Avoiding use tax on pickup truck brought to WA as a new resident? (sales, 2015)

[ljdata]

I bought a pickup truck new years ago as an out of state resident and paid sales tax on it. I have truck non-commercial 16k GVWR registration on it, and it is titled in my name. I use it for my personal transportation.

The DMV is saying I must pay "use" tax since it is a pickup truck.

Is there any way of avoiding this?

[CrazyDonkey]

There was a thread on exactly this same subject some months ago. You might see if you can find it with some searches.

As I recall, you're on the hook for the use-tax and, once you've paid it, need to apply to the state where you bought the truck for a partial-refund of the sales tax you paid. See the earlier thread on this to avoid running over the same ground all over again.

[ljdata]

The catcher is I've owned it for multiple years already and therefore paid it years back. They won't refund.

[crf450ish]

Originally Posted by ljdata

The catcher is I've owned it for multiple years already and therefore paid it years back. They won't refund.

just register it under an address in a rural town like eatonville wa, or or somewhere where emissions aren't required. I've been doing it for years, this states taxes and goofy emissions laws can suck it. Circumventing the laws is pretty easy if you're creative enough. Same thing for auto insurance, if you live in King county, I would tell your insurance you live somewhere out in the boonies in eastern wa, just make sure your enrolled in paperless billing and auto pay...my premiums went down by $600 a year just by "moving" to eastern, wa...

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by crf450ish

just register it under an address in a rural town like eatonville wa, or or somewhere where emissions aren't required. I've been doing it for years, this states taxes and goofy emissions laws can suck it. Circumventing the laws is pretty easy if you're creative enough. Same thing for auto insurance, if you live in King county, I would tell your insurance you live somewhere out in the boonies in eastern wa, just make sure your enrolled in paperless billing and auto pay...my premiums went down by $600 a year just by "moving" to eastern, wa...

Sure, and when you get pulled over the state patrol or local cop will see that the registration doesn't match the address on your license, and you have another fine in addition to what he pulled you over for.
It's a class B felony. RCW 46.12.750

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by ljdata

The catcher is I've owned it for multiple years already and therefore paid it years back. They won't refund.

Ah, I misread it as your buying it "new years"...

Okay, if "you purchased a 'private motor vehicle' in another state more than 90 days before moving here, you do not owe Washington's use tax":

Vehicles brought into Washington from out-ofstate
RCW 82.12.0251: Exemptions

Note, however:

"Private motor vehicle" shall be construed to mean and include all motor vehicles used for the convenience or pleasure of the owner and carrying a licensing classification other than motor vehicle for hire, auto stage, auto stage trailer, motor truck, motor truck trailer or dealers' licenses.

RCW 84.36.120: Household goods and personal effects

In other words, if your truck was licensed as something other than a "private motor vehicle", then you owe the use tax.

[tigger865]

I brought a new car (2015) from out of state (NV) and all I had to do is prove I paid taxes in NV (via dealer sales slip) and I was good to go. $150 and I had WA tabs...

[CrazyDonkey]

In Washington state:

"Motor truck" means any motor vehicle designed or used for the transportation of commodities, merchandise, produce, freight, or animals.

RCW 46.04.310: Motor truck.

If a smaller pick-up, you could argue that it is designed for the transportation of personal possessions, rather than "commodities". If a larger pick-up, however, the presumption is likely that it was designed for the transportation of more than personal items.

[mrman78]

As long as you bought it more than 90 days ago, you are fine and don't have to pay the use tax.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by mrman78

As long as you bought it more than 90 days ago, you are fine and don't have to pay the use tax.

Only if construed to be a "private motor vehicle," which does not include a "motor truck" designed to carry "commodities", etc. Maybe a different clerk or a supervisor will have a different interpretation, but that seems to be the one they're running with for now.

On the other hand, he may have simply checked the wrong box.