State Tax on Vehicle Registration?

by admin on January 22, 2010



Part I.
I was told that even if I got a car at a very good deal i.e. at a car auction I would have to pay state tax on the blue book value on the vehicle when I register it, not on what I actually paid. Is this true? (BTW- I am in the state of California). If you can direct me to a California Legal code that specifies this that would be great.

Part II.
If the vehicle was acquired for free. Do you still have to pay state tax on the vehicle when you register it?
PartIII.
Is it legal to pay state tax on something that you didn’t buy?
(This is in reference to Part II. Again- This is the State of California). If you can direct me to a California Legal code that specifies this that would be great.)

Originally posted 2009-05-17 07:51:55.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

rwasham729 May 18, 2009 at 2:30 pm

dont know about cali. call the DMV they can tell u. Illinois taxes based on the age of the vehicle, under a specific sales price, then the state sales tax applies on the newer or higher priced vehicles.

bostonianinmo May 20, 2009 at 10:31 am

That varies from state to state. Some will accept the purchase price — even free — if the transaction appears legit. TX does a flat fee on free or very low priced cars.

If it looks like something funny is going on, they’ll usually assess the use tax on book value. For example if you buy a car from a non-relative for half the book value, that would be suspicious. If you bought it at auction they’d probably accept the price on the bill of sale as legit and tax it that way.

jerry May 23, 2009 at 4:24 am

no not really as long as you have a sales receipt,,unless you get a bad dmv person,,just be nice to them and they will treat you good,,

Lorraine May 25, 2009 at 7:15 am

I’m pretty sure you would pay tax on what you paid for the car not the book value.

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