Sales Tax question for out-of state buyer

[JJGittes]

I live in Southern California. The dealers I have been to here are, well, let's just say not inspiring. I have thus been looking out of state and have come across much better prospects, based largely on recommendations from people in on this site. Question: If I do buy out of state, and I go there to pick up and rive it home, how is sales tax handled? Will I get double hit, i.e. have to pay tax in the state of sale, and then again in California when I register? Any different rule if I have it delivered? Thanks for the help.

[AldoS]

I'm in Texas and if I buy a car out of state- to be registered in Texas, then sales tax is paid when I register the car, not paid at the time of out-of-state purchase.

[RenaultF1]

I live in Maine and bought my car in Mass...same as Texas said, I paid tax only to Maine. The dealership cut the Maine Department of Motor Vehicles a check for the tax amount when I closed on my car loan. Check with your state Motor Vehicle department & the finance person at your dealership to be sure how it works in your particular case...

I will say in Maine it was a pain in the butt because the state required that I buy a 1 day one-way transit plate and then register it the same day as I bought it (no 14 days when you buy it out of state)...it took a huge amount of running around, paperwork and waiting in line.

[Kellzir]

Quote: Originally Posted by JJGittes

I live in Southern California. The dealers I have been to here are, well, let's just say not inspiring. I have thus been looking out of state and have come across much better prospects, based largely on recommendations from people in on this site. Question: If I do buy out of state, and I go there to pick up and rive it home, how is sales tax handled? Will I get double hit, i.e. have to pay tax in the state of sale, and then again in California when I register? Any different rule if I have it delivered? Thanks for the help.

There is no double whammy. I live in CA and ordered out of state as well. I was told I would pay sales tax here and not at the dealer. I believe at DMV. You do not pay the tax in the state where you purchase the car. No difference if you have it delivered, since I am having it delivered from Classic in Ohio.

[AKmini]

I bought my cooper in Salt Lake City. Had to sign an affidavit that I didn't live in Utah to avoid the sales tax. I did everything by FedEx before I picked up the car. Registered and license in Alaska also before I left. Had my Alaska license plates put on at the dealership the day I picked up the cooper.

[cooper_s_flyer]

...pay the sales tax in California because that is where the car will be used... and housed.

You can get a "one way pass" to travel in a new vehicle from a DMV in most states for the trip to California when you state your intent to register the car where you live. The dealer can probably help with this.

If you have the car delivered you will still be paying the tax in California.

Hope that this helps...