Mamdani's 'millionaire home tax' reveals New York's big 'Ghost cars' problem

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposed 'millionaire home tax' is drawing attention beyond second-home ownership. By requiring owners of high-value secondary residences to establish whether a property is their primary home, the proposal also highlights a long-running issue of residency claims that overlaps with "garage fraud". This is a practice in which residents register vehicles in lower-cost states while primarily living and driving in New York.​The proposal has renewed scrutiny over so-called "ghost cars" and improperly registered out-of-state vehicles. City data, investigative reports, and enforcement agencies have for years documented vehicles repeatedly appearing on New York streets with out-of-state registrations, mismatched plates, or fraudulent registrations, raising questions about unpaid fines, insurance evasion, and tax compliance.​How New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposed tax intersects with vehicle registrationZohran Mamdani's proposed pied-à-terre surcharge would apply to qualifying second homes in New York City.