Tax, tag and title

[JC]

I found this amazing 1987 VW Wolfesburg Vanagon in Tampa, the guy wants $1,500.00 for it.  I figured I could work him down to $1,300.00 and save a couple of bucks.  In preparation for buying this lovely beast I called the tag agency and was shocked, the estimate for getting this car on the road was over 400 American Dollars can someone explain this to me?  Can someone also explain to me why if you purchase a 6 series Beemer for $100,000.00 you dont have to pay $35,000.00 to get it on the road? 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

This is FLs way of not having a 'property' tax on your cars, boats, bikes, etc...  They hit you up big on registrations, tags and the liike.  When I owned a vehicle in SC - I paid approx $180/year of property tax, but that number was based on the value of the vehicle so it is reduced as your car depreiciates.  I paid $35 for a registration sticker.  Don't remember the tag fee.  I don't remember what I pay for registration here, but I believe it just increased by 60% - 70% from the $90 it was. 

Driving is becoming a very expensive priviledge.  I wonder if there are any plans for JTA to improve their services so I wouldn't have to drive anymore??     

[JC]

This is FLs way of not having a 'property' tax on your cars, boats, bikes, etc...  They hit you up big on registrations, tags and the liike.  When I owned a vehicle in SC - I paid approx $180/year of property tax, but that number was based on the value of the vehicle so it is reduced as your car depreiciates.  I paid $35 for a registration sticker.  Don't remember the tag fee.  I don't remember what I pay for registration here, but I believe it just increased by 60% - 70% from the $90 it was. 

Driving is becoming a very expensive priviledge.  I wonder if there are any plans for JTA to improve their services so I wouldn't have to drive anymore??     

I probably wont buy the car now... Argg!!!!

[Dog Walker]

Some states, like Virginia, you can pay over a thousand a year on your car for personal property tax and four or five thousand on your trailerable fishing boat.

JC, what goes into making up the $400?  Sounds high to me, but it's been a long time since I bought a car.

[CS Foltz]

JC...........sounds a little high for that VW, but makes sense if the car was not registered in the State of Florida to begin with! Thats where the State gets their share and then some! Don't know of anyway around it..........either pay it or don't.........your call!

[ChriswUfGator]

The State's new tag and title fees are utterly outrageous. The folks defending these rate hikes always point out that we don't have a state income tax, however that's because we have a 6%-7% sales tax in the largest tourist economy in the US. We really shouldn't need an income tax, with that revenue flowing in.

[CS Foltz]

chris.............COJ, the State and the Feds are all hurting for money! If all of the governments actually operated on what they brought in, you know like WE have to, we would not be having revenue issue's.......but thats just me!

[ChriswUfGator]

chris.............COJ, the State and the Feds are all hurting for money! If all of the governments actually operated on what they brought in, you know like WE have to, we would not be having revenue issue's.......but thats just me!

They didn't even have to try, really. They all had surpluses rolling in during the boom years, but instead of saving any of it they all squandered it on things that became unsupportable once the economy has collapsed. Governments really need to learn that they, much like private industry, are not immune to economic cycles.

[stjr]

Seems to me if you TRANSFER the tag from another vehicle, you could save some bucks.  The $400 (actually, it looks like the one time part is $225) is kind of like an automobile "impact" fee, i.e. the cost of adding a net new vehicle to the roads of Florida.

From Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles ( http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/faqmotor.html#5 ):

Initial Registration fee
This is charged when applicant does not have a Florida registration to transfer.    $225.00

Do I have to turn in my license plate when I sell my car, and if I do, do I have to pay the $225 "new wheels on the road" fee again?

When a vehicle is sold and the license plate is transferred to a replacement vehicle the $225 Initial Registration fee is not required. If the vehicle is not replaced the license plate must be turned in to the driver license office or tax collector to prevent a driver license suspension. The vehicle registration will be printed indicating license plate canceled (when the license plate is returned to a tax collector's office) or the registration will be stamped "canceled" (when the license plate is returned to a driver license office). This may be used to exempt the $225 Initial Registration fee when a replacement vehicle is registered.

Are there any exemptions for the $225 Initial Registration Fee?

Section 320.072, Florida Statutes, provides for exemptions of the $225 Initial Registration fee. For example: when the vehicle being registered is a replacement vehicle for a vehicle that has been disposed. If the fee is not paid at this time and the owner decides to reregister the old vehicle, this will be an additional vehicle registered because the owner now has two vehicles registered instead of one.

[JC]

Yeah, its because I am adding, not replacing, however the thing may get driven once a week.  Its more for when all five of us go out together or if we get a wild hair and go camping this fall.  I am probably goingto get it, its a Vanagon and its smokin hot, dents and all!

[ricker]

I raise my glass to you! post a pic! I bet she's a beaute

[JC]

Got it, she has already been named 'smokey' I think the rear main seal needs replacing regardless, there is an oil leak.  However she runs strong and shifts smooth and minus the oily sheen on the back window she effortlessly made the trip back to Yulee from Tampa.  Oh and my wife Knocked him down $300!

[Dog Walker]

Great deal on a useful vehicle and properly maintained they will run forever.

[Overstreet]

You would also be paying sales tax on the purchase.

Figure $105.