Another VLT question (Tucson: purchase, DMV, tax)

[Jareb]

I still cant figure out the basis for the VLT tax on a car. I've been to the DMV website and I'm still a little confused. The site indicated that the tax is figured on the manufacturers base retail price of the car. That makes sense on a new car but there is no indication of what the basis is for a used car. If I try to register a 1997 Mercedes that cost $60,000 when new....is that the figure they take 60% of? Or would they use the CURRENT value of the car, which would be around $9K?
Thanks

[Jareb]

Let me ask this another way.......... The "tax" paid at registration on a new car is based on 60% of the manufacturers retail price according to the DMV website.
How is the tax determined on a 10 year old used car? Is it based on the original manufacturers retail price of 10 years ago or the current value of the car or something else?
Sorry for being so dense but I'm not understanding this from the DMV website.

[Ponderosa]

IIRC it's depreciated at 16% per year at the first renewal and all subsequent ones. So if 60% of MSRP was 10,000 at the time it was purchased, then on the first renewal it would be based 8400 and the next on 7100 (approximating in my head). As old as your car is it won't be much. If you know exponents, then use this to find the value for tax in any given year:

(MSRP x .6) x .84 ^^ n, where n is the year after initial purchase you are renewing for.

Assuming car costs 60K, and it's 15 years old the value for tax is:

36000 x .073 = $2633, .073 = .84 ^^ 15

but don't hold me to it.

[Jareb]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

IIRC it's depreciated at 16% per year at the first renewal and all subsequent ones. So if 60% of MSRP was 10,000 at the time it was purchased, then on the first renewal it would be based 8400 and the next on 7100 (approximating in my head). As old as your car is it won't be much. If you know exponents, then use this to find the value for tax in any given year:

(MSRP x .6) x .84 ^^ n, where n is the year after initial purchase you are renewing for.

Assuming car costs 60K, and it's 15 years old the value for tax is:

36000 x .073 = $2633, .073 = .84 ^^ 15

but don't hold me to it.

Thanks Ponderosa...it is a little clearer but I must be extra dumb this week.
Maybe a specific example will help me:
I'm moving from Florida to Tucson this year. I'll be bringing my 1997 MB with me> It cost $60K when new but currently is worth $9K. When I register the car in Arizona....will the tax formula be figured on the $60K when the car was new 15 years ago or on the $9K it is worth now?
Old age and alzheimers setting in....

[Chuck-ELP]

I'm also trying to figure out the license tax/fees on a used car. Why is it so hard? Why can't I find anything on the AZ MVD website? Can anybody point me towards specific information? Thanks for your help.

[Steve Pickering]

I would say, call DMV and ask or go if you are in state.

[Rick Lee]

They'll tell you on the phone if you give them the car's info. Sort of silly that they don't have an online calulator for it.