Sales/use tax when buying a car (Portland: home, income)

[madmermaid]

Hi all!

I have a complicated situation and I'm hoping someone out there might have some info.

I'm currently in California (Santa Monica) for another week. After that, I will be in Portland for three months, after which I will continue moving for work every few months.

My car was totaled last week. Since Oregon does not have sales tax, I was originally considering waiting until I got up there to buy a car. However, I heard I may have to pay a use tax to another state.

The complicated part is that I travel every 3 months or so for work, so I don't really have a fixed home state. I am officially a resident of Ohio, although I haven't lived there since June 2011 and don't plan to go back.

So... as an Ohio resident who is in CA now, moving to OR for 3 months, and then hopping states every few months, what do you think the cheapest option would be? Would it make sense to apply for residency in Oregon, or another state? I will possibly be going along the east coast for the rest of the year (Massachusetts, DC or Maryland, Georgia) or the south (Arizona, Texas, Florida).

Any ideas? Thanks!

[k.stvns]

I am inclined to say to that where you decide to have the vehicle registered will be a significant factor. However, if you are officially a resident of Ohio and you have no permanent domicile, I would base everything on my Ohio residency. Start with OH and go from there.

Also, have you thought about the emission standards any vehicle you purchase must meet in CA?

[Random_Walk]

Agreed on the registration - that's going to be your taxation point if you buy the vehicle from any other state than the one you register it in.

[Nell Plotts]

New vehicles purchased in Oregon meet CA emissions standards.

I suggest you establish OR residency now, why pay sales tax on the car for 3 months residency?

If your work takes out out of state for extended periods you can file a tax return as a part-year resident. However that will only be to your advantage if you spend a lot of time in WA because you may be required to pay income tax to the other states. The more I think about it keep your life simple, establish a home address in OR and buy a car using that address. Deal with the rest later.