Advantges of Vancouver over Portland (Beaverton, Wilsonville: sales, vehicle registration, how much)

[lndshk]

What are the advantages of buying a house in Vancouver, WA over Portland, Oregon?

[Nell Plotts]

If you work in WA buy a home in WA. If you work in OR you will pay OR income tax even if you live in WA and you will deal with an awful commute.

If you work out of your home or have a consulting business you will be taxed on your gross in WA but on your profits in OR. This takes a little research because it depends on the nature of your business so do check WA Business & Occupations Tax. There is a reason why employers in the metro area are concentrated in OR. For that reason, and because of OR urban growth boundaries, I am of the opinion that the value of homes in the metro area will increase faster in OR than in Vancouver, WA.

Retired? The decision depends on your choice of lifestyle.

[lndshk]

I don't work, I am retired, would taxes be less in Vancouver?

[Nell Plotts]

WA has no income tax but they have substantial fees. Govt must tap their resident's pockets to pay for services one way or another. I am retired and lived in Seattle Metro for many years. When considering our move to Portland Metro we evaluated services that we would use late in life. I found the conveniences offered in Portland to be worth our modest state income tax.

The easiest way to determine how much OR income tax you would pay complete a mock Fed return then do a mock OR return (SS is not included as income for most). Then do a mock Fed return as if you lived in WA (remember that sales tax is only marginally deductible on a Fed return).

In your evaluation be sure to include WA auto registration fees, when you bring a car into that state they assess a tax.

[AndyAMG]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

WA has no income tax but they have substantial fees. Govt must tap their resident's pockets to pay for services one way or another. I am retired and lived in Seattle Metro for many years. When considering our move to Portland Metro we evaluated services that we would use late in life. I found the conveniences offered in Portland to be worth our modest state income tax.

The easiest way to determine how much OR income tax you would pay complete a mock Fed return then do a mock OR return (SS is not included as income for most). Then do a mock Fed return as if you lived in WA (remember that sales tax is only marginally deductible on a Fed return).

In your evaluation be sure to include WA auto registration fees, when you bring a car into that state they assess a tax.

Oregon and Washington are equally expensive for auto registration. WA hasn't had excise tax for many moons.

[Nell Plotts]

Always verify mindful of the length of vehicle registrations. FWIW WA assess a form of sales tax when first registering a vehicle. Their 'valuations' are ridiculous (at least they were when we moved to WA with well used cars).

[patrick_m]

Can anyone recommend a tax advisor in the Beaverton to Wilsonville area? I'll be in town this coming week arranging relocation from Asia and my tax situation is too complicated for me to determine on my own. It's an important factor as to where we relocate though. Thank you.

[Nell Plotts]

International taxes are a special field, you don't want to choose a preparer based on suburb. IMHO you should use a large national firm such as H & R Block or seek out one of the firms that handles Ex Pat returns for firms such as NIKE. I am getting together socially with an HR Manager for a firm that I expect has Ex pats in two weeks and am willing to ask her who handles their ex pat taxes. I can give you the name of a H & R Block Registered Agent (a person licensed to prepare tax returns) who works in their down town office if you send me a personal message.

We are in the middle of the 'tax season' which will end April 15. It may be difficult to get a lot of attention from tax preparers who are working returns in their queue until After 15 but no harm in trying.

[Leisesturm]

Why is this a Portland thread? Why should we be expected to know how Vancouver is superior (if it is in fact the case) to Portland in these areas?

[Nell Plotts]

Patrick_m had a thread earlier asking about a school in Sherwood, as I recall. How his question ended up in this thread is beyond me.