Boat Registration from AZ to CA, then back to AZ

[Abc123]

First, let me get this off my chest... Fuck California.

Second...


Both of my boats are registered in CA. One was registered in AZ last year, but I switched over to CA thinking I wouldn't get a luxury tax bill. Well, I did. The other boat, has been registered CA it's entire life.

I'd like to transfer them both to AZ. I have to do it before the end of the year in order to avoid paying sales tax again for 2016, so I plan to just do it before this season. Anyhow, should I expect any issues from CA or the counties they are registered in (one LA and one OC) if I try to take them into AZ? Would it be wise to "sell" them both to my relative or friend and have them register them in AZ, then transfer them back in my name later?

Trailers would both stay registered in CA. Would it be a red flag if I didn't transfer ownership of them to the new boat owner?

I get two of these bills a year and they exceed what AZ non resident fees would be.

 

[Cole Trickle]

What was the luxury tax bill? We ended up moving our boats to ca as the non resident az fee ended up being like $325 a year. Now that my dad lives in Havasu were going to switch back as it will be much cheaper

 

[Abc123]

What was the luxury tax bill? We ended up moving our boats to ca as the non resident az fee ended up being like $325 a year. Now that my dad lives in Havasu were going to switch back as it will be much cheaper

Both luxury tax bills are around $220. My registration fees are $102 after the mussel fees. Did you know that if you buy and register your boat in CA in an odd number year, that the fees are nearly double? One boat is $37 and the other is $65. How stupid.

So it's a total of $542 to keep them in CA and it's a total of $481 to register them in AZ. I aslo would not have to sport the extra mussle decals. Why doesn't CA just make two different decals? One fresh and one salt? :rolleyes

 

[Andy01]

Doesn't matter where the boat is registered, it can be registered Ca, stored in Az and no tax, or reg in Az, stored in Ca (if they knew) and you still have to pay the tax. That is how some of the counties are. If you have a storage unit in Az where the boats stay, then you send in a copy of your storage bill. No need to transfer owner, just "move" both boats to Az reg, and give Ca the new reg and let them know they are "stored" in Az.

 

[CoolCruzin]

The way I was told is the boat MUST be reg where it is USED more often (51%). If you boat more in Lake Mead reg. in NV.
Boat more in havasu reg. in AZ.
If you don't use it in calif 51% or more then why reg in CA.

 

[Singleton]

My boat is registered in CA, however stored full time in Havasu. Submitted forms years ago to SD county and got a note no luxury tax will be required since boat is stored in Az.

 

[CoolCruzin]

I feel like I get 1% more respect with the law enforcement in AZ with my boat registration tag being in AZ.
I'm sure it is mental thing but you never know .

 

[Enen]

Both luxury tax bills are around $220. My registration fees are $102 after the mussel fees. Did you know that if you buy and register your boat in CA in an odd number year, that the fees are nearly double? One boat is $37 and the other is $65. How stupid.

So it's a total of $542 to keep them in CA and it's a total of $481 to register them in AZ. I aslo would not have to sport the extra mussle decals. Why doesn't CA just make two different decals? One fresh and one salt? :rolleyes

You are looking to go through all the hassle of moving registration. Running the risk of getting rolled by LEO towing with CA trailer tags, and AZ boat tags for a savings of $61?

I'm not busting your balls, but reducing my cost from $542 down to $481 doesn't seem worth the trouble to me.

 

[Advantage 1]

You are looking to go through all the hassle of moving registration. Running the risk of getting rolled by LEO towing with CA trailer tags, and AZ boat tags for a savings of $61?

I'm not busting your balls, but reducing my cost from $542 down to $481 doesn't seem worth the trouble to me.

Why would it matter what is on the trailer? As long as the truck and trailer have CA plates... and they match the CA driver's license.

My boat is registered in AZ as a non-resident, and I recently changed my AZ plates on the trailer to CA plates. I was more worried about getting pulled over with an AZ trailer and CA truck.

 

[Abc123]

Doesn't matter where the boat is registered, it can be registered Ca, stored in Az and no tax, or reg in Az, stored in Ca (if they knew) and you still have to pay the tax. That is how some of the counties are. If you have a storage unit in Az where the boats stay, then you send in a copy of your storage bill. No need to transfer owner, just "move" both boats to Az reg, and give Ca the new reg and let them know they are "stored" in Az.

My boat is registered in CA, however stored full time in Havasu. Submitted forms years ago to SD county and got a note no luxury tax will be required since boat is stored in Az.

Wow. That seems rather easy. I just send in proof of my storage fees paid? That seems easy. ...But like Coolcrzin said, Doesn't the boat have to be registered where it is used most of the time?

You are looking to go through all the hassle of moving registration. Running the risk of getting rolled by LEO towing with CA trailer tags, and AZ boat tags for a savings of $61?

I'm not busting your balls, but reducing my cost from $542 down to $481 doesn't seem worth the trouble to me.

