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You must title the car in WV in order to get a tag. New Residents
It will also be a hassle getting a WV driver's license because of the Homeland Security requirements for various identification. Scroll down to the Out of state license transfers. Driver's Licenses
[quote=snorpus;29356513]I don't think you can switch your tags on your car without switching the title also. And when you do, you have to pay the personal property tax (based on the vehicle's current value). Then, if you move back to Maryland (or to some other state), you'll have to switch it again. Even though it means having the MD emissions test, you're probably better off leaving it registered and titled in Maryland.
No longer true. Accordingto Vehicle License Information
"New Residents must have their vehicles titled and registered within thirty (30) days of establishing residency.
The fees include a $10 title fee, a $5 lien fee if applicable, and a regular registration fee of $30. The 5% sales tax on a vehicles' value has been eliminated for new residents moving into West Virginia with a vehicle already titled in their name in another state."
There is more info at the site that you need to read for yourself.
WV car registration is $30/yr. The title transfer and sales tax will only have to be paid once when you move into the state.
MD car registration is either $128 or $180 every two years, depending on if it is over or under 3700 pounds.
WV does have the personal property tax which is assessed by the county on the vehicle's blue book value, but the rate is low. I pay about $150/yr on five old(ish) cars, two motorcycles, and three horse/utility trailers.
WV has no smog test but there is an annual safety inspection.
As a graduate "student", you may have the choice of whether you are considered a resident of WV for the purpose of vehicle title. I would ask that question if you are interested in keeping your MD tags. Since the sales tax has been eliminated, your total expenses may be less in WV so you will just have to do the math for your circumstance.
Sales tax was eliminated on a vehicle brought. But there is still annual personal property tax on it, some % of the book value. These are two different taxes.
You file this form (or current version of it) for Kanawha County: http://www.kanawha.us/assessor/docum...perty_Form.pdf IF the book value of your vehicle is high, particularly if the vehicle is expensive + only a year or two old, then the personal property tax is also going to be high. Like, my ex bought a new Chevy truck stickered $32,000 in 2002 and then the first year of personal property tax on it was $500 or $550 or something like that. The older the vehicle(s), the lower the tax. It's tied to some book value that the state uses, and not necessarily the KBB or Edmunds, etc.
Yes that will be a decision I have to make regarding my car. I wonder since not all states have a personal property tax, if that can be deducted from my federal tax return.
I was very shocked to learn of the personal property tax in WV. I've always thought WV was very low tax and business friendly compared to Maryland, well it still is but there is still some room for improvement. I'm glad they are discussing removing the tolls on the WV Turnpike and I hope the personal property tax is reduced or eliminated in the future. If I change my residency and register to vote in WV no dobut I will be voting for those who support lower taxes and a more pro-business environment that will benefit the economy.
Personal property taxes are deductible on your Federal Income Tax if you itemize.
Those taxes are paid a year behind and I don't believe you have to pay any to obtain your original title or tags. Sometimes you have to get a statement from the assessor's office stating you were not due to pay taxes due to not owning the property at the time of the assessment because of this situation.
A visit to the DMV in Kanawha City after your arrival could get all your questions answered at one location then you could come back and zip right through the process.
I was very shocked to learn of the personal property tax in WV. I've always thought WV was very low tax and business friendly compared to Maryland, well it still is but there is still some room for improvement.
It is, it's just that you have to add up all of the taxes every year. Keeping my small biz registered/active in WV is about $100 per year which includes all filing fees and state taxes, while in MD the filing fee alone is $300.00 per year.
At least with the personal property tax you have control over how much or little you pay each year through your choice of daily driver(s).
Elkins even makes you register your cats... supposedly its 5 per cat. ??? Not sure of a limit...
As if I registered mine.. bahahahhah
They never go outside anyway.
$5.00 for a 10¢ cat? That is crazy!!
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