California personal property tax issue

[dohenyboy]

Hello everyone, I think I know the answer but want to make sure.
I have a chance to buy a project boat in California, very cheap. But the prior owner left the country without paying some personal property taxes that were assessed by the county. With the passage of time and interest, they are so much that the boat is not worth it even if it were free.
Is there a statute of limitations for the county personal property taxes to go away? The county says no.
I don't want to register it out of state since it would be easier to resell locally in California.

[SailingHarmonie]

About the only option would be to make a settlement offer to the Board of Equalization to clear the back taxes. It’s unlikely they would be that flexible, but you never know. Taking it to
another state will not clear the tax lien. You would never be able to sell the boat because it would never have a clear title.

[denverd0n]

First off, of course, you really should be talking to a California tax professional. Taking tax advice from a bunch of strangers on an internet forum is a really bad idea.

Second, if the owner has skipped, how do you expect to be able to legally buy the boat? Are you in touch with him? Even if you are, I can't imagine what sort of a contract you would write that would leave you stuck with the back taxes. Heck! California might even pay you a bounty to help them track him down.

Thirdly, just don't. This sounds like such a bad idea right from start to finish that I would walk away and never look back. There is just no way that I see this ending well.

Good luck, whatever you do.

[dohenyboy]

Thanks to all. No, I am not asking for tax advice, just for information if anyone knows what the rules are. I have not found anything in the statutes or regulations, but, I am a Federal tax expert and don't have much experience with state rules. When I have a chance I will get to the law library and look it up in BNA. Many of the so-called tax professionals out there don't know very much. The bureaucrats are not going to cut any slack unless they are required to under law.

[donradcliffe]

You said that the boat was worth less than the accumulated liens and interest. Sounds like the basis of a negotiation with the county. Many houses with unpaid property tax are auctioned off, so it wouldn't be their first rodeo.

[Cpt Mark]

Negotiating with the county might work. Depends on which county. Alameda afaik is the worst. I'd walk away.