Community Forums

homefor2 · 03-07-2023, 06:03 PM

This is a bit of a complicated scenario I’m trying to figure out. First off, I am a Canadian. I bought a lot in an RV resort in Ca. It came with a trailer that is registered to a LLC in Montana. I figured On registering the trailer but wondered if I have to register it in Ca. as it won’t be moved from my lot. If I can register in Montana I might save some $. Any non residents been through this ?

dons2346 · 03-07-2023, 07:47 PM

I don't see how registering to a LLC will save any $$. Could be best to just register in CA. If the trailer will never move from the lot, you can get a non operational registration for cheap. But if you move the unit off the lot,you will have to recoup the past registration fees.

DR60 · 03-07-2023, 09:33 PM

registering it in another state will save quite a bit in sales tax, and several hundred a year in state of CA registration. As long as it does not leave the park I don't see the downside. DR

Dutch Star Don · 03-08-2023, 02:22 PM

If it's permanently parked on a lot, you own, I don't think you need to register it unless the resort is requiring it. It only needs to be registered if used on the highway. It's just like a mobile home permanently parked in a park.

Ask the park how other trailers are handled.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-09-2023, 12:07 PM

It doesn't appear there is necessarily any CA sales tax in this scenario - the RV came on the lot. If may not be registered for the road at all, and the Montana title may be all that is needed to prove ownership. But if CA finds it at the RV park, they might insist it be tagged to CA rules. That is likely to get expensive.

SacRV · 03-09-2023, 01:51 PM

Technically you’d have to register it in the state you reside in. I would think the seller will need to do a transfer of registration to release his liability of the trailer. That’s when you’d be obligated to register it.

Now you may be required to take the trailer to a DMV office for a VIN verification. However, you can hire a private VIN verifier who will come out on-site and do it for you.

We did that when we purchased our trailer. We bought it from a dealer in Illinois and had it delivered to our property in California. Due to its size and difficulty in getting it into place this was the route we went. It’s a little cumbersome and costly but you can do it.

DR60 · 03-09-2023, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

It doesn't appear there is necessarily any CA sales tax in this scenario - the RV came on the lot. If may not be registered for the road at all, and the Montana title may be all that is needed to prove ownership. But if CA finds it at the RV park, they might insist it be tagged to CA rules. That is likely to get expensive.

Ca wants their sales tax! They also want the registration fees. Even Mobile Homes that are not on permanent foundations are required to have current registrations. There are exceptions for traveling with a out of state registration.
Ca has not always used the same standard of enforcement.
One other thing the OP should look into. Ca has looked at people that they believe have substantial ties to the state and asked for state income tax [ on their full earnings]. This is one of those times where I would be talking to a CA tax attny. I would want to know if a CA registration would trigger a Franchise Tax filing. Good Luck DR