Buying Tacoma out of state (live in California)

If you are really trying to get around paying CA sales tax, you will need to wait one full calendar year from date of purchase to register your vehicle in CA. When I moved from Texas to California, my vehicle was less than one year old. CA applied the tax I paid in TX towards the difference in CA sales tax. $1,200 later I was good to go. I’m so glade I move away from the land of fruits and nuts.

 

You should check with a local dmv office, notary service or the dealership. Usually dealerships that are close to state lines know how it works when buying like that.

I live in Pennsylvania and bought mine in maryland. I paid all the sales tax to PA, 6%. The dealership took care of it all, paying the tax and registration fees to PenDOT. If I would have been trading my previous vehicle or recently sold it on my own before the deal I could have even transferred the license plate there too. Since my plans were to sell it myself they gave me a temporary Maryland tag which cost a small fee. I drove it on that for about 6 weeks then a metal PA plate and registration documents were sent in directly to me by the dealerships tag service.
The only thing I had to do after that was take it to a local mechanic and have the PA safety inspection and emissions done. Of course I got a new vehicle exemption on the emissions this time. The mechanic I regularly go to cut me a break on that. It's was usually $60, he only charged me $30 for it because he said he didn't do most of the stuff he would normally do since the truck had less than 1000 miles on it and nothing should be wrong.

 

Sounds like it! sheesh, what PITA.
Reason #5,682 not to move to Cali

 

I’m not trying to avoid paying CA taxes. I am just trying to make sure I am not double taxed due to some error by the dealership.

 

Another way to not pay taxes on large purchases I just found out about is creating an LLC in Montana for about $600 a company can set it up. Then you don't buy it your Montana LLC buys the truck, motor home or whatever and it's registered to your LLC's Montana address, Montana has no sales tax. You're Welcome.

 

I’m fine with paying taxes.

 

Merry Christmas! When you bring it back to Cali the DMV will ask what taxes you already paid and they will deduct it from what you owe.

 

Right just make sure you don't pay one nickel more than you should.
The Montana LLC thing seems like it's popular with people that buy exotic cars, expensive motor homes and other expensive toys. Probably not worth it for someone buying an average car or truck but it's there.

 

Awesome! Thanks

 

When I bought my RAV in 2015 I got it in MD. I didn't pay any taxes on it there, but when I registered it in NYS (30 days later BTW ) I paid the regi fee and state sales tax.

 

The State of California is wise to this. They have enacted laws making it illegal to use the Montana LLC for vehicle registration purposes in California.
If and when caught, you end up owing back taxes with a penalty assessment and also with a useless Montana LLC...!!!!!!!
California is very good at collecting maximum taxes.

 

I was under the impression that these trucks were all CARB compliant and therefore 50 state legal. Does that make the smog check a money grab on a brand new vehicle?

 

Totally depends on the state DMV laws. Some lien holders do indeed keep the title until the lien is satisfied. Other states require the lien holder to forward the title to the DMV.

The majority of states allow the lien holder to keep the title and release it when the loan has been satisfied.

That can be a problem when selling a vehicle privately that still has a lien (and hence, you have no title to transfer). You call your lender, get a payoff number for ten days in advance, have the (new) buyer pay the lender directly with one check and, if you have equity, pay you with a second check.

I've found that sometimes it takes weeks for the old lender to actually deliver the title to the new buyer or new buyer's lender.

 

Another reason not to live in California. I'd like to move from PA to someplace with milder winters. California definitely has good weather and lots of outdoor activities but many financial reasons to not go there except to visit.

 

As a lifelong California resident I can honestly say that the weather is the only good thing left in this state. You’d be wise to look elsewhere.

 

I bought my 2017 from a private seller with a lien on it from Toyota Financial out of state. I will admit it went smooth but I had a few reservations at first buying a truck without a title in hand at time of sale

 

Agreed. I’m actually starting my research to possibly leave California. This place is a mess.

Only thing holding be back is my entire family and all my closest friends live in the general LA area. Gonna be difficult to leave that.

 

From what I've read, one only has to pay tax in the state where they are registering if the vehicle; If you are lucky enough to live in a state with no sales tax and you buy a vehicle from out of state, then I do not believe you have to pay sales tax in the state where you buy it!

 

Did you pay cash or end up financing it yourself?

 

Cash and certified check. ( I read horror stories of people having cash seized by the LE after a traffic stop) We did the deal at the bank's drive thru after meeting at his office to go over everything. The bank was a Southern Bank that I actually do business with up here in the Northeast. I had to wait 10 days to get my title from TF. I woke up a least once at night during the waiting period wondering if I dotted all of my i's and crossed all my t's