Minnesota chasing car tax scofflaws

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has been going after residents who try to evade motor vehicle sales taxes — and the agency says the effort is paying off.

"Most Minnesotans do abide by our tax laws," said Cynthia Bauerly, the state's revenue commissioner. " But for those who don't, we're working with law enforcement to track them down and ensure that they are paying their fair share."

Some Minnesotans have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy large recreational vehicles — and then attempted to avoid the state's 6.5 percent motor vehicle taxes by registering them in Montana, a state without sales tax.

But Minnesota's revenue department reports that since 2010, cheaters have coughed up more than $1.1 million in taxes, penalties, and interest. Some tax scofflaws could face criminal charges.