Pros and Cons for BVI Registration vs Canadian

[Mystic38]

The laws on using boats in US states is quite clear and easily found on the web, so the fact that nobody has addressed you personally does indicate that you are not liable for sales & use tax..

Here is the bit for FL...

When is Tax Due?
Unless exempt, a boat must be titled or registered in Florida with any county tax collector, licensed
private tag agency, or the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
 Within 30 days of the purchase date or the date the boat entered Florida; or
 Within 90 days after the boat enters Florida, when the boat is documented, licensed,
titled, or registered in another state.

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Had my Canadian Registered vessel in Florida several times, no one asked to see proof of tax payment.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Mystic38

The laws on using boats in US states is quite clear and easily found on the web, so the fact that nobody has addressed you personally does indicate that you are not liable for sales & use tax..

Here is the bit for FL...

When is Tax Due?
Unless exempt, a boat must be titled or registered in Florida with any county tax collector, licensed
private tag agency, or the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
 Within 30 days of the purchase date or the date the boat entered Florida; or
 Within 90 days after the boat enters Florida, when the boat is documented, licensed,
titled, or registered in another state.

thanks for that. I looked up the entire statute. I can't find anything that refers to foreign flagged vessels, you got anything ?

[Symphony]

a foreign flagged vessel would fit the "documented, titled" part of the 90 day deadline.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Symphony

a foreign flagged vessel would fit the "documented, titled" part of the 90 day deadline.

Found it .... Foreign flagged vessels are exempt. ....

Foreign-Flagged Vessels
Foreign-flagged vessels or boats holding a valid License to Cruise in the Waters of the United States issued by the United States Customs Service pursuant to 19 Code of Federal Regulations 4.94 are not subject to Florida use tax.

[Boatguy30]

Yes, to be friendly to the wealthy campaign donors. Of course a $25 SSR registry also qualifies.

[Symphony]

Good job finding the Florida use tax FAQ page, Boatpoker!

here's a page with Letter Ruling on Reciprocal Hailing Ports that are not charged fees for the US Cruising Permit:
https://www.cbp.gov/bulletins/42genno45.pdf

If laws, codes, rulings, and regulations were literal and straightforward there'd be no market for lawyers and their services. As far as boat Use Tax goes, there's still the matter of when someone becomes a Resident of a state for purpose of taxation (not citizenship). I think even a foreign flagged vessel needs to keep moving around every 90 days IF in an area with aggressive tax collectors. Tax collectors interpret the laws too, they sue and get sued.

This is an interesting thread. Now I understand why I see mega-yachts hailing from small island British Dependencies. I will keep digging around code and hope others (Boatpoker!) will too.