Unamerican activity

[Earlybird]

So, I bought this 1984 380SL from this gal and her husband that knew what the blue book was. She said high blue book was 22,000 but thought 2,200 was more appropriate. I bought the car as soon as possible before the phone ringing off the hook made her aware the price was too low. Here is the Unamerican part: I took the title with her signature and the sale price (2,200)and the bill of sale with the sale price (2,200) and a copy of the add from Craigs-List that stated 2,200 and she had turned in the notification that was now in the data base as being sold for 2,200. The lady at the DOL told me that the mid blue book was 13,100 and I would have to pay taxes on that amount. Heres my question: isn't that against the law or the constitution or something? I'm going to call the ACLU. How can they tax you for what you didn't pay? They say I can get an noterized afidavit from the seller stating the car needs a bunch of work but the car is in great condition and the gal now knows what a mistake she made and will not cooperate. I think this is an unfair law. If I go to the Supermarket and buy a steak on sale for $2 and the store taxes me for the full price $8 then I think I should call a cop.

[Benzcrusher]

Move to SC:

No inspections of ANY kind.

Vehicle sales tax is capped at $300. New Maybach? Tax=$300.
Annual county property tax on my w123's is $14 plus $25 "road tax"....

[opossum]

That just aint right. I cant believe that could be true...she must have something mixed up. I like the steak analogy. Isn't that why they call it SALES tax? not average value tax? I'm perplexed

[250 Coupe]

That's the way Washington does business.

The last three cars I've bought have been way under NADA. In fact I've never seen a car listed at even low NADA. Doesn't matter to Washington State. You need to prove that you are not a liar by providing a detailed list of repairs required or defects unrepairable to be taxed at the actual purchase price.

When I bought the 250C, I presented a quote for paint that exceeded the NADA by $700. They then accepted my actual purchase price of $1500 rather than $4500.

With the 450SEL, I made up a list of everything that needed work and they accepted the actual purchase price of $3500 rather than the grossly inflated NADA.

It sucks to buy cars in Washington State.

Michael

[meltedpanda]

its a state law thing, I know I had the same deal, however KY has now changed and you only have to pay tax on what you pay for the car, $100 minimum.
It does suck, and although I feel bad for you, it sounds like you got a really good deal. Tell you what I will give you $2200 AND pay the tax

Once you are over the tax thing, tell us more about the car!

[Tomguy]

You could always put it on eBay for like $10k and make a huge profit on all this...

Is selling your 450SL to pay for the tax on the 380?

[Earlybird]

No, I used the family money not my mad money to buy it. Now I have to pay the family account back. Old silver needs the most amount of work so she goes on the auction block Tuesday. I worked on it all weekend to clean it up and fix as many of the little things as possible.

[meltedpanda]

"old Silver"

[Earlybird]

I just got back from the DOL web site. The sales tax on auto sales is not a sales tax. It is a user fee and it is based on the actual market value, not what you paid for it. The problem is Low blue book is 12,000 and actual market value per Ebay is between 5 and 7K. I guess I'm going to have to find a dealer to apraise the car for a more reasonable price. I hate this state the way they handle title transfers.

[bgkast]

I'm in WA. Didn't they have you rate the car from 1-show room condition to 5- parts car? I always say my cars are a 4.

[Strife]

It's still crooked - paying tax over and over again on the same item. Many states operate in this way.

[t walgamuth]

calm and ask around. there is usually a way around things like this. in indiana you present a bill of sale and that is the basis of the tax. and if it is a very old car you can often just tell them a price and they will take your word for it. most of my cars are parts cars when i buy them. (heh heh).

this wont work on newer cars.

tom w

[BobsterMan]

We have this in Manitoba, Canada, too. It can work for you in some cases. My 1980 Cutlass sedan with a 403, TH350, and IROC rear end cost me $1600 certified safe (asked 2500). When I registered it, they looked my receipt and told me the tax. I replied that suppose I didn't have the receipt, then how much is it worth? 100 bucks, she said, is all that they would give me in a write-off (sounded like wholesale scrap to me). I asked for a blue pen (small-town friendly) and holding it over the "1600" on the bill, asked, "How is sixteen dollars?", and she said, "Better make it a hundred and sixty". Like they are going to scrap it anyway. That's my job!!

[250 Coupe]

Washington State will not just take your word for the value of your car, they used to but not anymore. You must prove through documentation or quotes that it is worth less than NADA or you will be charged based on NADA.

Michael

[boneheaddoctor]

State of VA charges blue book ...unless you can prove its beat to death or has very high miles there is no way out of it.