Vancouver move - Tricky Questions (for sale, to rent, vehicle registration)
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OK so I am planning a move to the Greater Portland area but here is my dilemma. I actually would like to be a WA resident for obvious reasons...i.e no state taxes but would physically like to live in Portland downtown. I am kind of semi retired and my income stream is mainly from investments and dividend distributions.
So how do I go about doing this? My plan is to rent an apt in Vancouver, WA for residency and keep it for namesake and then rent one in Portland downtown where I can live. Will this conceivably work? My primary addy will be my WA one and all my cars and other things will be registered in WA state but physically I'd live in OR. Anyone see any achilles heel in this plan? Anyone can think of a better option?
The tax savings will more than offset renting an apt in Vancouver for WA residency in my case(say at $10k a year) and ofcourse I get to save on sales taxes in OR.
I would say the Oregon Dept of Revenue probably knows how to use google... you're toast by posting on C-D. Any credit card usage would reveal you're whereabouts.
I certainly wouldn't be using any mobile devices or have a modern car with an 'on-board' transponder
a move to WA resident for obvious reasons...i.e no state taxes but would physically like to live in Portland downtown.
I like your opinions on this. Thanks
We may not have an income tax, but we have sales and property taxes (lower than OR property taxes). Even if you live in WA and work in OR, you still have to pay OR taxes.
Aside from the horrid rush hour traffic, Vancouver is only about 7 minutes away from Portland. You might as well just live in Vancouver, take the Max to Portland-- or just drive during non-rush hour.
I would say the Oregon Dept of Revenue probably knows how to use google... you're toast by posting on C-D. Any credit card usage would reveal you're whereabouts.
I certainly wouldn't be using any mobile devices or have a modern car with an 'on-board' transponder
Gee, thanks. I'll make sure Oregon Dept of Revenue does not bug my car or send Jamesbond after me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inkpoe
We may not have an income tax, but we have sales and property taxes (lower than OR property taxes). Even if you live in WA and work in OR, you still have to pay OR taxes.
Aside from the horrid rush hour traffic, Vancouver is only about 7 minutes away from Portland. You might as well just live in Vancouver, take the Max to Portland-- or just drive during non-rush hour.
I am aware Vancouver is right across the Columbia river and less than 10 mi from downtown Portland. I am very familiar with the area. Also aware of sales and property taxes in WA. I am not planning on buying property in either state for quite a while (I personally think both places are overinflated when it comes to home prices).
Just that I'd prefer living in Portland downtown and maybe have a second apt in Vancouver as a primary residence.
Ideas? Seems you have it figured out. I would just rent a room in a home in Vancouver (or do 'shared equity' when it is time to buy). Many seniors rent rooms and would be happy for a little spare change (put and ad in the 'Senior Messenger', Seniors are real fun to learn from and help). You have 2 places due to work / school. Take some classes in OR community college or community ed. Stay in PDX if necessary, when you need some sleep, come to Vancouver). I would register most stuff to WA addy, especially finances and pay at least one utility bill in WA. I would suggest you also keep your car, or at least a junker registered in WA. I would buy much of my stuff in WA, especially groceries (which are not taxed). I would have 2 cell phones with call forwarding and have a 'throw away' for using while in PDX.
Stay when / where you want in OR. I would use a different registration name for any utilities or rents in OR.
Just be wise with stuff that is often 'traced' (legal docs / registrations of cars / taxes...). Be advised that the WSP has been known to offer 'incentives' for WA folks to 'snich' on 'Boarder Crossers' (Usually fleeing WSDOT vehicle fees and sales tax.) If a WA resident just drive a beater, or pay the Dept of Licensing. I started using beaters 30 yrs ago due to the then absurdly high WA fees. I don't mind getting 50 mpg in my car that I bought at a Portland 'Abandoned vehicle Auction' for $35 (Hint:, do NOT park illegally in Portland, or I may be buying YOURS!!) My visitors had a car towed just last week because they parked at a 'closed' store in Portland for 30 min at 1AM. Several hours and hundreds of $$ later...
I know WA couples where one party keeps an OR addy and the other a WA for mutual benefits. Many WA resident register businesses in OR to get some benefit (Not after last night !!! measures 66 & 67 passing RIP!!!. I presume there will soon be A LOT more jobs in Vancouver ) You will be sad that you cannot vote on OR's very polarized elections; but, you can register your cat and gain the voting benefit !!
