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Deferiet · 26-08-2013, 19:08

I want to thank everyone for their input. We registered our boat today. Questions asked were, did we want to title the boat in Florida and how long we owned the boat. We indicated "no that we were federally documented and did not want to register in Florida". We showed our documentation papers answered the standard make, model, fuel type. Then low and behold we were given our registration decals for the low price of a little over $160.00. We need to register every year, but not a problem. The entire process took about an hour. Hopefully this will encourage other boaters to register their boats.

denverd0n · 27-08-2013, 07:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deferiet

Then low and behold we were given our registration decals for the low price of a little over $160.00. We need to register every year, but not a problem. The entire process took about an hour. Hopefully this will encourage other boaters to register their boats.

Probably not. I'm always amazed at how many people will spend $50k to buy a boat, another $30k to refit it, $500/month to keep it in a marina, and then will go through all sorts of time, effort, paperwork, and other contortions to try to avoid having to pay less than $200 a year to register it.

Glad that everything worked out okay for you.

SVNeko · 27-08-2013, 07:51

Its not the registration fees people try to avoid, its the sales/use taxes.

**skipmac** · 27-08-2013, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVNeko

Its not the registration fees people try to avoid, its the sales/use taxes.

True, but the problem is a lot of buyers are confused and don't understand the difference between the registration fee and the sales/use tax or if they do understand the difference they are afraid if they register the boat they will at risk for paying the tax.

donradcliffe · 27-08-2013, 08:49

I don't know about Florida, but if you are registered in Calif, it sends a flag to the county tax assessors, who hit you up for 1% of the boat value each year for unsecured personal property tax.

**skipmac** · 27-08-2013, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

I don't know about Florida, but if you are registered in Calif, it sends a flag to the county tax assessors, who hit you up for 1% of the boat value each year for unsecured personal property tax.

Fortunately not the case in FL. Once you get over the initial taxes (if they are due) then you are free and clear if the boat is for personal use.

If for business not certain but you may have to pay an annual tax on the value. I know I did for equipment I used for business.

denverd0n · 27-08-2013, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVNeko

Its not the registration fees people try to avoid, its the sales/use taxes.

I'm not sure that's always true. I've seen people who at least SEEM to understand the difference between the sales/use taxes, and the registration fees, and still go to extreme lengths to try to avoid having to register their boats. But who knows? Maybe they are all just very confused.

SVNeko · 27-08-2013, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by denverd0n

I'm not sure that's always true. I've seen people who at least SEEM to understand the difference between the sales/use taxes, and the registration fees, and still go to extreme lengths to try to avoid having to register their boats. But who knows? Maybe they are all just very confused.

I think its the prospect of not having it right, walking into the DMV and having them say "OK, that'll be $18,000 please." What do you do then? Say "Oh nevermind" and leave?

**hpeer** · 20-04-2017, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Here is the information that you need, direct from the state agencies...
FL Dept Rev - Document or Webpage Relocation Notification
Official Website Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

It's really pretty simple in your case. You have owned and used your boat within the United States for more than 6 months now. You will not owe any sales/use tax to the state of Florida.

If you keep the boat in Florida for more than 90 days then you will have to register it. The annual fee for registration will be less than $200. If the boat is federally documented, then you do not need to display Florida registration numbers.

Old thread but what I'm looking for.

We have a USCG registered boat. We have had it for 6 years. We want to leave it on the hard for 6 months. What is my exposure? Fees of $200 is no big deal. NSales tax would be. The link above is now broken.

Anyone with recent experience or a valid link?

**skipmac** · 20-04-2017, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by hpeer

Old thread but what I'm looking for.

We have a USCG registered boat. We have had it for 6 years. We want to leave it on the hard for 6 months. What is my exposure? Fees of $200 is no big deal. NSales tax would be. The link above is now broken.

Anyone with recent experience or a valid link?

Not totally clear on what you're asking. Exposure to what? Florida sales tax? None since you've owned the boat for six years.

Florida registration? Supposed to get that if you're in the state for more than 90 days no matter what else may apply. It's cheap. $200 max if I recall. Mine was under $100.

**hpeer** · 20-04-2017, 14:29

Exposure to my bank account LOL!

I think you answered it.

denverd0n · 21-04-2017, 05:15

The website has changed (I'll have to update my links), but the law has not. You will not owe any sales/use tax to the state of Florida. You may be asked to provide documentation of the fact that you have owned and used the boat for more than six months.

denverd0n · 21-04-2017, 05:24

Here's the new location for information about vessel titling and registration:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicle...registrations/

Unfortunately, the Department of Revenue is still in the process of revamping their website, and I cannot seem to find the details about vessel sales/use taxes. Of course, if you want to dig through all of the relevant state laws, and figure it out for yourself, you can do that here: Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine I think most of what you would want is in Chapter 328. Good luck!