Florida Non-Resident Exemption

[tookish1]

As non-residents purchasing a boat in Florida we qualify for the 90 day + 90 day extension sales/use tax exemption allowing us to keep the boat in Florida for a total of 180 days. The documentation states that a Broker must purchase the exemption decals and affix them to the boat. We are planning a private party sale - no broker involved.

Does anyone know if it is possible to claim the non-resident exemption in a private party transaction? Or a broker that could facilitate the transaction? (willing to pay a fee of course).

It would be great if someone has actual recent first hand experience going through this.

Thanks in advance!!

[nknowland]

We are MN residents and bought our boat in FL in 2009. At that time, there was only 90 days to leave FL (no extension that you mentioned so I would double check that detail as it just doesn't sound like FL to be that generous!). We needed to file one form once we arrived in GA with a receipt as evidence that we had left the state. Very straightforward. No decal needed. We used a broker for the sale but he had nothing to do with the sales tax exemption.

[Dsanduril]

You want to look at Florida Department of Revenue form GT-800005. The 7/15 version is less clear than the superseded 12/11, but the bottom line is only dealers/brokers can get you the exemption.

Florida’s six percent (6%) use tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales
surtax, is due on a boat used or stored in Florida when:

 The boat is purchased from a person who is not a registered boat dealer and the sale
or delivery of the boat occurs in Florida;

Specific Exemptions
Boats Sold to Nonresidents
A boat sold by or through a registered dealer or broker to a purchaser who is a nonresident of Florida
at the time of taking delivery of the boat in Florida is exempt.

Looks like you need to find a friendly broker.

[denverd0n]

Dsanduril is right. It is in Chapter 212 of the Florida Statutes. You can see it here, if you want... Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

Section 2 is where it says that the exemption is for sales "by or through a registered dealer."

[tookish1]

Thanks - that's how I read it as well. Anybody know any licensed brokers that want to help out for a reasonable fee? PM if you prefer.

The downside of doing this wrong is a serious financial hit so definitely want to follow the very letter of the law.