems to be used;

(4) proof of liability insurance for the small unmanned aircraft systems;

(5) a copy of the operator’s small unmanned aircraft system pilot’s license; and

(6) a copy of the commercial operator’s license.

(c) A daily registration fee of $2 per small unmanned aircraft system used in the fleet applies to fleets registered under this subdivision. The fee is in lieu of the registration fee in subdivision 9. A fleet registered under this subdivision is exempt from the aircraft registration tax under sections 360.511 to 360.67.

History:

1945 c 411 s 5; 1949 c 161 s 6; 1955 c 100 s 1; 1957 c 465 s 1; 1963 c 113 s 2; 1965 c 161 s 8; 1965 c 429 s 1; 1978 c 501 s 2; 1980 c 422 s 1; 1981 c 209 s 15; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 272 s 2; 1999 c 238 art 2 s 71; 1999 c 243 art 16 s 23; 2005 c 41 s 2-5; 2014 c 227 art 1 s 20; 1Sp2021 c 5 art 4 s 111; 2022 c 55 art 1 s 165,166; 1Sp2025 c 8 art 2 s 87-90

History: History: 1945 c 411 s 5; 1949 c 161 s 6; 1955 c 100 s 1; 1957 c 465 s 1; 1963 c 113 s 2; 1965 c 161 s 8; 1965 c 429 s 1; 1978 c 501 s 2; 1980 c 422 s 1; 1981 c 209 s 15; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 272 s 2; 1999 c 238 art 2 s 71; 1999 c 243 art 16 s 23; 2005 c 41 s 2-5; 2014 c 227 art 1 s 20; 1Sp2021 c 5 art 4 s 111; 2022 c 55 art 1 s 165,166; 1Sp2025 c 8 art 2 s 87-90