California Luxury Tax

SpookFreak · Post by **SpookFreak** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:24 am

Does anyone know if there is any corners to cut with the boat luxury tax?
When I registered my boat I only registered the cost of the boat and trailer, not the engine which
the salesman told me was ok since the motors are a big part of the boat cost.
Now I get this letter from the Los Angeles Assessor for an assesed amount of $29,000.
I was expecting this but not at that amount. Just wondering if I can lower it in any way.
I have 10 days to protest this amount says the letter.

Thanks

drew · Post by **drew** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 8:18 am

There is no CA luxury tax. I think your referring to your counties property tax on your boat. The tax is for your boat, permanent equipment and motor not the trailer. This applies to property that is located in the county on Jan 1st.

The county will use a few different methods to evaluate the value of the property. The most common is the NADA guide and Edmunds. Brand new boats are not as difficult since the retail value is easy to find from the manufacturer. Usually this fee is for two years.

If you register your boat some where else and it is there on Jan 1st you do not have to pay local property tax. You will have to pay the tax and reg for the the other location though.

SpookFreak wrote:Does anyone know if there is any corners to cut with the boat luxury tax?
When I registered my boat I only registered the cost of the boat and trailer, not the engine which
the salesman told me was ok since the motors are a big part of the boat cost.
Now I get this letter from the Los Angeles Assessor for an assesed amount of $29,000.
I was expecting this but not at that amount. Just wondering if I can lower it in any way.
I have 10 days to protest this amount says the letter.

Thanks

SpookFreak · Post by **SpookFreak** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 10:15 am

Thanks for the reply
This boat is a 2012 / 518. I am the 2nd owner.
I am aware that there is going to be some property taxes. This is not my first
Boat. With that said can I contest the value?. I purchased the boat in may of of 2014.
I dont want to give this state anymore than I have to.
We are all being raped as it is living in California.
Thanks

drew · Post by **drew** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 3:02 pm

Trailers can be worth a lot, especially those Ranger trailers. Maybe $7-10K

When you fill out the initial assessment deceleration subtract the trailer amount from the low NADA or purchase price. Usually they will be close to the low side of the value if not you can dispute it.

SpookFreak wrote:Thanks for the reply
This boat is a 2012 / 518. I am the 2nd owner.
I am aware that there is going to be some property taxes. This is not my first
Boat. With that said can I contest the value?. I purchased the boat in may of of 2014.
I dont want to give this state anymore than I have to.
We are all being raped as it is living in California.
Thanks

SpookFreak · Post by **SpookFreak** » Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:53 am

Sounds like they are adding in the trailer with the assessment and then some so I will definitely contest this thanks so much for the information.

Popper · Post by **Popper** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 7:13 am

A 518 access at $29k exceeds the value of the boat.
I'd send in NADA lowest value to the accessor office. Better yet, go to the accessor office personally to resolve this issue.

Regarding the tax...
It's B.S

We are paying property tax (boat) that resides on a property (land/home) that we're paying property tax.
This is double taxation....
Trailer and boat registration included with the tax.

Next thing the liberal State going to do is have us pay property taxes on cars, lawn mowers, motorcycles, etc...

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 1:46 pm

I heard the yacht owners on the west coast avoid this by taking possession of their boats down in Baja, and then sailing them back up here after three months.

poacher · Post by **poacher** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 5:05 pm

Another bs california tax

Rich reeser · Post by **Rich reeser** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:02 am

You can thank our past governor Gray Davis for this, it was to be for only 10 years. I have contested this before and won. Once your vessel value drops below 10K you no longer have to pay the tax.

Popper · Post by **Popper** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:09 am

How many taxes are enacted based on a few years only to remain permentantly?
-A Democrat controled State will never...........reduce or eliminate taxes.

Ed