Tax Issues

[Bozworth]

Hello. We have been bombarded with tax notices from multiple states after apparently having our license plates photographed in parking lots of gambling casinos and apparently other places? Any other snowbirds or others having similar issues?

 

[Jeff]

We have never had that happen. What plates are on your RV?

 

[Bozworth]

south dakota. Apparently SD is considered a tax fraud state by at least a few jealous other revenue departments

 

[Bozworth]

Hopefully this is not a rampant problem yet for anybody else but we are told that being in the same casino for 20 or more days during one 12 month period makes you subject to the environmental impact taxes of the second state

 

[Jeff]

We have had SD plates on our m/h and toad for 8 years and have never been questioned.


You are also the first person I have ever heard describe SD as a tax fraud state. SD charges 3% sales tax on vehicles but does give credit for tax paid in other states. What SD does do is provide a friendly environment to legally domicile as a full timer as do other states like TX and FL.


If you are legally a resident of another state it is fraudulent to claim a domicile in any state simply to avoid paying your local taxes.

 

[Bozworth]

I agree Jeff but that does not stop the attacks. Baton Rouge has 12% use tax and while they might give credit for the part paid previously in another state we still owe 9 percent  backdated to the new price of the rig? All from allegedly visiting the casino too often?

 

[Bob Buchanan]

    My rig was purchased in Texas - with my former rig as a trade in. Texas doesn't charge tax on the trade in portion of the sale price whereas CA does. So I had 20 days to pay that once I crossed the border on my return.
I am a legal resident of CA.

I've been a full time RVer for about 18 years now and have never been photoed that I am aware of. On many occasion over the years I have been more than 20 days on NV casino parking lots. Actually, in some locations, the casino's encourage the stay. However, my rig has never been on a casino lot other than in NV.

 

[Trailer traveler]

Both Texas and South Dakota have a use tax on durable goods purchased out of state or over the internet and brought into the state by residents. Credit is given for any tax paid in another state but if the use tax rate is higher, the balance is due. My suspicion is that this tax is ignored by many fulltimers registered in these states as it is rarely mentioned. I believe the Texas statute has some consideration for the age of the item (I seem to recall it being one year), but I could not find my reference to it.

 

[Jomo]

Bozworth,
Are you a legal resident of SD and have a SD plate but are getting tax notices from other states?  Louisiana and any others?

 

[Selah]

Speaking of taxes, September 15th is coming up boys and girls.

 

[Jim Godward]

Speaking of taxes, September 15th is coming up boys and girls.

Not nice, I would have preferred to be reminded by my phone on the 14th!   

 

[Wendy]

If you won money at the casino, you may owe income tax on that amount. But the use tax shouldn't apply to anything purchased because you are simply a visitor to Louisiana, are domiciled in another state and have shown no intention of becoming a Louisiana resident. 20 days does not a resident make.

 

[Jeff]

It's pretty darn impossible to avoid the SD Use tax, they collect it before they will issue your plates.

 

[Jeff]

I know that in WA having out-of-state plates on an RV that is towing or being towed by a vehicle with WA plates is grounds to be pulled over by the State Patrol.

 

[John From Detroit]

Most states (All that have sales tax far as I know) also have USE tax for goods purchased out of state and either shipped in or brought in.

One question is how long did you spend in those casino parking lots.. I have been reading about a new law in Nevada (or at least Clark County, NV) where if you are there for more than xx days they want you to buy a permit from the state/county...

I do have a recommendations.. BOYCOTT.

 

[Bozworth]

Fulltimers and carnies seem to be the only people in the world who have a grasp on the complexities of the conflicts between states. With license plate cams recording every move it is even trickier. Our intent was to snowbird 6 and 6 which should mean we only have to satisfy two states? If one just goes by voting registration, homestead exemption, drivers license, etc. would that not be enough?

Well we have a daughter at LSU so if we visit her too many times that gives Louisiana a right to claim us as.

The casino idea seemed like a good idea too, nice buffets to choose from, etc.

I wonder if anyone has ever surveyed all states to see what their threshholds are for number of days before they can make us pay use taxes and buy plates?

 

[Bob Buchanan]

I wonder if anyone has ever surveyed all states to see what their threshholds are for number of days before they can make us pay use taxes and buy plates?

    In CA it's 20 days for a CA resident purchasing out of state. If over that, be careful of your neighbors - as the CHP has even provided an on line form to turn you in. Not sure of how long a non resident can stay without paying - however, if that plate sits around too long, the CHP may come calling to check you out.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/prog/cheaters.cgi

In Nevada, most casinos go out of their way to "not" comply with any law that deters folks from gaming machines and tables. Or, comply in such a way as to not deter out of state RVers. That is other than those not fully self contained and can't afford more than penny slots.

 

[Photog]

I wonder if anyone has ever surveyed all states to see what their threshholds are for number of days before they can make us pay use taxes and buy plates?

I think the Bennett Law firm in Missoula, MT has the answer with respect to most if not all of the states.

 

[Derby6]

We have been bombarded with tax notices from multiple states

Even 20 consecutive days is  over the top, but just 20 days a year completly is ridiculous..

Sounds like a scam to me...Are you 100% sure its the actual state agencies asking for $$$$?
If not send me some toooooo ;D

52-53 weekends in a year and I'd bet there are plenty of folks that take their RV's to casino's once to twice a month across a state border for 2, maybe 3 days....

 

[arcticfox2005]

I know that in WA having out-of-state plates on an RV that is towing or being towed by a vehicle with WA plates is grounds to be pulled over by the State Patrol.

This happened to a friend - pulled over in WY with a motorhome (WY plates) towing a toad (with AZ plates). What the deputy told him was basically, "we don't care which you have, but they both need to be the same".

Bill