"Offshore closing" for tax efficiency in international waters

[In Training]

how does all this apply to buying boat in u.s., but leaving in less than 90 days to islands and do not intend to return. can you do an offshore purchase, and not register it in any state as you are leaving shortly, thereby not paying any sales or use tax?

[wizoc]

Originally Posted by In Training

how does all this apply to buying boat in u.s., but leaving in less than 90 days to islands and do not intend to return. can you do an offshore purchase, and not register it in any state as you are leaving shortly, thereby not paying any sales or use tax?

Yes
Purchase thru an LLC, document the boat, and have the LLC in a tax free state such as RI.

[denverd0n]

You don't have to purchase through an LLC, and you don't have to purchase offshore. Buy a boat in Florida, leave within 90 days, and you do not owe any sales tax, nor do you have to register it. Many other states have similar provisions, but you have to check the laws of the particular state where you intend to buy the boat.

[redneckrob]

Originally Posted by wizoc

Yes
Purchase thru an LLC, document the boat, and have the LLC in a tax free state such as RI.

What in the world does an LLC have to do with it? LLCs aren't magic tax avoidance schemes, you'll always pay the same sales tax no matter if you're an individual registering a boat or and LLC. The only tax advantage of an LLC is when you sell the boat you can sell the LLC and the buyer wouldn't have to pay sales tax, which is not the case here.