What taxes do you pay on cars in NC? (sales, how much)

[mmemk]

Do you pay tax:

- When you move to NC?
- When you buy a car?
- On an annual basis?

And are these proportionate to the value of your car?

Thanks!

[waterbabies]

This link was very helpful when we moved here:
NCDOT: Home

[saturnfan]

Yearly property tax on value. You can appeal if high mileage or heavy damage.

[tassy]

Originally Posted by saturnfan

Yearly property tax on value. You can appeal if high mileage or heavy damage.

I called the Johnston Co. tax office after I heard about the high mileage deal.. and the formula they use still didn't qualify me. I "think" it was like 18,000 or 20,000/year and then add another 10,000 to that figure. And if you had more miles than that you would get an abatement on the tax figure. You do have to call within 30 days of getting your property tax bill though.

[raccemup]

You will pay property tax yearly based on the value of the car. When I first moved here I had a brand new Honda Civic valued at around 17K (I think). At that time our yearly bill was about $150 per year. After five years, it dropped to about $120 per year. Our last bill for my husbands camry that we bought used for 10K was also about $120. That's just to give you an idea of how much they charge, it really isn't bad.

EDIT: OK I was wrong about the sales tax at time of purchase. You don't pay sales tax, you pay a "highway use tax" of 3% in lieu of sales tax.

[mm34b]

No sales tax on motor vehicles in NC. Instead, a one-time Highway Use Tax (Hut) paid to the state. Newcomers will pay a maximum HUT of $150 when bringing a vehicle into the state for the first time.

Motor Vehicle Property Tax - An annual locally-based tax. The rate varies depending on locale within the state. Some high, some low.

[saturnfan]

We have two 2003 Corollas. Taxes around $120 on each car this year.

[raccemup]

I have a question about that that Highway Use Tax if anyone knows...

If you buy a car through a private party, do you pay that:

1) When you register the car at the DMV
2) To the seller who then has to report/remit it
3) Not pay it at time of sale and claim it as a Use tax on your personal tax return

Thanks!

[saturnfan]

When you register it.

[memurray]

I am 61 years old, have a valid VA license and moving to NC. Do I have to take a test to get a NC drivers license?