URGENT !! LA taxing me even though boat NOT in LA

[arch007]

I moved to Los Angeles but my boat was kept in Northern California.

Los Angeles is insisting on taxing me on my boat. CAN THEY DO THIS ?

What has the burden of proof ?

So they need to show the boat is in Los Angeles

OR

Do I need to show the baot was kept eleswhere for the years in question.

Surely Los Angeles needs to have some proof the boat is in LA else they can just tax anyone on their boat and ask you to prove it is in in LA.

arch

[JPA Cate]

Yes, they do it. UNTIL the boat is registered in another State, and you show them the receipt for the paid registration in it. Even with that, it is a bit of a hassle.

There is no recourse whatsoever.

Our boat is registered in IL, where our mailing address is, now, and we did it while we were getting ready to take the boat out of Calif. the first time.

There are many other threads on the subject. I really don't know why. All you have to do is phone the county tax office, and they'll tell you all the hoops you have to jump through. What you want to avoid is their chaining your boat to the marina pending payment of the tax lien.

Ann

[bletso]

I guess I am lucky here in KY. They tax the assets in the county they are in. My boat is in one county and I live in another. Half the tax rate.

[dwedeking2]

In CA tax entities will tax you on the slightest connection until you can prove otherwise. Had it happen to me and heard similar stories.

Www.uhaul.com the weather isn't worth it.

[pcmm]

Your city is taxing your boat? based on what? Are they trying to collect sales tax that wasn't paid on the purchase?

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by arch007

I moved to Los Angeles but my boat was kept in Northern California.

Los Angeles is insisting on taxing me on my boat. CAN THEY DO THIS ?

What has the burden of proof ?

So they need to show the boat is in Los Angeles

OR

Do I need to show the baot was kept eleswhere for the years in question.

Surely Los Angeles needs to have some proof the boat is in LA else they can just tax anyone on their boat and ask you to prove it is in in LA.

arch

In California, personal property tax is assessed by the County where the property is located. Note, however, if you renewed your State Vessel registration showing your new home address in LA County, the LA tax assessor assumes the boat is situated in LA County. Unfortunately, getting that straightened out can be really difficult and will likely be compounded by the County Tax Assessor where the boat is actually situated sending you a tax bill as well. They do so by having "Tax Inspectors" walk the docks in marinas and recording CF numbers and then billing owners regardless of where they are living.

California is a veracious tax venue. We continued getting property tax bills and threatening letters from the LA County Tax Assessor on our boat for 3 years after we relocated to south Florida, despite having sent copies of our Florida registration; and, copies of our marina invoices together with photos of the yacht moored in front of our Club here, none of which made any difference to LA. One character actually warned me that if they didn't get "their money", I would be subject to arrest if I ever returned to California! (So, we moved the Company here and had done with the place entirely!)

In short--Good Luck!

[Hearts Content]

Left California in the 80's due to tax, crime and high expense. Found Florida to be MUCH nicer on all fronts.

As suggested. Vote with your wallet and move.

[pcmm]

Ouch! does that mean a boat is considered "property" like a house? That's....just nuts! Do you pay property tax on cars and RV's too?

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by pcmm

Ouch! does that mean a boat is considered "property" like a house? That's....just nuts! Do you pay property tax on cars and RV's too?

Yes. "Personal Property" tax via the registration fees. My last annual auto registration fee in SoCal was over $400. My registration in SoFla the following year was $35.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

Yes. "Personal Property" tax via the registration fees. My last annual auto registration fee in SoCal was over $400. My registration in SoFla the following year was $35.

Hmm, Glad I'm in Canada ( don't mean to hijack this, just interested!) I pay annually for a sticker for the license plate on my car $104 CAD but nothing at all on my boat. only the sales tax from the purchase, that's it!

[arch007]

The big problem is LA insist on taxing me annual property tax when the boat is not even in LA and they have no proof it was ever in LA.

When can a county jusr decide on no evidence to tax you.

[dwedeking2]

Originally Posted by arch007

When can a county jusr decide on no evidence to tax you.

When it's in California. State government does the same thing. You are guilty until you can prove your innocent in regards to taxation there.

[goat]

I'm in LA limbo land right now too. Did all the paper work; DMV, LA county tax assessor, customs and border protection etc. Made sure I was out of the US long before the end of the year. Thought it was all covered. They sent a letter asking for proof of long term storage somewhere else. I sent them photos of marina slips in San Diego, Ensenada, Los Cabos, and la Paz. Still waiting on results. California trying to tax a Canadian registered boat in Mexico. Seems odd.

[montenido]

ARCH007,

I had the same problem on my last boat. Organize you r rpoof, bills, slip fees, etc., and send them in. The folks on the phone are usually reasonable, and can tell you what to do. I had to do it 3 years in a row, when my boat was in MX the whole time. Even when the4y beilive you this year, they will hit you up again next year. It is a game they play that equals money for the state.

Be organized and keep copies of everything that you send them. You will get through this.

Cheers, Bill

[Kaptain Ken]

This why you should register (Document) your boat with the U.S. Coast Guard. Never, ever, register it with any State.