Anyone Else Getting Drilled by Car Registration Fees? (Oakland, Merced: real estate, rental)

[cb73]

The reg fee is based like property tax--on the value of the car, not on the use or mileage.

[yeahthatguy]

Originally Posted by cb73

The reg fee is based like property tax--on the value of the car, not on the use or mileage.

Which makes no sense .. It's yet another regressive tax in California. Other sensible states tax based on car's weight as it would put more wear on the road.. whereas, in cali, if you have more you pay more... why? because you can and they can tax you more.

I just got a notice that my rent is going up .. I am one more draw (all of the tax increases) from targetting 2012 as the year I gtfo here and move to a lower cost of living/tax state .

[steel7]

Originally Posted by yeahthatguy

Which makes no sense .. It's yet another regressive tax in California. Other sensible states tax based on car's weight as it would put more wear on the road.. whereas, in cali, if you have more you pay more... why? because you can and they can tax you more.

I just got a notice that my rent is going up .. I am one more draw (all of the tax increases) from targetting 2012 as the year I gtfo here and move to a lower cost of living/tax state .

How much is your rent increase ? My rent goes up next month just like it has for 12 yrs + i pay a rent control fee on top of that & a rip off paramedic fee (which is seperate).

[virgil tatro]

In Montana to register a new vehicle is about 500 dollars, the older they are the cheaper it gets. My sons 81 chevy truck is 54 dollars a year. any vehicle 11 years or older can be registered permanently for three times the cost of one years registration. so my sons truck was 162 dollars and we dont have to register it again ever.. No emissions testing here and no inspections...

[steel7]

Originally Posted by virgil tatro

In Montana to register a new vehicle is about 500 dollars, the older they are the cheaper it gets. My sons 81 chevy truck is 54 dollars a year. any vehicle 11 years or older can be registered permanently for three times the cost of one years registration. so my sons truck was 162 dollars and we dont have to register it again ever.. No emissions testing here and no inspections...

I wish the state would do that here but ca is a VERY greedy state. I pay $67.00 yr for my 85 olds & a smog is due this yr. Smogging every 2 yrs is lame but the state makes $8.25 per vehicle. That adds up big time.

[cb73]

There was an article in today's Sacramento Bee--the State Senate just passed a bill to allow the counties to set and raise their own vehicle registration fees. This would be in addition to the increase that the state is attempting to get.

They are projecting a return to the 2% fees we had before Grey Davis lowered them. (We pay .65% now, so that's a jump.)

[JosephineBeth]

Originally Posted by user_id

As I said before, taxes in California are relatively low for low/mid income folks, its all part of the evil socialist plot to destroy California. The average family in California is going to pay less in state taxes than in most other states. The median household income in California is around $59,000, a family making $59,000 will pay around $400~$600 in income taxes.

Anyhow, the car registration taxes are in the same vein as the income taxes, they are a largely progressive tax and the average family isn't going to pay much.

Well. I guess I must be abnormal. I paid $3207 in income taxes last year and my salary was not much higher than the $59K quoted above (not even close to the $100K!). Head of household with 2 dependants. I WISH I paid $400-600....where do you get these numbers???? They certainly aren't the case for me or anyone else I know! Of course I have no mortgage deduction since no way in hell I could ever afford to buy here in this city. I am calculating the costs for my move out of here and by my calculations assuming the exact same salary I will pocket $229 more a MONTH due to the tax differential. That might not seem like a ton but for me it's a lot.

And of course my student loan interest of $9000 is not deductible since I make just enough over to not be able to use it. Lovely. And let's not forget that, due to the crappy economy, all that educational loan repayment got me the job that doesn't make enough to actually live well but too much to take advantage of all the free programs. Lovely again.

Also as far as car registration. I just paid $240 to register a 2003 Toyota Highlander. I'm sorry - that's WAY TOO HIGH. In contrast my sister just bought a brand new van - very nice one. Cost? $43 to register in a state that has everyone pay the same.

I'm pretty bitter. I've watched services go down, schools lose tons of teachers, still the same crappy government service everywhere you go, and yet my costs keep going UP. NOT DOWN.

If I wasn't getting the heck out of dodge as soon as possible I'd be biting my nails off waiting for the rent increase myself. Last year my rent went up $100. Year before the same. And so on. I started 5 years ago around $1100 and I'm at almost $1600. But still a better deal than some other areas. 700 sq ft of old fixtures, dish*non*washer, peeling cabinets, and stained carpet. Joy. BUT I have great weather!

Nothing personal to anyone here really - I'm just really done with this state.

[JosephineBeth]

Originally Posted by user_id

Oh geez...next you're going to tell me they won't be able to afford two new Mercedes either. A family of 4 can easily live on $80k and live a decent life in Orange County, there is no need to live in a small apartment or eat Mac'n cheese every day (which isn't that cheap...btw).

Please tell me how to accomplish this. Truly. Perhaps it is the definition of "decent" life in which we differ. Because, to me, a decent life includes being able to OWN a home, provide for my kids, have decent cars (I drive a 7 year old Toyota - I couldn't even dream of a Mercedes nor afford the upkeep), pay off the student loans I needed to get to make that $80K AND have some left over to do things with - a vacation maybe every other year, extra services for my Autistic son, a new bike for my kid - and so on.

I live in a small apartment. I don't eat Mac and Cheese but I also don't spend over $400 a month on groceries. Admittedly my student loan debt is high and that affects it but even without that it would be exceptionally tight to afford a mortgage, PMI, AND property taxes!

Like I said maybe it's the "decent" part on which we differ which is fine - but I'm still very curious to know your definition. I have nothing extravagant at all - second hand couch, cheap IKEA tables, no fancy gadgets and I only this year even got a LCD TV (had to save for that one).

[user_id]

Originally Posted by JosephineBeth

Well. I guess I must be abnormal. I paid $3207 in income taxes last year and my salary was not much higher than the $59K quoted above (not even close to the $100K!). Head of household with 2 dependants. I WISH I paid $400-600....where do you get these numbers????

If you paid $3,207 as head of household with 2 dependents...you need to find someone new to do your taxes. Even with no deductions other than the standard deduction you'd only pay ~$1,300 after the the three personal exemptions. See the income tax calculator here:

2010 Tax Calculator

Originally Posted by JosephineBeth

Nothing personal to anyone here really - I'm just really done with this state.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out...

[user_id]

Originally Posted by JosephineBeth

Please tell me how to accomplish this. Truly. Perhaps it is the definition of "decent" life in which we differ. Because, to me, a decent life includes being able to OWN a home, provide for my kids, have decent cars (I drive a 7 year old Toyota.

My definition of decent does not depend on owning a house. Often owning, like in coastal California today, doesn't make financial sense. When I say "decent" I mean being able to afford a place in a good area next to reasonable schools, having basic luxuries like a good car, a vacation, some entertainment money, etc.

Anyhow, its not difficult at all to make it on $80k in Orange County.