Wrong Pump in AZ

[fischer]

Just read about ging to the wrong pump in Arizona at truck stops. If you have 3 axels or over 26,000 lbs rig and your diesel. Fine is 1000 dollars if you use the car pumps.
Did you big guys already know this

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winepress wrote:
For whatever it's worth, I travel to AZ from CA twice a year. On my way back to CA I stop at a truck stop near the border as fuel is cheaper. I use the lane that says RV's only. Fuel is taxed at the lower rate, no option for the higher price on the RV pumps.

That is that way it is in every location I have ever been into where RV pumps are available. No doubt (because it is required by law) the pump had the consumer warning label attached citing ARS 28-5432. In your case, if you have a GVW in excess of 26,000 lbs/more then two axles, you should have moved to the truck pumps to fuel.

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jlabr2 wrote:
Yes, but the person that Rollnhome talked to on the phone said that ALL RVs are exempt. Then it seems a different person sent the email that contradicts what was said over the phone. I just can't figure out why the state can't figure this out??

The State of Arizona doesn't have a problem figuring it out. ARS 28-5432 is as clear as day. Section "C" list ALL exceptions (as I have said all along) and there is NO EXCEPTION listed for any RVs or motorhomes. This isn't that complicated. Who knows what question was asked on the phone or what answer was given. My guess is that they had to go to the person with the authority to put together a written statement.

Now... should the Statute be changed to exempt RVs. Absolutely. But as it stands and as it it written now, RVs are not exempt.

[jlabr2]

mpierce wrote:
I do not think we will ever get a plain english answer. Gov't workers like to cover their but.

The email said only those that are exempt do not pay it. RV's are NOT listed as exempt.

Thus, if you are big enough, you pay the higher tax.

At least that is the way I read the gobbligook!

The higher tax is not the issue, it is the inconvenience of not having the correct fuel pump near to me or the possibility of a $1000 fine if I use the wrong pump.

[mpierce]

I do not think we will ever get a plain english answer. Gov't workers like to cover their but.

The email said only those that are exempt do not pay it. RV's are NOT listed as exempt.

Thus, if you are big enough, you pay the higher tax.

At least that is the way I read the gobbligook!

[jlabr2]

winepress wrote:
For whatever it's worth, I travel to AZ from CA twice a year. On my way back to CA I stop at a truck stop near the border as fuel is cheaper. I use the lane that says RV's only. Fuel is taxed at the lower rate, no option for the higher price on the RV pumps.

Ok, but did you notice if the RV pump had one of those warning stickers applied to it??

[winepress]

For whatever it's worth, I travel to AZ from CA twice a year. On my way back to CA I stop at a truck stop near the border as fuel is cheaper. I use the lane that says RV's only. Fuel is taxed at the lower rate, no option for the higher price on the RV pumps.

[jlabr2]

Yes, but the person that Rollnhome talked to on the phone said that ALL RVs are exempt. Then it seems a different person sent the email that contradicts what was said over the phone. I just can't figure out why the state can't figure this out??

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Rollnhome wrote:
This is what I got. No change or clarification here.

Good Morning Sir,

Here is the ARS:
28-5606. Imposition of motor fuel taxes
A. In addition to all other taxes provided by law, a tax of eighteen cents per gallon is imposed on motor vehicle fuel possessed, used or consumed in this state.
B. To partially compensate this state for the use of its highways:
1. A use fuel tax is imposed on use fuel used in the propulsion of a light class motor vehicle on a highway in this state at the same rate per gallon as the motor vehicle fuel tax prescribed in subsection A of this section, except that there is no use fuel tax on alternative fuels.
2. A use fuel tax is imposed on use fuel used in the propulsion of a use class motor vehicle on a highway in this state at the rate of twenty-six cents for each gallon, except that there is no use fuel tax on alternative fuels and use class vehicles that are exempt pursuant to section 28-5432 from the weight fee prescribed in section 28-5433 are subject to the use fuel tax imposed by paragraph 1 of this subsection.

If you need any other information you can contact us by phone # or via email.

Thank you


Harminder Sarna
Program & Project Specialist 2
Revenue and Fuel Tax Administration
Fuel Tax Refund and licensing Unit
1801 W Jefferson St, Mail Drop 521M
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-712-8902
www.azdot.gov

No clarification? ARS 28-5432 (as I have been saying all along) is very clear with its listed exceptions. NO RVs or motorhomes are included in the list of exceptions.

[msmith1199]

So you got a non-answer! The question that needs answered is very simple, I wonder why they can't answer it? Is a privately owned motorhome included, and if so all Diesels that weight over 26K or have three axles? And if the answer is yes, which of the four vehicle classifications are they considering a motorhome to be?

