What taxes are Ca residents paying on cars

Just the yearly registration

 

Just yearly registration, which depends on a formula for the value of the car -- usually associated by year.

 

For a 2012 California you will pay 8.25% sales tax plus 1.15% (I think) license. So figure roughly 10%. If you buy a 2012 CA for $200k, figure $20,000 for tax and license. Then roughly $2,000/year.

 

Sales tax also depends on the County you live in. In San Mateo County in Northern California, sales tax goes up to 9% on April 1.

 

The VLF is the property tax portion of the registration (VLF is the part you can deduct from your federal taxes). It does go down a lot over time. My 308 was less than $60 last year, but my Jeep was close to $500 when I bought it new 2 years ago. This year the Jeep was $250.

 

The Vehicle License Fee (which comprises most of your annual registration in CA) is based on a schedule that lowers the fee about 8-10 percent, on average, for the first eleven years of the car's ownership (full value the first year, descending each year afterwards). The specifics of California registration, which is a major source of income for local cities and counties, is pretty exotic and arcane.

As noted, where you live also dictates the exact registration fee. Same goes for sales tax, which is based on the vehicle's registered residence. If you want a specific answer, follow the link to the new or renewal calculators and you will see the amount for your car. If you're considering a purchase, use the VIN and you can anticipate pretty much what it will be (for vehicle and sales taxes).

The registration fees in CA are pretty steep (which is why you see cars floating around with AZ or NV plates at times that seem to "live" in your neighborhood) but the State does not charge a personal property tax on vehicles, which some others do.

Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator

Regards, Bob H

 

Move to AZ and visit CA only when you need to and save BIG $.

 

LA County 9.75% soon.

This varies in many ways.


New = depends on the county you live in as per Los Angeles County its going to go back up soon 9.75% and DMV is 2.21%.



eventually its only a matter of time you will see some political shenanigans like this in California.

Ferraris Out of Fashion as Italy Nabs Tax Evaders - Bloomberg