This might be related to Doug/Vamanos's thread but thought I would start a new one.
I keep my boat in Baja with current tags on the boat. When I received my 2009 personal property tax assessment from the county I called them
explaining that I do not store the boat in this county or any county in CA. After a long, long silence I was told that if the boat is registered in CA
then the property tax is due in the county that the owner lives, regardless if it is actually in the county. I did not pay in 2009 or 2010 and have
never heard anything from them since that one conversation.
I suspect that if I continue to register the boat every 2 years, then I will continue to receive the property tax assessments. This right?
By the way, Progressive has the insurance and I believe it is a requirement that it be registered. Not completely sure about that.vacaenbaja - 12-1-2010 at 11:26 AM
What is the value of your boat? I have owned a few tin boats
of low value and have never been sent a tax bill. Is there some dollar amount threshold or have I just been falling between the cracks.Jack Swords - 12-1-2010 at 11:45 AM
We brought our salboat down from Ventura, CA. The tax guy has a rep of not letting go of the personal property tax. So, we wrote him we were
leaving, sent him copies of marina slip fees, copy of our importation permit, etc. as proof that the boat was not in his county. The boat does carry
CA registration that is current, and has for 12 years. The tax guy caved and we do not get a tax bill.durrelllrobert - 12-1-2010 at 12:57 PM
boats no longer require registration to operate in Baja so, unless you plan to take it back to CA why even register it?
[Edited on 12-1-2010 by durrelllrobert]Jack Swords - 12-1-2010 at 01:15 PM
The fee to register our boat in CA is cheap. The fact that it is a CA registered boat is on our TIP (temporary importation permit) and our
insurance. We could document it, but the registration is easier.
Avoiding the Tax.
MrBillM - 12-1-2010 at 02:02 PM
Perhaps 15 years ago, I sent a notice to the County that my boat was in Baja and was no longer kept in California.
The county sent the information to the State which sent me notice that, since the boat was no longer kept in California, they were canceling my state
registration.
I advised them that my boat was returning to California.nobaddays - 12-2-2010 at 08:16 AM
I used to have a catamaran in San Felipe. I tried not to pay this tax. It became a lein by Imperial County. I had to pay.Santiago - 12-2-2010 at 08:46 AM
Lots of different experiences I see. Probably up to the individual county I'm guessing.DENNIS - 12-2-2010 at 08:50 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
Lots of different experiences I see. Probably up to the individual county I'm guessing.
Don't worry. Jerry Brown will get it all straightened out for ya. Alan - 12-2-2010 at 10:13 AM
Do you really think you can own anything that our govt won't take a piece of?? Just wait until Gov. Moonbeam takes officedurrelllrobert - 12-2-2010 at 11:27 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Jack Swords
The fee to register our boat in CA is cheap. The fact that it is a CA registered boat is on our TIP (temporary importation permit) and our
insurance. We could document it, but the registration is easier.
are you sure your insurance covers the
boat in MX waters?Santiago - 12-2-2010 at 11:55 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I guessing Jack has an international policy for sail boaters; I suspect the marina requires it. My boat, an 18' aluminum FishRite, is valued on the
policy at $30K and my policy with Progressive is in force in Baja, excepting the liability portion. Here is the wording from the policy: In addition to the territory specified in the General Provisions section of this policy, if you pay the premium for Comp/Coll Coverage, coverage
under this Part IV shall apply to any loss that occurs within any state, territory, or possession of Mexico, including ocean waters within 75 nautical
miles of its coast.Barry A. - 12-2-2010 at 02:29 PM
It must be a county by county thing. I own 3 boats of size, all stored here in Shasta County in N. CA----one is a Boston Whaler, a 14' Gregor
'tin-boat', and a 18' tin-canoe with kicker------other than the DMV fees every two years for the sticker, I pay no taxes on these boats, and have not
been billed.
(now, I suppose I will be billed as the "tax police" are everywhere)
BarrySantiago - 12-2-2010 at 03:52 PM
From the Board of Equalization's web site.
6. Are California registered vessels owned by California residents still assessable when located outside of California waters?
Yes. Until such time as a vessel’s habitual place of mooring has been established elsewhere, a vessel documented in California continues to be
taxable in California. That is, if the vessel is not in California, but is traveling from one place to another and has not become permanently situated
in one place outside of California, the vessel is still assessable in California.
