Unsecured Property Tax Bill on your Vessel

deltabass · Post by **deltabass** » Fri Sep 10, 2021 8:36 am

I'm curious if this is California state wide, or a county by county thing. What are the tax collectors doing with this money?

Sacramento County is charging 1% based on the NADA Guide value of your boat minus the trailer. It doesn't matter what you actually paid for the vessel unless it was a restoration, etc. and can prove it. At least that's what I was told when I called telling them that I paid less then their assessed value.

Also added to the amount were taxes related to the schools (high school, elementary school and college) in my respective area.

Anyone with some insight?

Whoopbass · Post by **Whoopbass** » Fri Sep 10, 2021 9:15 am

I live in Stanislaus county and my bill was just like yours. School garbage added on. I assume those school taxes won't be on our property taxes next go around but who knows.
What do they do with the money????

marinerfandave · Post by **marinerfandave** » Fri Sep 10, 2021 9:34 am

They are using the money to protect our Delta fishery

PeteD · Post by **PeteD** » Fri Sep 10, 2021 11:55 am

when I last read mine costs were for Parks and Recreation, CHP, and maybe DMV.
I believe Aircraft owners also pay this.
When I asked the contra county tax assessor, he said they bluebook/NADA the vessel and go by that.
They don't come and look at the vessel, if you dispute the cost the owner has to go get three appraisals, and then they MIGHT think about lowering the charge.
If you don't pay the fee a lien goes on your name.
You can deduct it on your taxes.

squidbefsh · Post by **squidbefsh** » Fri Sep 10, 2021 1:38 pm

Hello. This is important. The state has passed a bill where anything under $ 10,000 is now exempt for vessels. I got my notice for both my boats for Tulare county. The letter i got with it explained they have removed the fee as it was costing them a lot of money for someones old boat to send in your $ 5 bucks. My ' 99 basscat last year i paid the $ 89 as they said it was worth $ 8900. Now $ 0. Something is happening in a good direction. It might be different in your county. Thanks