Sales to Federally Recognized Indian Tribes or Their Qualifying Members

The State has entered into tax agreements with ten of the twelve federally recognized Indian tribes located in Michigan.

• Bay Mills Indian Community
• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
• Hannahville Indian Community
• Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
• Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
• Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians
• Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians
• Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
• Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan
• Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Pursuant to the tax agreements, these identified tribes and their qualifying members may claim exemption from Michigan sales or use tax for certain types of purchases identified on the form. To use this method, the purchaser presents a Form 3998, Tribal Certificate of Exemption (contact your tribal office to obtain), along with a copy of a Letter of Authorization from the Michigan Department of Treasury (Department), to the retailer at the time of purchase.  All certificates (including those used by qualifying members) must be appropriately filled out and signed by the Tribe. In addition, the certificate and letter may only be used for the year identified on the form and letter. 

For example, a 2024 Tribal Certificate of Exemption may only be presented for transactions occurring in 2024. Where the purchaser has provided the retailer with an appropriately filled out Tribal Certificate of Exemption and Letter of Authorization, the purchaser may purchase the item in question exempt from Michigan sales or use tax and the retailer may exclude such sales from its gross receipts when calculating its sales and use tax liabilities.  To assist in determining who may use these certificates, all authorized tribes are listed on the face of the certificate.  It also specifies whether or not a tribe has authorized its qualifying members to use the certificate.

There are certain instances where Michigan sales or use taxes are federally preempted regarding sales to a federally recognized Indian tribe or their members.  In order for the Department to verify such preemption, it has created two special forms (4765 and 4766) for the purchaser to fill out and forward to the Department.

•  Form 4765, Request for Sales or Use Tax Exemption for Qualified Tribal Members of Federally Recognized Indian Tribes Located in Michigan
•  Form 4766, Request for Sales or Use Tax Exemption for Federally Recognized Indian Tribes Located in Michigan

If the Department agrees that the State sales or use tax is preempted in that particular situation, it will either generate a letter of exemption to be given to the retailer at the time of purchase or issue a refund if the tax has already been paid and the refund request is received within the statute of limitations.

All sales to non-agreement tribes (or their members) are considered taxable unless the purchaser has either received a signed letter of exemption or a refund from the Department.  Those whose claims have been denied will receive notice of the denial. 

Note:  These protocols are only for exemptions that are based upon federal Indian doctrine principles or tax agreements.  Exemptions that are based upon Michigan statute (e.g., industrial processing, purchases for resale) should be claimed in the same manner as others claiming such exemption (i.e., using the regular Form 3372, Michigan Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption).