Avoiding the car tax... (Richmond, Alexandria: condo, schools, incomes)

[hilsmom]

when did you move here? And did you do any research on taxation ahead of time?

Fine, you have an ethical problem with it. Complain if you like - that is your right. But there are not a lot of ways out of it.

I still have a hard time believing your taxes are going to be that high. My boss has a $60K car and I'm pretty sure she told me her car tax is below $1K.

[guilliam]

PhD...I must make one last comment on your sales tax points:

"...and I of course was referring to 8% being 3% higher than 5% "

NO. 8% is 60% higher than 5%, not 3% higher! I know what you mean, but that's not what you said, either time

[ICS67]

Originally Posted by jayh

You all are thinking a little bit too literally. I'm using the term "politicans" in the general sense...I'm smart enough to understand the difference between federal, state, and local governments, thanks (have worked in at the state and federal levels in previous lives). The broader point still remains--polticians (in general) often design and enact policy that disadvantages the masses while affording a select few (themselves) the opportunity to 'opt-out'. The VA personal property tax is an example of where they have selectively carved out SOME of their own (again, advantaging themselves) while leaving the burden on the rest of us. Tell me, why should diplomats not pay the tax? And why should our esteemed Members of Congress not have to pay? There is no good reasan.

Because of the agreements on diplomatic reciprocity that the United States has in each country where there's a U.S. embassy. American diplomats overseas are exempt from those nations' taxes, and the same holds true for foreign diplomats stationed here. If Brazil were to start taxing the cars of U.S. diplomats stationed in Brasilia, trust me, the U.S. Government would do likewise to Brazilian diplomats in Washington. The State Department in fact has an entire office that keeps track of such issues of reciprocity.

This whole question of diplomatic status transcends and trumps local and state taxes, as does the issue of diplomatic immunity (unless you were an American diplomat unfortunate enough to be stationed in Iran in November 1979).

[jayh]

Originally Posted by ICS67

Because of the agreements on diplomatic reciprocity that the United States has in each country where there's a U.S. embassy. American diplomats overseas are exempt from those nations' taxes, and the same holds true for foreign diplomats stationed here. If Brazil were to start taxing the cars of U.S. diplomats stationed in Brasilia, trust me, the U.S. Government would do likewise to Brazilian diplomats in Washington. The State Department in fact has an entire office that keeps track of such issues of reciprocity.

This whole question of diplomatic status transcends and trumps local and state taxes, as does the issue of diplomatic immunity (unless you were an American diplomat unfortunate enough to be stationed in Iran in November 1979).

Thanks for the explanation...that's very reasonable.

Now, any similarly good explanation why Members of Congress and their Spouses are exempt from this tax that all us average people pay?

[hilsmom]

Originally Posted by jayh

Thanks for the explanation...that's very reasonable.

Now, any similarly good explanation why Members of Congress and their Spouses are exempt from this tax that all us average people pay?

I'm assuming by the same logic that they are not technically "living" in VA. Their main residence is supposed to be their home state. That is a BIG stretch, though, for most of them.

[spleuchan]

Originally Posted by PhDLoser

And no, it is not 'if you can afford these types of cars you can afford $2500'...that figure is way more than I would even pay in maintenance fees per year for both cars, which I've budgeted for. An additional $2500 just to own the cars every year breaks my budget, therefore unfairly curbing my free right to purchase and own the vehicle. That is state interference, and I am a lifelong democrat, btw.

I am still deciding what to do though my florida insurance agent said title and insuring the car there would be fine for a claim, no problem. I just have to avoid the ridiculous treasurer swat teams that apparently canvas NoVa. How very silly.

The biggest democrat in our office is always for raising taxes, but he himself tries to weasle out of every tax on the book. So your political affiliation doesn't surprise me.

[beth98]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

I'm assuming by the same logic that they are not technically "living" in VA. Their main residence is supposed to be their home state. That is a BIG stretch, though, for most of them.

It's not really a stretch. While many members of congress spend the majority of their time here and some even send their kids to school in the area ALL of them maintain residency in their home state and (presumably) pay taxes there. If they didn't legally live in their home state they would be ineligible to be re-elected as a representative of that state. Plenty of congressman actually have homes in their states and live in tiny apartments here. There are even a few stories of Reps. that sleep on the couches in their offices.

[CAVA1990]

This thread has wandered way off-topic. Who cares about members of Congress? I doubt any of this applies to anyone on here.

[hilsmom]

Originally Posted by beth98

It's not really a stretch. While many members of congress spend the majority of their time here and some even send their kids to school in the area ALL of them maintain residency in their home state and (presumably) pay taxes there. If they didn't legally live in their home state they would be ineligible to be re-elected as a representative of that state. Plenty of congressman actually have homes in their states and live in tiny apartments here. There are even a few stories of Reps. that sleep on the couches in their offices.

and there are those that own million dollar homes in VA and DC and basically live in them save the apartment or vacation home in their home state. It depends on the state what the residency requirements are to be elected to the US Congress.

Yes, I agree we are now pretty off topic.

[saganista]

Originally Posted by pcity

What are you talking about? Car tax is a state tax, which means all state residents who own cars pay it. Anyone who holds state office is a state resident and would not be exempt from the tax.

The car tax is NOT a state tax. It is a County and/or City/Town tax. In other words, there are many dozens of different laws that define it, depending on where in Virginia you live.