----- Original Message -----
From: "John Carpenter" <Trvlr2001@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sat 28 February 2004 18:40
Subject: Sales tax in CA?

> Hi All,
> I had a chance to bid on a Californian Vanagon, on Ebay.
> The seller is a dealer, and has informed me, that I have to pay
> .0825 sales tax to CA.
> In the past, I have always paid sales tax
> to my home State, when I license to vehicle.
> Is this a new procedure?
> thanks,
> John C.
> SLC, UT...

The dealer is wrong.  Sales tax for vehicles is paid in the state it is
registered in.  If you are going to drive it home, you can get a 30 day
temporary tag that allows you to drive it out of the state, and will not
need current plates.  If you pay tax in California, when you get to your
home state and go to register it, they will tax you again.  If that happens,
you can file to have the tax returned from California, but it's easier (and
legal) to just not pay it in the first place.  You would only have to pay
tax (and register it in California) if you were going to be in the state for
longer than thirty days after buying it.  Even a diesel Vanagon can make the
border in thirty days!! :-)

The dealer must not have the non-resident paperwork handy that they need to
file (it's just one form).  Or they are too lazy!!

Don in Phoenix, AZ
Formerly Don in California (for 45+ years...)