Would it be worth buying a new car in Oregon and driving it back to Arizona to save any taxes? (Salem: sales, house)

[DevilMama2]

I live in Arizona and anticipate purchasing a new vehicle within a couple of years; I also visit Oregon periodically.


Would I save any money by legally buying a new vehicle in Oregon? My plan would then be to drive it back to Arizona.


Thank you.

[texasdiver]

First of all, you would need a legal residence in OR in which to register the vehicle. Otherwise you'll just have to drive it to AZ with temporary registration and they will not be fooled.

Second, like most states, AZ will charge net sales tax on any vehicle you bring in from out of state. So you pay full AZ sales tax when you register the vehicle in AZ minus any sales tax you already paid in the previous state and you will have to present the documentation.

So basically you'll waste a lot of time and gas and wind up paying the sales tax anyway.

[gearedtowardssalad]

Originally Posted by DevilMama2

I live in Arizona and anticipate purchasing a new vehicle within a couple of years; I also visit Oregon periodically.


Would I save any money by legally buying a new vehicle in Oregon? My plan would then be to drive it back to Arizona.


Thank you.

Unless you plan on registering it in Oregon, you’re going to pay the difference on the taxes when you register in Arizona.

[gearedtowardssalad]

ah, split-second Washingtonians to the rescue.

[Johnny Z]

I'm not sure the savings, if any are worth the trouble. Cost of fuel alone may override savings.

[Jimrob1]

There is no way around it. You buy a vehicle in Oregon and register in Arizona. Arizona gets you for the sales tax when you register the vehicle. Believe me there is no way around it.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by gearedtowardssalad

ah, split-second Washingtonians to the rescue.

Yes, I’m sure many a naive Washingtonian has tried this and learned the hard way.

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by gearedtowardssalad

ah, split-second Washingtonians to the rescue.

I actually did this and got away with it in TX.

We were moving from Alaska to Texas. Didn't want to bring my rusted-out Juneau car along for the trip so bought a new car in OR and registered at my parents house in Salem as we had no other address to use.

When we got to Texas I was busy with other things and took be about 6 months to get around to changing the plates. I was never charged any sales tax in TX, just the normal registration fees. I think that TX is so far away from any other state that thas no sales tax that they just don't bother to keep track of it. How many people are going to buy cars in OR, NH, or DE and drive it all the way to TX?

AZ is quite a bit closer and there so so many snowbirds going back and forth between OR and AZ that they are wise to the issue.

[Larry Caldwell]

Texas may be looser about it since we all pay taxes to Texas anyway. They tax every barrel of crude that goes through the state, so it shows up in every tank of gas and airline ticket.

[cornsnicker3]

There is no way to avoid the taxes. Pay your dues and move on.