On the ball in Boot Key Florida (Marathon)

Paul and Judy

Paul and Judy

.
Aug 28, 2007
127
Hunter 33.5 Northern Neck, VA
We plan to spend 3 months on the ball in Boot Key and 3 months on the ball in Key West. Then head back to Virginia. The vessel is USCG Documented, 33.5 foot Hunter. Hailing Port is Alexandria Virginia. Can anyone tell me what the Florida registration taxes will be. I understand if the vessel is Documented you do not need a Florida Title. I have read a number of articles on this subject but would like to hear from "Hulls on the Water" on how this actually works and what the costs will be regarding taxation. Thanks to all in advance.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
google fl boat registration and taxes and you will find a lot on their site
 
Paul and Judy

Paul and Judy

.
Aug 28, 2007
127
Hunter 33.5 Northern Neck, VA
Woody
I have gone to those sites. What they don't tell you is stuff like after 90 days how long do you need to be out of the state before you can get another 90 days. Also what are people really paying for registration and are there better ways to manage that.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
my understanding is you can get a 90 day extension in order to stay there you get the first 90 days free and have to pay a fee for the second 90 days i cant quote that right now but there has been several discussion on the topic take a look at rodger longs post he had quite a posting on this about three years ago
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
Paul and Judy

Paul and Judy

.
Aug 28, 2007
127
Hunter 33.5 Northern Neck, VA
Summer, the boat is a 1993 Hunter 33.5. Yes we are planning to roam around the Keys and sorta thought Boot key would be for a longer time. Last year we decided to sail south for two months leaving from Lewesetta Virginia. South for one month and then back. Well with the great anchorages down the east coast we never got out of North Carolina L.O.L How long were you in Florida and what registration taxes did you have to pay?
 
Charles Erwin

Charles Erwin

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Jan 30, 2012
1,154
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
There are two separate things of concern to non-resident owners who linger in states that impose sales and use taxes.

1. Registration fees - a registration fee usually modest.
2. Use taxes - almost certainly not so modest.

Florida imposes a use tax once a non-Florida boat is there for more than 90 days. So at day 91 you owe Florida 6% of the value of the boat (more if in a county that imposes an additional discretionary use tax.)

But you get credit for any sales tax you paid in your home state (or any other state even if not your home state.) So if your home state sales tax was 6% of the purchase price you might owe Florida -0, whereas if your home state tax was 3% of the purchase price you might owe something. But - if boat value has decreased since your original, fully taxed, home state purchase transaction you might still owe nothing because the present value is lower than the original purchase price. The available arguments and debates are endless. Different rule apply to repair and storage cases and commercial boats as well.

A separate registration fee (here at day 91) is typically required - even if your boat is exempt from Florida use tax.

One cannot help but love tax questions. The answers are the tough part because they frequently troublesome and rarely logical.

Edit - the qualification period is 90 consecutive days or 183 days in any one year period.

Charles
 
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B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,213
CC 30 South Florida
A class 2 Florida boat registration fee for boats from 26' to 39' is $85. The county fees average around $40 so in total it should be not more than $125 a year. You intend to visit Monroe County at Marathon and Key West and I should point out that those two locations are prime targets for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement agents (Florida Marine Patrol). They will monitor the length of your stay and be aware that any motorized boat needs to be registered so unless you are going to row your dinghy you will also need to register it. The "Tender to" exemption only works if the large boat is floundering. They collect tons of fines every year just on the dinghies. Another thing you should look into is boat insurance as depending on the months that you are going to be down here you might need an endorsement for the Hurricane season. Florida does not require you have insurance but if you do make sure you notify your insurer. How the 90 days are calculated and how long you must be out before you can reset the counter is ambiguous. Sometimes they can tag a boat the day it enters and others it may be weeks after but you will never know. Since it is always better to register the boat than to pay fines or face court I would suggest that after 60 days you pay the $125 and $10 to $12 for the dink rather than having to worry about exceeding the grace period. If your dinghy is not registered anywhere then you will need a certificate of origin and a bill of sale or a good pair of oars. They Keys are tourist traps and every marina will charge for dinghy docks and eating at a restaurant may not guarantee free dockage. Another thing is be aware of protected areas as grounding your boat on a reef may generate a fine larger than what the boat is worth. Oh lastly, you do not need a Florida Title only the sticker that you paid the registration fee. Good luck and have fun.
 
G

gettinthere

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Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
You didnt ask but here goes...

The Marathon moorimg field usually is full by late December. Friends spent 2 weeks on the wait list in Feb and never moved up the list.

Key West moorimg field in winter is exposed to north winds, have fun with that! Spme days you will have 3 foot seas in the mooring field. And Dinner Key mooring field in Miami isnt much better.

Seriously...go to the Abacos.
 
G

gettinthere

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Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
Shortly, they will start building the temporary docks for the Miami boat show in the marine stadium. So that will be off limits until at least late Feb.
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
Paul and Judy said:
... How long were you in Florida and what registration taxes did you have to pay?
Click to expand
The boat was purchased there so we paid the taxes and the boat is still there (Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage) so I am paying the $6 or $12 a year (can't remember) yearly registration fees as it is under the 'old boat' low fee rate.

I second the Bahamas but you will have the fees there to enter, $150 under 30' and $300 over. But still well worth it. Beautiful water and great anchorages. You'd love it,

Sumner

======================================

1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac

Endeavour 37 Mods...

MacGregor 26-S Mods...

Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas
 
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

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Jun 2, 2004
3,649
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Myflorida.com is a good place to start.

What you are looking for is the Sojourners Registration.

Lot's of misinformation and conjecture talk to the source don't go by what you read that people believe to be the answer in your circumstance.


Information, forms, and tutorials are available on our website: www.myflorida.com/dor

To speak with a Department representative, call Taxpayer Services, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, at 800-352-3671.

To find a taxpayer service center near you, go to: www.myflorida.com/dor/contact.html

For written replies to tax questions, write to:
Taxpayer Services – MS 3-2000
Florida Department of Revenue
5050 W Tennessee St
Tallahassee FL 32399-0112


You can register the boat in any county some counties may be cheaper than others so it may be worth talking to the tax collectors office in different counties.
 
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