Hey Barry - what's your address and I'll let thme know you wanted to send them a check BajaWarrior - 12-2-2010 at 04:19 PM
What is the minimum boat length to qualify for the luxury tax?
Size Doesn't Matter
MrBillM - 12-2-2010 at 04:43 PM
Value Does.
Theoretically, ALL are subject to the Tax, however, it appears there is a bottom figure on assessment, although I don't know what it is.
From the State of California regarding Unsecured (other than land) property taxes:
"All personal business property and luxury property in the State of California is subject to an annual tax. A boat or vessel, except for one used in
commerce or fishing, is considered a luxury item".Barry A. - 12-2-2010 at 05:15 PM
Shhhhhhhhh----silence is golden, you know. All 3 boats are currently registered, and have been for years------go figure!!!! Maybe it's the "value"
thing, tho I would think the Whaler qualifies, tho 26 years old. Oh well-----------back into hiding.
BarrySantiago - 12-2-2010 at 05:24 PM
I think Bill has it right - the county told me they are alerted to the asset via the payment of the registration fees to the DMV and they then decide
if it's worth it to send a notice. Must be some level of value to trigger it: my 1977 15' Gregor that I inherited from my dad never gets an
assessment notice from the county but my bigger boat does.
Ok, enough of this.Jack Swords - 12-2-2010 at 05:45 PM
Interesting different experiences. We've been out of CA for 12 years with the boat in Marina de la Paz. We carry hull insurance through Zurich.
After being damaged by hurricane Marty, Zurich flew an adjuster down, covered damages in full, less the deductible. Liability insurance (required by
the marina) is through a Mexican insurer. We do still pay CA registration, but never received a tax bill from Ventura county since we sailed the boat
down to La Paz and sent them paperwork as to our new location. Never received anything but the registration sticker from CA.
Orange County is possibly the worst
Hook - 12-2-2010 at 07:56 PM
I have sent them my TIP, my current registration in another state (South Dakota), my first year's receipt for storage in Sonora and they still refuse
to go away.vacaenbaja - 12-2-2010 at 09:30 PM
Yes Orange countyhas long been the worst. My friends gets taxed all the time. They even try to recover back taxes from before he owned it. He asked
me if I ever get taxed and I said no, but then my boats are old small (under 18ft)and consequently of low book value. They are also
designated as fishing boats in theire model discriptions, if that makes a difference.Lobsterman - 12-2-2010 at 09:41 PM
Boats over $10,000 or more are assested a property tax if the CA Equalization Tax Board finds out about them. When I use to store my boat at
Campland in San Diego a CA Equalization Tax Board contractor would walk up and down the rows of boats, assess their value & note the license
plate. If over $10,000 they would send you a property tax bill. You can contest the amount assessed on your boat just like the value of your home.
But they could also assess it for more if you complain. That was back in the 90's.
When I bought the boat I have now I had the seller write me a receipt for $9,900 when I registered it for the 1st time. Thus no property tax bill.
From the CA Equalization Tax Board website:
"Boats and Aircraft
3. Are boats and aircraft subject to property tax?
Boats and aircraft are taxable and are subject to annual appraisal. Their values are determined by reviewing sales of comparable boats and airplanes.
Information on their locations and ownerships is obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles, the United States Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation
Administration, on-site inspections, and other public and private sources."
[Edited on 12-3-2010 by Lobsterman]
The Aggressive Tax Man
MrBillM - 12-3-2010 at 11:04 AM
For Four years, I had my boat on a Harbor District Mooring in San Diego, first at Coronado and later Laurel street paying personal property tax in my
home county of San Bernardino.
I later moved the boat into a slip on Harbor Island and that year received an assessment from San Diego County. A LOT of paperwork flowed between
myself and the County regarding the double assessment, including their threatening a lien for the unpaid bill, before they finally canceled the whole
thing.
I surmised that they must troll the Marinas, but it seemed odd that they didn't collect info from their own Harbor District.
Once they zero-in on you, they ARE aggressive.Alan - 12-3-2010 at 05:19 PM
It is definitely a county by county thing and is dependent upon what assessments the voters (or prior to Prop 13, their representatives) in each
county have passed for themselves. Over the years I have even had assessments for schools and water systems applied to my boats. To be billed or not
is dependent upon "assessed" value. Even our govt can come to the realization that below a specific value it may cost more to assess the property
than the revenue to be derived from that property
