robbonds

i live in florida - looking at used car in maryland...do i pay sales tax ?

MMD

You will probably will be coughing up the sales tax $$$ when you go to register the car in FL.

Putt-Putt

Depends on the state. Here in AZ you never pay sales tax on a vehicle purchased from a private party, regardless of the location. You only pay sales tax in AZ when you buy from a dealer. That's why, when I shopped my C2S I looked in Autotrader.com and looked for 'Private Seller' ads only. I saved about $7k in sales tax + 1 years depreciation (15K) by purchasing a pre-owned pristine car with about 2000 miles (22k total savings).

Call your DMV and ask how your state handles it.

texas911

Of course you do! That would be a massive loop hole that everyone would be using if it weren't.

baboou

Florida requires sales tax when you register the car regardless of where you purchased it or whether purchased from a private party or a dealer.

You'll need to provide a Bill of Sale from the owner or the amount paid indicated on the title if there's a place for it on the title.

MHC2S

Just bought a 997S out of state this past weekend. Had to pay NJ state taxes when I Titled it in NJ. Unfortunately Taxes are part of life

jyoon

in most states a private individual selling a car does not have to charge sales tax and you pay the tax to your state when you title the car.

if you buy from a dealer out of state, they collect sales tax, then you get a credit for the state sales tax when you go to register the car in your state. some states have a separate excise or county tax that you may still have to pay to your state even if you paid a state sales tax where you bought your car.

DrDrilZ

in georgia, if you buy a used car from a private party, whether its in state or out, there is no sales tax.
we have other taxes that make up for that though.

Porky

For us Non US guys, how much is the sales tax and which is the best state to buy in?

MMD

BTW, if you wanna get "funny" with the private seller and doctor the amount "paid" and cheat, the state will notice the disparity between market value and what, you..., ahem..., paid. They will charge you the market value and probably give you a dirty look.

lmmotola

When you say non-US, do you mean you will be shipping the car out of the country? If not you will probably have sales tax in the state you register the car.

LVDell

I registered several cars (3 BMW's) at different times when I lived in Texas and when you go private party it is based on the honor system......YOU FILL IN THE SALES AMOUNT ON THE TITLE REGISITRATION.

Needless to say you can say the car was "given" to you in exchange for a debt (you loaned your friend "x" amount of money and he gave you the car as payment). Then you pay the gift tax which is like $15 or so.

Ethical? No. Money saver? Yes.