Registering Trailer in a State Other Than Actual Residency

UPDATE: I spoke to my friend today and he DID make an error when he said it cost $750/year to register his trailer in AZ. It turns out he bought the trailer in Utah and hadn't paid the sales tax. About $500 of that $750 was for tax. So, in reality his registration is a little over $200/year, which makes more sense. I think my friend is having issues with senior moments. :)

Tell your friend to check out the state of Maine a lot of us in Maryland get or work trailer tags out of Maine for the same reason but Im not sure about travel Trailers. I have a friend who has a trucking business and all of his trailers are tagged in Maine. The tags are good for ten years and they send you a e-mail when they are close to running out. You can find the information on the net.

monkey44 wrote:
Sometimes the state vehicle fees make no sense - a state will charge very high fees, and then many of it's residents will spend time AND money to find a way around the high fees.

The thing is the vast majority of the taxpayers will pay their registration/property taxes. I doubt if a high tax state lowered their vehicle registration fees by 25% that revenue would increase by 25%. Luxury goods like yachts are another story. Rich folks will do anything they can to avoid high taxes on their expensive toys.

Here in Minnesota we had fairly high registration fees up until 1999. A lot of vehicles "lived" in Wisconsin as they had lower fees. The fees were lowered in 1999. Registration fees went back up in 2009 only for newly registered vehicles. I don't know if the fees are as high as before.

I just paid my renewal on a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan (stripped version!) and it was $280. My motorhome was also $280. The renewal goes down over time for the car, but the motorhome is based on weight and never goes down.

Earl E wrote:
You may not be getting the straight scoop from your friend...or he needs to check to see if something is wrong. We have a 2011 23' Keystone Hideout that we just registered in AZ for $260. and it will go down every year. So $700 sounds way off the mark...

I told my friend last night about the amount you're paying compared to him. I recommended that he re-check his figures. I suspect he may be including his new 2012 Silverado pickup in that figure. At any rate, readers of this thread have received a tutorial on the legality (or, illegality) concerning the theme of this discussion.

Sometimes the state vehicle fees make no sense - a state will charge very high fees, and then many of it's residents will spend time AND money to find a way around the high fees.

If the states would recognize that, and adjust the fees, it would receive that revenue without so much hassle. But, because it wants more and more, and then more for each, then it makes people think about ways to defeat the fee. The states would each collect more, AND save all those enforcement costs.

I can give an example of MA fees - the state collects 7% sales tax on a new vehicle (or used) AND then the town where that owner resides tacks on another identical fee every year you own it ... that's every year. But the first year, that's $5800 on a $40,000 vehicle ... big hit.

SO, residents pay it annually, BUT most are very upset to pay the sales tax AND the property tax when you first buy it. That's a pretty big hit and it's duplicate, not just once. So, guess what lots of Boston residents do - if the car / truck/ RV is new and expensive, they register it at a sister or brother or mom that lives in New Hampshire - bingo, no sales tax. I know, other taxes apply in NH too, but not the 7% plus 7% duplicate fee.

If a state makes it worthwhile to legally avoid taxes, like the Montana LLC, people will do it ... so, the states are fighting a losing battle. Adjusting the tax structure will gain more revenue than raising and enforcing "higher" fees.
OMG, we should run for an election somewhere ... :) :) :)

BillB800si wrote:
Here in Michigan we have a flat RV Trailer license plate fee. $200 for as long as you own it. Non-transferable though. The plate is just for that trailer.
Buy another trailer and you buy another license plate.

I wish frigging California would do that.
Drives me nutz that all other trailers here even roll-outs on gravel dumps have a one time PTI that costs $20.00 every five years.

Lots of commercial trailers titled and registered in Maine. They have more registered commercial trailers than they have people.

I'm surprised no one mentioned a Montana LLC for his friends new out of state 'business'.

Here in Michigan we have a flat RV Trailer license plate fee. $200 for as long as you own it. Non-transferable though. The plate is just for that trailer.
Buy another trailer and you buy another license plate.

You may not be getting the straight scoop from your friend...or he needs to check to see if something is wrong. We have a 2011 23' Keystone Hideout that we just registered in AZ for $260. and it will go down every year. So $700 sounds way off the mark...