Try to stay legal, carefully study the 'domicile' laws of each state (OR for income tax regs) and make an earnest effort to comply... You may get home (WA) at 6AM every night ... I lived in Barcelona, that's a normal schedule
Don't mention this to ANYONE, especially in OR !!! They are very protective of their state and their revenue stream.
Stealthrabbit, thanks for the input. Well I am planning on renting a studio or 1 bdrm apt in Vancouver as my primary residence and keep it and rent one in downtown Portland to live. That way, I have my roots in WA state for residency purposes. Obviously all my cars and other things will be associated with my Washington addy and my Portland address will be my secondary residence.
How can they trace anything if I am resident in WA and have everything to prove my residency? I'll have all my bases covered and all my cars and bank accts etc will be associated with WA not my OR address.
I don't plan on seeking work or claim any state benefits and like I mentioned before, I am semi retired and I have my income derived from dividend distributions. If I do end up working in OR, I may have a problem as the income earned in that state is taxable regardless of WA residency and that will probably put me on the hook for my other income as well.
Obviously I am not going to go around town with a megaphone announcing how I am a resident of WA and live in OR and avoid paying state income taxes in OR LOL
Just be wise with stuff that is often 'traced' (legal docs / registrations of cars / taxes...). Be advised that the WSP has been known to offer 'incentives' for WA folks to 'snich' on 'Boarder Crossers' (Usually fleeing WSDOT vehicle fees and sales tax.) If a WA resident just drive a beater, or pay the Dept of Licensing. I started using beaters 30 yrs ago due to the then absurdly high WA fees. I don't mind getting 50 mpg in my car that I bought at a Portland 'Abandoned vehicle Auction' for $35 (Hint:, do NOT park illegally in Portland, or I may be buying YOURS!!) My visitors had a car towed just last week because they parked at a 'closed' store in Portland for 30 min at 1AM. Several hours and hundreds of $$ later...
I know one dude who had family up in Alaska, had his car registered w/ Alaskan license plate so that he wouldn't have to pay WA car tabs (this was before Eyman, btw). He got busted by the WSP who just randomly pulled him over. WSP are bunch of hard-asses. They even ticket cops (off-duty and on-duty) which just blows my mind.
Vancouver has a HUUUUGE force of WSP for the size of the town. My husband was saying that WSP in Vancouver are BORED, so they play games all the time on the citizen. He even talked about his friend who was pull over by WSP who was using an OR beater. Apparently a citizen ended up taking WSP to court about that?
As far as I know, WA registration fees for a car is nothing compared to some other states, where they charge you 1.5%-2% of your vehicle residual value as road tax. WA and OR have some of the lowest registration fee/road taxes.
As for sales taxes, if you move from another state to WA and if you have had your vehicle for more than 3 months before you move, you are not required to pay sales/use tax in WA. Buying a brand new car after the move might be another issue and I don't see why I can't pay the WA sales tax if I buy a new vehicle and I think it is fair and reasonable. Afterall one cannot mooch off of WA state without paying taxes of any kind and continue to live there.
State income taxes(or lack thereof) are a huge plus in WA but I am sure WA has ways to recover taxes in other ways such as property tax, use tax etc.
As far as I know, WA registration fees for a car is nothing compared to some other states, where they charge you 1.5%-2% of your vehicle residual value as road tax. WA and OR have some of the lowest registration fee/road taxes.
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State income taxes(or lack thereof) are a huge plus in WA but I am sure WA has ways to recover taxes in other ways such as property tax, use tax etc.
Thank goodness for Tim Eyman, I had WA co-workers paying over $1000 in annual vehicle registration in the '90's. AND they will require you to pay sales tax on vehicles, boats, motorcycles, RVs, trailers totaling more than 2 vehicles that you bring into the state EVEN if you paid sales tax in previous state... BTDT WA has a very strong Auto lobby, thus you get a 'credit' for trade-in value, but not if you sell privately (even tho purchaser pays full sales tax (again)...)
WA does OK by me, I pay $33/day in property taxes for the privilege of living there (no income for last 5 yrs, so that benefit is non-existant for me) I pay dearly for B&O, (taxed on GROSS, not NET) Use, Personal Property tax, as does any business owner. The Left coast is for employees, renters, and politicians. Not for jobs created... but ripe for 'Jobs SAVED' Oh thank you highest job savior.
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(Hint:, do NOT park illegally in Portland, or I may be buying YOURS!!) My visitors had a car towed just last week because they parked at a 'closed' store in Portland for 30 min at 1AM. Several hours and hundreds of $$ later...
... I lived in Barcelona, that's a normal schedule 
Oh thank you highest job savior. 