Like Advantage1 said, they can't say anything about the boat, because it's not using the road.

I feel like I get 1% more respect with the law enforcement in AZ with my boat registration tag being in AZ.
I'm sure it is mental thing but you never know .

I agree. :thumbup:

 

[Singleton]

Wow. That seems rather easy. I just send in proof of my storage fees paid? That seems easy. ...But like Coolcrzin said, Doesn't the boat have to be registered where it is used most of time:

Read the back of the tax form and it explains what needs to be done.
I boat the Havasu area of the Colorado river and you can argue that is CA or AZ.

With that said, thinking of moving to AZ registration (non-resident).

 

[Advantage 1]

AZ Game and Fish Watercraft Registration page:

http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/WatercraftRegistration.shtml

 

[Mike Honcho]

My boat is registered in CA, however stored full time in Havasu. Submitted forms years ago to SD county and got a note no luxury tax will be required since boat is stored in Az.

If you are doing this I would really like to know how? I own a house in Parker and tell them its stored in Parker on their form 100% of the time and they still send the lux tax every year. I called them and they said if you are registered in Ca. then you pay no matter where it is stored so any help getting around that would be appreciated. Understand the only bill I cold produce them would be my property taxes I would assume but they told me otherwise.

Thanks,

 

[milkmoney]

I am not sure if this helps or you can do this. When I lived in Vegas. My boat was 55 bucks to register and I stored it in Parker, az. Which they didn't know , they jus wanted the money. Might want to look into Nevada ?

They charge by length and its done through the fish and game dept.

The trailer is done through DMV. To separate places and having nothing to do with each other.

 

[97warlock]

Last year I transferred both the boat and trailer to AZ when i purchased it. Old boat had ca registration and had to pay the luxury tax bs even though it was stored in Parker.

Haven't had an issue with AZ plates on the trailer and ca plates on the truck. Why is it an issue if its a non resident registration and the boat is stored in Parker and only used in AZ?

 

[Advantage 1]

If you are doing this I would really like to know how? I own a house in Parker and tell them its stored in Parker on their form 100% of the time and they still send the lux tax every year. I called them and they said if you are registered in Ca. then you pay no matter where it is stored so any help getting around that would be appreciated. Understand the only bill I cold produce them would be my property taxes I would assume but they told me otherwise.

Thanks,

Seems like a hassle with that luxury tax. Drop the CA boat reg and get AZ numbers as a non-resident.

 

[C-2]

PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX, not a luxury tax; luxury tax was repealed about 20 years ago.

Personal property tax, which is actually a State tax administered by each county, I think it's 1.1% of the value. Airplanes, business equipment, all personal, UNSECURED taxes. As opposed to SECURED property taxes (real estate).

Just had to get that off my chest.

 

[C-2]

And you better believe the time and headache you will spend sorting it out....priceless :thumbup:

 

[Singleton]

If you are doing this I would really like to know how? I own a house in Parker and tell them its stored in Parker on their form 100% of the time and they still send the lux tax every year. I called them and they said if you are registered in Ca. then you pay no matter where it is stored so any help getting around that would be appreciated. Understand the only bill I cold produce them would be my property taxes I would assume but they told me otherwise.

Thanks,

Did this back in 2009.
Below is what the document stated. I think each county is different, so you will need to check.

*A vessel registered with Ca DMV or USCG is subject to property taxes in San Diego County unless the owner provides other evidence indicating that the property is located and kept permanently in another state or county. Such evidence is one of more of the following:

1 - Copy of current vessel registration in another state or county taking place prior to January 1 of the current year
2 - Copy of current tax bill for vessel in another state
3 - Proof of current ownership or lease of home in the location where the vessel is stated to reside
4 - Copy of current slip fees or marina contract that indicates the vessel is permanently located outside California
5 - Copy of vessel insurance premium. The premium must indicate the insured location of vessel

I sent evidence of 2 and 5 and got a letter back saying that is appropriate and no taxes would be assessed unless the boat started residing in Ca again.

DMV paperwork has vessel located at my storage unit in Az. Since Ca considers Colorado river usage as CA it qualifies to be registered in Ca.

 

[plaster dave]

One thing to remember Dennis is if your CF #'s are painted on then you will be paying to have them changed on top of the savings.
That being said I have had my boat reg in AZ as non res since 2004 with no problems.

 

[Wmc]

One thing to remember Dennis is if your CF #'s are painted on then you will be paying to have them changed on top of the savings.
That being said I have had my boat reg in AZ as non res since 2004 with no problems.

Me too since 2005

 

[Abc123]

One thing to remember Dennis is if your CF #'s are painted on then you will be paying to have them changed on top of the savings.
That being said I have had my boat reg in AZ as non res since 2004 with no problems.

Good call. I have decals on both boats.

 

[Abc123]

So should I put them in a siblings name and transfer them or move them over myself?

