Hi! I'm doing my federal taxes and need help. :h We have a travel trailer and I am wondering if I can deduct the full amount of the $75 registration fee paid in 2013 as a "personal property tax" deduction or if I should claim the vehicle license fee (VLF) as a "car registration fee" deduction as I have in previous years (which is $4). We live in California, and I am using Turbo Tax Deluxe.Obviously I would prefer to claim $75, but I don't know if that's allowed.

If you're itemizing and TT allows it, sure.

Basically, I think the law says that "registration" fees are not personal property tax, but the vehicle license fee is a personal property tax. Our state is quite different than yours, our vehicle license fee will run over $300 for my truck and only $30 for the license fee. TT will allow anything that you input on the line, the software has no way of knowing what the designation is on the registration form, but that doesn't mean you should do it just because the software allows it.

Send Quicken (TT) an e-mail and ask THEM.

I also use TurboTax. Just checked the "learn more" help items for both Car Registration Fees and Personal Property Tax. It says that the amount of vehicle related tax you can deduct should appear on your registration bill. According to CA.gov California does not charge personal property tax on vehicles.

Allworth wrote:Send Quicken (TT) an e-mail and ask THEM.I'm not thinkin' Quicken is a good source for tax advice...I'd just ask the IRS if the fee is deductible.

Federal Tax Question - CA | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

CloudDriver
Explorer
Feb 28, 2014
I also use TurboTax. Just checked the "learn more" help items for both Car Registration Fees and Personal Property Tax. It says that the amount of vehicle related tax you can deduct should appear on your registration bill. According to CA.gov California does not charge personal property tax on vehicles.
Allworth
Explorer II
Feb 28, 2014
Send Quicken (TT) an e-mail and ask THEM.
jalichty
Explorer
Feb 28, 2014
Basically, I think the law says that "registration" fees are not personal property tax, but the vehicle license fee is a personal property tax. Our state is quite different than yours, our vehicle license fee will run over $300 for my truck and only $30 for the license fee. TT will allow anything that you input on the line, the software has no way of knowing what the designation is on the registration form, but that doesn't mean you should do it just because the software allows it.
2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 28, 2014
If you're itemizing and TT allows it, sure.

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Federal Tax Question - CA

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