Personal Property Tax on Boats

[bkhallpass]

Just got my annual personal property tax bill from the
County. For the privilege of owning a boat which I keep
in Contra Costa County, State of California, I get to pay $285.61
this year (the fee diminishes slightly each year, and is allegedly
based upon the appraised value of the boat).

Just curious - I know this fee is charged by most if not all counties
in California. Any other states out there charge a personal
property tax on boats? How much?

BKH

[igkya]

RE: Personal Property Tax on Boats

PA - Fayette County... No

[G-man]

Texas no-way Tax on personal property unless used in business

[dba4life]

We pay a tax in North Carolina. Not sure the percentage. Have not gotten the bill for the Nautique yet.

[Socbum]

Not in OH

[NautiqueJeff]

Yes in VA. Too much! Much more than yours.

[Baken]

Thats a negative in WA!

[99ProAir]

We don't pay that in Indiana.

[cranker]

So let me get this right.....they (your state or local government) charge you a tax because you own something ie a boat.....How do they know, do they go off your boat registration address??
Is this in addition to your boats annual registration fee??

Wow you guys are getting ripped off......Come to Australia......you own it and that means its yours, we only pay annual boat registration (ski boat $95).
Regards
shaun

[BASC]

Come to the UK, unless it is a requirement of the lake you are using you pay zero, zilch, nothing....... At the moment........ As we are closely linked to the US in many areas and seem to follow your countries lead, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the government realise they can take more money out of us and close this tax loophole!

[Tomfooter]

Yes in VA. Too much! Much more than yours.

DITTO THAT!! Virginia sticks it to you (especially Pulaski County). You get taxed on your boat AND trailer, Besides your registration fees! Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[rocco]

Tax

Well,Well,,,There are two things in this World we got to do.
#1--------PAY TAXES
#2---------Died
Like the Old saying goes.....
If your going to dance,you got to pay the Fiddler!!!!!!!!!!

[bkhallpass]

So let me get this right.....they (your state or local government) charge you a tax because you own something ie a boat.....

Cranker, yes, you have this right. This is what some people call
a luxury tax. In California, the amount of personal property tax
is set by each county, but on average, it is 1% of the appraised value
of the boat, each year. Thus, the first year I purchased the boat
(for some $50K), my tax was $500. The only good new is that
the counties depreciation schedule is faster than the actual
depreciation of the boat. Thus, this year I was taxed on an appraised
value of some $26.5K when the boat is worth much more than that.
Everyone who has a boat must pay the tax.

In addition, the county has tacked two school bonds on top of this tax.
These bonds add another $15 per year to the tax. These bonds have
absolutely nothing to do with boating.

We also must pay a separate registration for boat and trailer. However,
this is one of the few fees I know of in California that is relatively
inexpensive - Boats are only $10 every two years, and trailers are
a one time registration fee which is good for lifetime (I don't recall the
amount, but it seems like it was about $100).

When I sent this out, I thought that California might be the only state
with such a tax and/or the most expensive. It appears that I was
wrong. It seems that some counties in North Carolina impose a 1% tax
and charge registration in excess of $100 per year. Jeff also says that
Virginia is quite high, though he did not provide any numbers.

For those in the UK and AUS, I think I'll take my taxes over your
gas prices. Seems like a better deal for me in the long run.

We've heard from about 10 states in the US so far. Would love
to hear from more states out there.

Regards,

BKH

[MARK-S]

Lefty states pay the tax, righty states dont. Thats what I get out of that poll. except in Minn, we are leftys, but dont have the PP tax on boats.

[ag4ever]

Why is this PP tax only on boats. If it is truly a tax on personal property, then should it not also apply to furniture, TVs, stereos, lawn equipment, guns, etc...

They should call the tax: "You can afford it, so we are taking it from you tax"