Taxes when buying a pop up camper from out of state

Usually yes, but state vehicle (and trailer) tax laws vary a lot so do some research on your specific situation.

Typically taxes are paid when registering/titling the vehicle. There are a few ways to avoid double taxation, and usually at least one of them will be available to you:

1. Do the paperwork necessary to get a registration in your home state before going to pick up the trailer. That generally will require some degree of cooperation from the seller (and mutual trust) to exchange money, bill of sale, etc. via mail or fax or whatever.

2. Many states will offer a temporary registration or transit permit for a nominal fee that allows an out-of-state driver to drive or tow the vehicle to their home state. This is often the easiest approach. Generally you don't need to pay sales tax for these permits; if you do, many states will offset the sales and use tax you need to pay when you actually register the vehicle. Some states also offer these sorts of permits for bringing in vehicles you purchase out of state.

3. For a popup especially, you could fairly easily put it on another trailer or in a box truck or similar to bring it home. Obviously it does not need to be registered etc. when it's merely cargo.

This comes up frequently, best to check with your DMV. Here, I can get an exemption from the seller's province if the unit is being delivered to me. Otherwise I pay the tax and claim it back when I register the vehicle at home. YMMV

Thank you both for your responses. I think our best option will be to have it hauled to us. I just wanted to see if anyone had any ideas we hadn’t thought of, as this is our first big out of state purchase.

I live in Texas and have bought lots of trucks and trailers from out of state. You will only pay tax in the state where you register the trailer. I have bought several vehicles in Iowa, and never pay tax there. Bring it home, and you will be taxed when you get ready to register and put license on it. You can buy a "one trip" paper tag before you go, and use it to be legal towing back to Texas. That tag used to cost about $10.00. Not sure of cost now. When you get it home, you will need a safety inspection before you go get it registered.

I've bought many cars, motorcycles and RV out of state. If you are buying from a dealer, then they are well set up to get the appropriate paperwork and give you a temporary "paper" plate to tow the RV back home. When you get home, you will register at your TX DMV and will pay taxes there.

mowingman wrote:
........
When you get it home, you will need a safety inspection before you go get it registered.

If it weighs more than 7,500 lbs.

TX trailer info

I have only researched ONE state and it is not either of the states you mention.

In the state I researched ... IF You pay Sales Tax at the point of purchase. Save your receipt, showing the amount of Tax you paid. And when you go to TITLE the vehicle they will take that much off your Home state taxes up to the amount of your homne state.

IE: If you pay 4% at point of purchase and your honme state is six percent you pay the other two when you title

If your honme state is 4 percent and the point of purchase is six. you pay NOTHING tax wise at tine of title.. Sadly you do not get a refund.

Here in PA, if you purchase out of state, they ask to see your bill of sale and if you paid sales tax. As mentioned above, you get "credit" for what you already paid.

If you provide your out of state ID at the time of sale, you can claim exempt from sales tax and then you will pay your local state's full sales tax when you complete the title/trailer registration stuff.

Not everyone will cooperate with the second option, but many will, in my experience.

YMMV.

Check with AAA, they deal with things like that all the time.

I live in Iowa. When you purchase a used vehicle the seller signs the title upon full payment and removes the plates.

If buying from a dealer you will get a driveaway plate and a bill of sale.


If you get stopped for no plates, show the signed title or bill of sale. you should be good to go. When you get home, go tot he local DMV and get a new title and plates.