Out-of-State car purchasers pay tax twice?!
 

Hi all.

I live in Vegas, and I've been frantically researching to buy a new 370Z in the New Year in fits of boyish excitement. Most of the cars I see are over in SoCal. But my father-in-law tells me that if I buy a car over in Cali, I'll have to pay tax on the purchase TWICE - once over there and then again to Nevada when I come to registering it.

Now, that seems completely ridiculous to me, but having just moved to the US from UK in April this year, if an American tells me something about America, I tend to take on board what they tell me until another trusty American (or a few) informs me otherwise. :)

You guys are those trusty Americans. :bowrofl:

So, at the risk of looking like a complete idiot, I thought I'd ask you guys if that's true. Because if it is it seriously stamps out the option of buying in Cali, which massively reduces my options (especially considering I've been speaking to a dealership over there who seem perfectly happy with talking invoice pricing with me).

Oh, and this is my first ever thread - sorry if its a repeat or there's a better place for it. I had a quick search beforehand.

Thanks in advance, everyone.

Sounds wrong to me. I live in Indiana, but generally buy my cars in Kentucky. When I buy a car in KY, I pay Indiana taxes.
There may have to be a reciprocal tax agreement between states. I'm not really sure about that. Your best bet would be to call your local license branch and maybe one in the other state.


(we only charge Brits double tax. Still making up for the Tea Tax. I keed!) :)

You will not pay tax twice. You will only pay tax where you register the car. (your home address on your ID)

For example, if you buy a Z in Cali, you will only pay the price of the car + title + fees (if there are any). Your home address on your drivers license will prove you do not live in Cali, there for they cant charge you state or city tax.

Once you bring the car home, you will take it to the MVD where they will make you pay tax + registration.

The only problem you may have, is acquiring a temp tag to get the car home, if you plan to drive it home. The best way to do this is to use the internet at the dealership and log on to your states MVD website and print a temp tag to drive home on. Option B would be to have the car shipped home but thats like four to seven hundred dollars.

Good luck, Im in the same boat as you so I know how it is, all the good Z's are in cali, and im further away in Phoenix! :shakes head:

Ahhh... phew. I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to hear that. Thanks JBZ34!:tiphat:

As for the tag - I spoke to the dealership in Cali (who told me pretty much what you did, but vice versa - he said I'd pay tax in Cali, not in Nevada, although he sounded like he was just guessing so I'm going with your word), and they said they can fix me up with a single-day/single-journey pass of some sort so I can drive it home without issue. To be honest, that's the route I'll definitely take, because driving it home, after obsessing over this car for over a year now, will be a glorious moment for me. You have NO idea!!

Thanks again, and good luck to you too. Maybe see you at a meet next year then, if all goes to plan!

Haha, alright well I'll have relatives send you some REAL English tea tax-free. ;) But wait, isn't this the land of coffee anyway? No one I know here gives a **** about tea except my wife, who I've managed to turn in the past few months. Thanks for the feedback, man. :)

agreed with JBZ34. i purchased my car in another county that has a higher tax rate. when i signed the paperwork, i saw the taxes were charged at the higher rate. i had to correct the salesman and tell him that the car will be registered at my home address, which has a half percent lower tax rate. he had to reprint the paperwork, but i would assume they would have to do the same if you purchased the vehicle out of state.

Oooh. No. I likes me some tea. Only reason I drink coffee is to stay awake. Been to Starbucks one time in my entire life...To get coffee to stay awake.

no prob OP, good luck to you!!!

Bought my car last week in louisiana, but registered it in Tx. Paid sales tax and registration fees for texas. Paid no taxes in Louisiana. You will get a cali temp tag i assume cause i get one from La until my plates show up. Just make sure the dealership files for the title correctly in your state and that you know what your sales tax is for your area.

Oh, in SoCal we call it DMV (dept of Motor Vehicles) .... Not MVD!! :)

just in case you try googling it. :)

If you're driving it off the lot.. PLEASE make sure you have insurance that covers that car, whether purchased through the dealership, or that you've arranged your current insurance to cover the new car.

Would hate to have some incident on the way back or before you let everyone know youv'e got the car and have an issue.. even not your fault.. unfortunately we're known for having uninsured drivers in CA.. :/

Just saw this post from a california dealer on the corvette forum, having a sale on ZR1s. This was at the bottom:

Out Of State Buyers pay no fees. If you would like to fly in and drive the car home, you will have to pay 9.25% California sales tax. You can have the car shipped from our dealership to your state and you won't have to pay the 9.25% California sales tax. You will be responsible for shipping, registering, and paying the sales tax in your own state

I seem to recall that when I was in the military and lived in CA but was a florida resident, anytime I bought a car, I paid CA sales tax, and then FL would waive the difference between the two when registering, but it was always zero because CA taxes are higher then FL.

Mike beat me too it. California sales tax is high. You might be better off shipping it so you only have to pay your state sales tax. (South Carolina max is $300 for automobiles :ughdance:) Property taxes will always be paid in your home state.

+1 You nailed it. I asked, too, lol

Mike is correct, you pay tax where you register the car.

^^^^^Agreed! But just buy it from Lou and have it shipped to you. You will get a better deal anyway. :)

Josh has a good point too. Most insurance plans cover the purchase of a new vehichle for a certain amount of time on your current policy... but I never trust that and have always called my agent with the VIN before hand so that they have record of my intentions/purchase. Plus VA DMV asks you on the registration form if the car is currently insured. If they find a poloicy date after the date of registration, you won't be a happy camper. Happened to a friend of mine and he was fined and still has to maintain proof on insurance with the state.