Southern Ca VS North Carolina

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by Gary Stoneking

Point of clarification: The state of South Carolina imposes a personal property tax that varies from county to county. The market value of the vessel times 6% times the (variable-by-county) mill rate. For example, a vessel valued at $20,000 located in Beaufort County is taxed $293 annually, not $1,200.

In California, boats are taxed annually at the same rate as real estate. Tax is based on "value" times 1% to 1.5%, depending upon location. If berthed at a municipal marina, the tax also applies to the value of the berth.

[Don C L]

Some tax issues may be covered here:
State Boating Information Home - Government Affairs - BoatUS
at least where I am there is a "Use tax" and a sales tax which are "mutually exclusive." in my area, Ventura County, the rate is 7.75%. As far as property tax, I have avoided that by getting a good, OLD, low value, boat.

[Suijin]

I'm holed up in Beaufort right now waiting for some pesky lows to head out. Rainy and windy, but thankfully in the 50's.

Also, I'm surprised that no one on this thread (old as it is) has mentioned that the state bird of North Carolina is the mosquito.

[prof_mariner]

Originally Posted by Suijin

I'm holed up in Beaufort right now waiting for some pesky lows to head out. Rainy and windy, but thankfully in the 50's.

Also, I'm surprised that no one on this thread (old as it is) has mentioned that the state bird of North Carolina is the mosquito.

Yup, that was in my post. You must have missed it. Since we've had a relatively mild Winter this year, I expect the mosquito / no-see-um population will be bigger than ever come Spring.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by prof_mariner

Yup, that was in my post. You must have missed it. Since we've had a relatively mild Winter this year, I expect the mosquito / no-see-um population will be bigger than ever come Spring.

They are just going to carry use off to eat us later. 70s and even hit 80 in Jan. and coastal SC. Beats the hell out of the north.

[deluxe68]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Do let us know if you get a written response.
What is the logic for not charging use-tax on a boat that has been used outside Cal for more than a year? Most states charge a use-tax based on their sales-tax rate while giving a credit for any sales-tax paid to another state. What logic is Cal using to not do this?

I took nearly a year but I finally got an answer. The letter for my use tax clearance simply said "we have closed the inquiry". I called their office and asked for more info, they said the letter indicated I would not owe use tax. I said that the letter merely said my clearance request was closed. The clerk said that is how they do it and the letter is proof I don't have to pay use tax if I move my boat to CA. I must have sent 30 pages of receipts and it takes nearly a year to get a non answer!

The letter came over a month ago and the web site still shows my clearance request is "submitted". This whole ordeal was because I did not get a "warm and fuzzy" feeling from one rep and another rep said I should apply to get the clearance in writing. What a mess.