Tax difference? If I buy used car in fort mill v/s charlotte? (sales, credit)

[ADA_NC]

We reside in Mecklenburg county.. but wanted to buy a car in Fortmill,SC. Is there a tax difference? In Meck its 8% of sale price I think.

[frewroad]

You don't pay sales tax on car purchases in NC. You will pay a 3% highway use tax when you register it with the NCDOT to get your title. There is/was a $1500 cap. You have to pay this tax if the vehicle is registered in NC regardless of where it's purchased though they will credit you for taxes paid in another state with some conditions.

[bs13690]

The government gets their money out of you one way or another, if you buy it here or in SC.

[Buckeye in SC]

The sales tax cap on cars in SC is currently $300. So, basically anything over $4000 (give or take a few hundred depending on the county rate which you buy the car in) is going to be capped at $300 - this needs to be changed IMO.

[28173]

So if a car is purchased in SC, buyer pays max of $300 and the difference (up to $1,200) to NC DMV?

Please confirm if you had gone through this experience, what is exactly required to be done once the car is purchased? I too consider purchasing a SC car...

[frewroad]

Purchasing a car in SC vs NC is a wash. You don't gain or lose by crossing the state line.

Like NC, you don't pay the $300 tax in SC unless you register the vehicle in SC.

Probably the biggest disadvantage by buying in SC is the dealer can't register the car for you which means you have to pay the fee separately.

[28173]

Originally Posted by frewroad

Purchasing a car in SC vs NC is a wash. You don't gain or lose by crossing the state line.

Like NC, you don't pay the $300 tax in SC unless you register the vehicle in SC.

Probably the biggest disadvantage by buying in SC is the dealer can't register the car for you which means you have to pay the fee separately.

I guess only reason remains (like in my case) if one finds a vehicle at a better price...

[GCharlotte]

Originally Posted by frewroad

You don't pay sales tax on car purchases in NC. You will pay a 3% highway use tax when you register it with the NCDOT to get your title. There is/was a $1500 cap. You have to pay this tax if the vehicle is registered in NC regardless of where it's purchased though they will credit you for taxes paid in another state with some conditions.

According to NCDOT: Highway Use & Property Taxes the tax is applied anytime the title changes hands. The cap you mentioned only seems to apply to "recreational vehicles" whatever that means.

Chapter 105 - Article 105

[frewroad]

I couldn't remember for sure, but I believe this was one of the tax the rich schemes put in by Beverly Perdue when the Democrats still controlled the NC GA. They took off the cap. Of course it only applies if you buy a vehicle that costs more than $50K.

[paulosfm]

I would buy in NC and save the hassle because the exercise is a wash and besides, I'd rather buy a car in NC and be closer to my dealer if I have a problem.