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I will be visiting my cousins in Florence over the summer, and since I am in the market for a used car, I am toying with the idea of flying down and purchasing a vehicle in SC, then driving back to VT. Used cars up this way have numerous issues with rust from road salt, so I was thinking I would find older cars in SC that would not have that problem.
Since when I register the car here in VT, I will have to pay sales tax, my question is if I get a car from a dealer in SC and a temporary tag, will the dealer charge sales tax as part of the purchase, or does that only come when you actually register the car?
I will be visiting my cousins in Florence over the summer, and since I am in the market for a used car, I am toying with the idea of flying down and purchasing a vehicle in SC, then driving back to VT. Used cars up this way have numerous issues with rust from road salt, so I was thinking I would find older cars in SC that would not have that problem.
Since when I register the car here in VT, I will have to pay sales tax, my question is if I get a car from a dealer in SC and a temporary tag, will the dealer charge sales tax as part of the purchase, or does that only come when you actually register the car?
Actually, you pay sales tax based on the state that you will be registering it in, so if you buy a vehicle and tell them its being registered in VT, they will electronically register the vehicle and you will pay VT taxes at that time. Just recently bought 2 vehicles in GA, but I reside in SC. Paid SC tax (but nothing to GA) on both at the dealership and my registration showed up in the mail.
Actually, you pay sales tax based on the state that you will be registering it in, so if you buy a vehicle and tell them its being registered in VT, they will electronically register the vehicle and you will pay VT taxes at that time. Just recently bought 2 vehicles in GA, but I reside in SC. Paid SC tax (but nothing to GA) on both at the dealership and my registration showed up in the mail.
Interesting. As a NC resident, I have never paid tax or any additional fees on out of state dealer purchases - just buy the car and drive off. When I register the car in NC, that's where I pay NC sales tax and registration fees. It appears SC has different rules. Thanks for the information.
Actually, you pay sales tax based on the state that you will be registering it in, so if you buy a vehicle and tell them its being registered in VT, they will electronically register the vehicle and you will pay VT taxes at that time. Just recently bought 2 vehicles in GA, but I reside in SC. Paid SC tax (but nothing to GA) on both at the dealership and my registration showed up in the mail.
I don't know about that working with VT. Since GA is next door, I can see them being able to do that, but a state a thousand miles away? Whatever the case, the dealer or local DMV if buying from a private seller will be able to help you.
My late husband bought a car in Chicago when we lived in SC. The dealer gave him a temp plate and he registered it the day after he drove it home. Why anyone would buy a car in the north and drive it south, I never could understand but he wouldn't be swayed. You are making a good decision but you may pay a little more for that car down here.
Thanks for all the replies. I did a little digging on the Vermont DMV website and it appears that if I show that I paid SC sales tax on the car, I will get a credit when I register it in VT for that amount. I would only pay the difference if the SC tax is less than VT (currently 6%). It's definitely worth doing, as I can't afford a newer vehicle and anything 6-8 years old up here is already rusting. Plus I get the added benefit of a scenic drive back up the coast!
Soup Nazi, there is something called in-transit registration. Contact SC DMV and see what it takes to get one. It is something like $5 and allows you to drive it back to Vermont.
Soup Nazi, there is something called in-transit registration. Contact SC DMV and see what it takes to get one. It is something like $5 and allows you to drive it back to Vermont.
Thank you!
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