It’s a “privilege” to live in California 😬

[jerry davis]

Originally Posted by V3600

I was in Cali in June and had the privilege of buying some diesel for $ 4.29 a gallon. Must of been the best diesel around. It doubled my fuel mileage and tripled the torque

And the high fuel cost gave you much nicer roads to cruise on, not!

[TJ]

I hope Washington state doesn't read this forum! Basic annual registration is $60 plus a few bucks in administrative fees. Mine costs a bit more as I have a personalized license plate on the coach.

That said, the initial registration took a huge bite with an in-lieu "use tax" (same rate as the sales tax and varies a bit by county); about $25K. Good thing they give you an offset for the trade-in value!

Since we own property in Montana, we considered licensing it there. No sales/use tax, BUT Montana has now slapped an $800 annual surcharge on the licensing of motorhomes with a MSRP over $300K. That's in addition to the $282.50 annual registration fee. The annual registration fee declines with the age of the coach but, as far as I can see, the $800 surcharge does not.

Washington will not recognize any out-of-state registration for more than 30 days and the fines are stiff for not registering within that time frame. I even inquired about how long a visitor could remain in the state without re-registering. The answer was the same; 30 days. Not sure how they would enforce that, however.

Bottom line is that most states view us motorhome owners as a "cash cow," to be milked vigorously...one way or another.

TJ

[sdennislee]

For 2 year renewal in Alaska with Veteran plates it's $170.00. $100 for the registration and $70.00 for local taxes. Might be few bucks cheaper without the Veteran plates but I like the look of the Veteran plates.

[gtsum2]

Originally Posted by Mark D

In CT it is taxed at close to 8% when registered. Then each year it is taxed like a house. So a $300k motorhome would cost $22k plus to register and in a mid tax town you would pay another $5,000 to $7,000 each year in property tax. Registration each year would only be a few hundred dollars.

Yikes..and here I thought va’s 3.6% PP tax was bad

[janniemac]

2018 Ventana. Plates were almost $6000 here in Colorado. As much as our house. Will be nearly as much the next 3 years. Ugh...

[rk911]

Originally Posted by Stuart W

You know what they say, a picture is worth $2165 [emoji51]
Second year 2018 DS 4369
I didn’t write this to complain, wanted the more fortunate to feel lucky[emoji4]
Tell us what you pay per year to the DMV/State

illinois..the very definition of corruption...annual license plate is ~$100.

[NWIP]

I was born and raised in Ca, lived there for over 45 years until going to a much more favorable state...NY��, 18 years ago. I saw the roads deteriorate and fees go up before leaving. I bought a previously owned MH in GA while I lived in NY, registering in NY was most painful experience , especially the boat which was a package deal. Boat had to be removed from trailer so I could get the weight of trailer as that is what they base the registration on. When I bought my current 2017 DS I still lived in NY but had address in FL, thought I would register in NY as I didn’t want to get caught doing the “wrong thing”, 3 different trips to DMV with no success in sight I said enough. I registered in FL, paid their sales tax saving 2.25% and obtained FL drivers license eliminating the CDL class B I was facing in NY. Just renewed my tags for 2 years for under $100. Glad to be a FL resident.

PS My 92 year old father still lives in CA and he tells me all the time the high taxes/fees are the privilege of living in paradise.

[Ramets]

This SoCal native left years ago. I don't even recognize the state of my birth anymore. And to be honest, I don't miss it at all.

[SteveOGilroy]

We are looking at TN as a possible state to move to. What is the sales tax rate there. How are your property taxes? We currently live in Texas but love to visit TN and never felt the sales taxes were to high.

[Highway 4x4]

The fact is, cal has been a single party state for many, many years now and they are slowly managing the state into BK. There is no financial reason for a retired person to live in cal and many are leaving. Taxes and fees are constantly going up with no end in sight. My 5 year old TT is $220 a year and my 5 year old pickup is over $600. With sales tax at 9%+ and high reg I wonder how anyone buys a DP MH in this state. (Montana LLC).

[YesMan]

Well, the good news is now we get our own satellite! Maybe they can match the paint with the bullet train, to show the other states how its done!

I would have already moved but i'm too close to retirement, so im trapped for a few more years!

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Stuart W

You know what they say, a picture is worth $2165 [emoji51]
Second year 2018 DS 4369
I didn’t write this to complain, wanted the more fortunate to feel lucky[emoji4]
Tell us what you pay per year to the DMV/State

The Golden State! Ouch

- - - -

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Tranquil Jim

I hope Washington state doesn't read this forum! Basic annual registration is $60 plus a few bucks in administrative fees. Mine costs a bit more as I have a personalized license plate on the coach.

That said, the initial registration took a huge bite with an in-lieu "use tax" (same rate as the sales tax and varies a bit by county); about $25K. Good thing they give you an offset for the trade-in value!

Since we own property in Montana, we considered licensing it there. No sales/use tax, BUT Montana has now slapped an $800 annual surcharge on the licensing of motorhomes with a MSRP over $300K. That's in addition to the $282.50 annual registration fee. The annual registration fee declines with the age of the coach but, as far as I can see, the $800 surcharge does not.

Washington will not recognize any out-of-state registration for more than 30 days and the fines are stiff for not registering within that time frame. I even inquired about how long a visitor could remain in the state without re-registering. The answer was the same; 30 days. Not sure how they would enforce that, however.

Bottom line is that most states view us motorhome owners as a "cash cow," to be milked vigorously...one way or another.

TJ

I think flathead county avoids this additional fee doesn't it? We have a home in Coram, and I considered registering my new MH there. The final reason I didn't was the insurance. I spend more time in Texas, and then only options I had was to either claim full time, or register it in Texas. So I am paying 6.25% sales tax one time, then less than $400 /yr afterwards.

[sbleiweiss]

AZ is also expensive. IL was a flat fee of something like $100 for any vehicle including any motorhome.