I just read both tax bills and they both state that I am paying a tax because records show that I own these, nothing to do with registration. So I'm thinking that I should sell them to my sibling. This would be easy, just mail in the release of titles, and send in pinks via mail to AZGF and wait for the new tags to come in his name. There's no sales tax, because they would be going to AZ. Then wait a little while and do a transfer in AZ back into my name.

 

[JBS]

So should I put them in a siblings name and transfer them or move them over myself?

I just read both tax bills and they both state that I am paying a tax because records show that I own these, nothing to do with registration. So I'm thinking that I should sell them to my sibling. This would be easy, just mail in the release of titles, and send in pinks via mail to AZGF and wait for the new tags to come in his name. There's no sales tax, because they would be going to AZ. Then wait a little while and do a transfer in AZ back into my name.

You make Apple seem stand up

 

[Abc123]

You make Apple seem stand up

I am just trying to prevent the government from STEALING more of my hard earned money.

 

[CampbellCarl]

Last year I transferred both the boat and trailer to AZ when i purchased it. Old boat had ca registration and had to pay the luxury tax bs even though it was stored in Parker.

Haven't had an issue with AZ plates on the trailer and ca plates on the truck. Why is it an issue if its a non resident registration and the boat is stored in Parker and only used in AZ?

As long as the trailer NEVER comes to CA its no issue. The red flag will be an AZ trailer behind a CA truck with a CA DL. Boatcop explained this years back. My understanding is that CA REQUIRES all vehicles owned by a CA resident that touch CA roads to by reg'd in CA.

Probably ain't gonna happen but he went on to say that the boat trailer could be impounded (and I suppose the boat as well since you won't have a way to haul your boat any other way).

 

[C-2]

Just dispute the fuggin amount of the tax. Send them some lowball boat trader comps and call it a day.

 

[Hypnautic]

X2 with MilkMoney about Nevada. My registration is $55 and they don't have a resident vs. non-resident.
Register the boat where you use it. I used to store my boat in Bullhead. Boat and trailer reg in AZ, I lived in CA. If I ever got pulled over just tell the cop your bringing it back home to register. I'm sure your not required to change registration before you move it.
When I moved to Nevada, I had a Ca truck, Az boat trailer with Nv boat reg. I've had my truck with Oregon plates again with Nv/Az boat/trailer. Now Nv truck and boat, Az trailer. Never been asked about it in over 8 years.

 

[Advantage 1]

X2 with MilkMoney about Nevada. My registration is $55 and they don't have a resident vs. non-resident.
Register the boat where you use it. I used to store my boat in Bullhead. Boat and trailer reg in AZ, I lived in CA. If I ever got pulled over just tell the cop your bringing it back home to register. I'm sure your not required to change registration before you move it.
When I moved to Nevada, I had a Ca truck, Az boat trailer with Nv boat reg. I've had my truck with Oregon plates again with Nv/Az boat/trailer. Now Nv truck and boat, Az trailer. Never been asked about it in over 8 years.

But if you are moving it, you are required to obtain a permit. I talked with my local California AAA. They gave me this:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch25/ch25_3

It is a one time movement permit so you can legally bring the AZ plated trailer to CA to register (as in my case). It was around $20. You get pulled over and you are covered. :thumbup: AAA rocks!

 

[TBulger]

Be carefull with the insurance on anything, getting complicated.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Go Nevada, but you have to take them to Vegas to get them transferred

 

[530RL]

Arizona is cheaper to register than California. Don't speed, and you will never get pulled over in California and it will not matter.

Besides, I thought all you California ballers were residents of Incline Village, Nevada?

 

[530RL]

You make Apple seem stand up

There is a difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion.

 

[Abc123]

There is a difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion.

Lol:thumbup:

 

[milkmoney]

Lol I had my truck reg. in Idaho while living in Vegas.
Had my rv reg. in Idaho and it stayed in Parker , Cali side.

Had my boat and boat trailer reg in nv and it was stored in Parker , az side.

I do everything in my power to save a buck anywhere I can.

All this being done living in Vegas [emoji106]

 

[milkmoney]

I am just trying to prevent the government from STEALING more of my hard earned money.

Good luck with that. I am so pissed at this irs bullshit that I told the accountant yesterday that Australia or New Zealand looked good [emoji107]

 

[LorenzoP]

I live in San Diego and I'm about to buy a 1989 19' ski boat in AZ. Both the boat and trailer are tagged/registered in AZ till 2021.
I will haul it to San Diego and mainly keep it in San Diego. I do have a sister living in AZ where she has plenty of storage space when needed or for when I decide to use it in AZ.
Being a newbie to the boating world, what would be my best option to save money on registration/tags on both the boat and trailer assuming I have the option of using my sister's home address in AZ, but keeping the new toy primarily in San Diego? I obviously have my pickup truck registered in CA as well as only a CA DL.
Thanks.