[Rollnhome]

This is what I got. No change or clarification here.

Good Morning Sir,

Here is the ARS:
28-5606. Imposition of motor fuel taxes
A. In addition to all other taxes provided by law, a tax of eighteen cents per gallon is imposed on motor vehicle fuel possessed, used or consumed in this state.
B. To partially compensate this state for the use of its highways:
1. A use fuel tax is imposed on use fuel used in the propulsion of a light class motor vehicle on a highway in this state at the same rate per gallon as the motor vehicle fuel tax prescribed in subsection A of this section, except that there is no use fuel tax on alternative fuels.
2. A use fuel tax is imposed on use fuel used in the propulsion of a use class motor vehicle on a highway in this state at the rate of twenty-six cents for each gallon, except that there is no use fuel tax on alternative fuels and use class vehicles that are exempt pursuant to section 28-5432 from the weight fee prescribed in section 28-5433 are subject to the use fuel tax imposed by paragraph 1 of this subsection.

If you need any other information you can contact us by phone # or via email.

Thank you


Harminder Sarna
Program & Project Specialist 2
Revenue and Fuel Tax Administration
Fuel Tax Refund and licensing Unit
1801 W Jefferson St, Mail Drop 521M
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-712-8902
www.azdot.gov

[jlabr2]

lbligh wrote:
Also, why isn't anyone calling the number listed on the pump label for information on this issue? Calling numbers to folks that are not trained to answer questions is worthless. The number shown is (602) 712-6461. That number has a mailbox which is full and asks you to call back.

I am not familiar with this #. Jim and I have both called the # on the pump sticker that I took a pic of in an earlier post. We both got no response from that # as the phone system seems to not be working properly.

[jlabr2]

Rollnhome wrote:
I am talking with Vasile Samartinean, Fuel Tax Compliance Supervisor. He is going to call me back with a definitive answer. If he don't known I would think no one does.

Yeah, I think I talked to him last week and got a wishy washy response (IMO) but he said basically what he told you from today. The person I talked to this morning was Ashaid Baskel. Not sure of the spelling let alone the pronunciation. When he calls me back I will be sure to ask his position in the department.

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jlabr2 wrote:

TucsonJim wrote:
Okay, the toll free number was absolutely useless! The automatic answering machine answers as "Fuel Fraud Hotline", and give three options.

Option 1 - Report Suspected Fuel Fraud. I pushed this option and the machine said "thanks for your message, Goodbye". It didn't give me a chance to leave a message or be routed to an operator. It just hung up on me.

So I called back and pushed Option 2 - Refund Forms. The answering machine said "thanks for your message, Goodbye". It didn't give me a chance to leave a message or be routed to an operator. It just hung up on me.

Next was the dreaded Option 3 - Hang up and dial another number which is the Arizona Department of Transportation main number. The phone number is 602-255-0072. It took a few minutes of going through the options after initially dialing. I was put on hold, so I held, and held, and held. After 18 minutes, I had to hang up to in order to make it to an appointment.

I give up.

Yeah Jim, I got the same thing. So I called the General Question # for ADOT, was transferred to Weights and Measures, transferred to a person who could answer my questions, she gave the # of the person in charge if these issues. Talked to this gentleman for 15 minutes and he is basically saying that RVs over 26k and 3 or more axles are not exempt from paying the higher fuel tax. It is all based on that bigger heavier vehicles put more stress on the roads and it does not matter if you are commercial or private. So I told him about my situation about not having any "use fuel" pumps near me here in the East Valley and he said he is aware of this problem but had no solutions. He did, however, question the fact that this will impact a lot of "snow birds" and citizens alike and is going to call me back with more details about the law. That's all I know for now. Will post more when I find out more.

Well... that is consistent with ARS 28-5432 as the published reference statute.

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Rollnhome wrote:
Just got off phone with Fuel Tax Fraud. First person didn't didn't know. Was transfered to higher up personnel. I was told all private mh no matter weight or number of axles could use the light class fuel pumps. This person is e mailing me the information. As soon as i get the document I will cut and paste to this thread. Number called 602-712-8473 but was transferred to another unknown number. Now we wait.

Did you manage to get a source publication to get that in writing? Also, why isn't anyone calling the number listed on the pump label for information on this issue? Calling numbers to folks that are not trained to answer questions is worthless. The number shown is (602) 712-6461. That number has a mailbox which is full and asks you to call back.

[2gypsies1]

For what it's worth, we'll be filling up shortly at our usual stop - the Pilot in Eloy and at our usual place - the end pump that is marked for RVs.