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Vehicle Sales Tax in California
Excuse me if this has been asked before (I did a search and couldn't find this exact question). If I, being a California resident, buy a RV in California, do I pay the sales tax rate of the county or city the purchase was made at, or the rate of where I reside?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Vehicle Sales Tax in California
Reply #1 –
You end up paying the tax rate in effect in the city you live in. For instance, they didn't want people traveing to San Diego to buy cars and paying a lower amount than L.A. tax. Other taxable items are where you buy it. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Vehicle Sales Tax in California
Reply #2 –
Thanks Ron, that's what I was hoping but wasn't sure!  That's good since our tax rate here in Tehachapi is one of the lowest in the state (7.25%). Guess I don't buy vehicles enough to remember how it worked?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Vehicle Sales Tax in California
Reply #3 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
You end up paying the tax rate in effect in the city you live in. For instance, they didn't want people traveing to San Diego to buy cars and paying a lower amount than L.A. tax. Other taxable items are where you buy it. RonB

Right on, Ron. This from the Legislative Analyst's Office:

"Which Rate Applies? For most taxed transactions, the location where the buyer takes possession of the good determines the sales tax rate. When residents of San Mateo shop in San Francisco, they pay the San Francisco rate, 8.75 percent. When they purchase items to be delivered to their homes in San Mateo, they owe the San Mateo rate, 9.25 percent. Vehicle purchases are a key exception to this rule. When Californians buy cars—no matter where they take possession of them—they pay their locality’s sales tax rate."

-- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Vehicle Sales Tax in California
Reply #4 –
This is interesting.  Missouri's Department of Revenue offices were once patronage plums--the person running the office gets % of the transactions, & they changed hands whenever the Governor changed (even if it was the same party), but the state started contracting them out by bid about 15 years ago.  There is at least on office in each of the 114 counties, though urban areas like St. Louis/Springfield/KC have several scattered about.  contracting was supposed to improve services--not the case in my county, but c'est la vie.  I can/do go to a neighboring county to renew tags/Driver's License, & pay the same rate no matter where.

Just read in the KC paper that Amazon is finally going to start collect taxes on sales in MO, so that may help equalize some of the advantages of home delivery vs. local merchants.  It may not make a big difference in the urban areas that already have a host of taxing districts & most folks don't shop according to taxes--except for the KC where KS area merchants have been screaming about losing business to MO since  Sam Brownback wrecked their revenue situation--but out here in the boonies every little bit helps.
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Vehicle Sales Tax in California
Reply #5 –
The CA DMV online registration fee calculator has a data entry field for use/sales tax paid in another state when registering out-of-state vehicles.

Kind of thought they might prorate the CA tax if already paid in another state -- otherwise why ask?

Rich
2006 MB
Re: Vehicle Sales Tax in California
Reply #6 –
        Hi Rich. My understanding of how the Ca DMV works: If you are a California resident, and you buy a vehicle in another state, you are credited with what you paid there, and it reduces what you owe here in CA. Usually the States have reciprocal agreements, and the other state will forward the amount you paid to Ca. when you register it here.
        I bought my '92 Geo Tracker in Arizona. Paid the dealer their 'road use tax', and that was credited towards my DMV fees when I got it back to the CA DMV.  RonB
       
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
 
Re: Vehicle Sales Tax in California
Reply #7 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
   Usually the States have reciprocal agreements, and the other state will forward the amount you paid to Ca. when you register it here.     

But then again, this is California . . . just sayin' . . .
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264