Hey! I tried to slip these questions into a topic already in progress, but no one responded. This is a terrific site for shared info, and I'm hoping I get some feedback before I have to take the plunge. I bought my yawl in VA, last year, and just recieved a letter from some nice lady revenue agent, asking me for info so that she can assess my taxes. There's a caveat at the bottom of the form, which allows for the possibility that I'm only having repairs done, and may be paying taxes elsewhere. Do I have to register the boat in VA, or can I register it up in NY, or CT, or wherever I eventually moor it for the summer, and which would be better? I plan on having it hauled out for the winter months in the boatyard I bought it in, in VA, as they seem good people. I understand that VA will charge around 5% of the purchase price for registration, and then X% each year in taxes, and that MD is MUCH friendlier. I'm on the hard in VA, across the Chesapeak from MD, do I have a choice?
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I believe yawl can go where you want
Really, I think you can register wherever you want as long as you keep her there most of the time. I think that in Washington, you can visit for 6 months at a time but if you stay here, the state watchers will make note of it and it will cost you a lot if they think you are evading taxes. Yes, they have several people who work for the state who do nothing else but look for this kind of thing. Try to get the Seattle police to help you with a bad check? - forget it. If you have some moorage receipts or other proof of registration, that will help dissuade the tax vultures. Probably should ask the actual agencies though what they will accept as proof.
Really, I think you can register wherever you want as long as you keep her there most of the time. I think that in Washington, you can visit for 6 months at a time but if you stay here, the state watchers will make note of it and it will cost you a lot if they think you are evading taxes. Yes, they have several people who work for the state who do nothing else but look for this kind of thing. Try to get the Seattle police to help you with a bad check? - forget it. If you have some moorage receipts or other proof of registration, that will help dissuade the tax vultures. Probably should ask the actual agencies though what they will accept as proof.
Where do you want to sail from
I purchased my 30' Hunter in VA and moved it to MD. The tax in VA was 2% on the purchase. I had to pay the difference between 2%+5% when I registered in MD. The requirement is to register in the State where the boat spends most of the time in the water. Being on the hard does not count. The only State expense after this is a $24.00 MD sticker every two years. Check the link to register in MD The best idea is to register in the State you are going to moor the boat. Good luck Ian
I purchased my 30' Hunter in VA and moved it to MD. The tax in VA was 2% on the purchase. I had to pay the difference between 2%+5% when I registered in MD. The requirement is to register in the State where the boat spends most of the time in the water. Being on the hard does not count. The only State expense after this is a $24.00 MD sticker every two years. Check the link to register in MD The best idea is to register in the State you are going to moor the boat. Good luck Ian
Va. Tax
There is a sales tax in Va. that you pay at settlement. Then there is annual property tax accessed by the county your boat is in. I had one in Middlesex and if the boat was inventoried by the marina on Jan 1 of the year you where liable for the tax. I moved my boat to MD. mid year and still was obligated to pay the entire assesment. Each county is different from what I understand. Just like property tax on cars. MD is a better deal in the long run.
There is a sales tax in Va. that you pay at settlement. Then there is annual property tax accessed by the county your boat is in. I had one in Middlesex and if the boat was inventoried by the marina on Jan 1 of the year you where liable for the tax. I moved my boat to MD. mid year and still was obligated to pay the entire assesment. Each county is different from what I understand. Just like property tax on cars. MD is a better deal in the long run.
PS VA Tax
By the way it did not matter in Middlesex if you where in the water or on the hard. I was on the hard until I put it in the water and left.
By the way it did not matter in Middlesex if you where in the water or on the hard. I was on the hard until I put it in the water and left.
Middlesex it is.
Thanks guys. It looks like I may have to give Middlesex Co. their dues, as that's who sent me the form. The boatyard dropped a dime on me. I'm still waiting to see what NY/CT may have to offer, and choose the lesser of two weevils (thank you, Mr. O'Brian). Bruce, what do you pay for haul out and monthly fees at your yard, and what do you think of the service?
Thanks guys. It looks like I may have to give Middlesex Co. their dues, as that's who sent me the form. The boatyard dropped a dime on me. I'm still waiting to see what NY/CT may have to offer, and choose the lesser of two weevils (thank you, Mr. O'Brian). Bruce, what do you pay for haul out and monthly fees at your yard, and what do you think of the service?
Register in the state the boat will be kept
You should register the boat in the state where it will be docked. If you dock it in VA with a MD registration there are many dock walkers who will turn you in and a possible penalty could be in your future. Our friends keep the boat in Washingto DC and it had a MD registration. Someone evetually turned them in and they had to change. We lived in Oak Hill, VA and kept the boat on the Cheseapeake Bay. The boat though US doc's also had a MD sticker and we paid the tax. VA's property tax is every year......
You should register the boat in the state where it will be docked. If you dock it in VA with a MD registration there are many dock walkers who will turn you in and a possible penalty could be in your future. Our friends keep the boat in Washingto DC and it had a MD registration. Someone evetually turned them in and they had to change. We lived in Oak Hill, VA and kept the boat on the Cheseapeake Bay. The boat though US doc's also had a MD sticker and we paid the tax. VA's property tax is every year......
CT boat tax
Jonathan, I can tell you this much about CT. There is a sales tax that you pay when you "buy" the boat.I believe that if you paid the tax in Va or MD and already own the boat you will not have to pay again,(same as registering a car that you already own when you move into the state) however you will need a valid current(in you name)registration from either VA or MD. or pay the tax in CT. when you register it.CT. law is that you must get a valid CT. sticker (registration fee) for a boat that spends more then 60 days in the state.This is for any boat even if registered in another state or even if documented.There are no "yearly sales tax" or personal property tax on a boat in CT. Not sure how long your boat is but CT. charges by the foot. A 30 footer is just under $150 per year.Just as a after thought you may want to check with VA.(as you plan on keeping it there over the winter and see what is there law) Anyway Good Luck !
Jonathan, I can tell you this much about CT. There is a sales tax that you pay when you "buy" the boat.I believe that if you paid the tax in Va or MD and already own the boat you will not have to pay again,(same as registering a car that you already own when you move into the state) however you will need a valid current(in you name)registration from either VA or MD. or pay the tax in CT. when you register it.CT. law is that you must get a valid CT. sticker (registration fee) for a boat that spends more then 60 days in the state.This is for any boat even if registered in another state or even if documented.There are no "yearly sales tax" or personal property tax on a boat in CT. Not sure how long your boat is but CT. charges by the foot. A 30 footer is just under $150 per year.Just as a after thought you may want to check with VA.(as you plan on keeping it there over the winter and see what is there law) Anyway Good Luck !
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