The Great State of Texas Screws Us Again!

[hueco]

  I just found  out that "The State" has come up with another way to fleece us tax payers out of our hard earned money.When you buy a used vehicle and go to transfer the title "The State" charges tax on what THEY think it is worth. Not what you paid for it.Example, if you bought a 1995 clunker, maybe it needs an engine or tranny, it is 13 years old, "The State" does not consider that. Under this new law it bases tax on, I guess, top NADA price for that vehicle, minus 20% for road use, whatever the hell that means. So, Fellow Texans bend over and take it or fight back? Every thing is going up except wages.Now our elected legislators,who work for us, are piling on every chance they get. All, I can do is call my congessman and ask what the hell is going on. A lot of good that will do, huh. If this sh!t keeps up its going to be time for another revolution.Keep your powder dry! OK , had to vent, I am off my soapbox. Anyway I ran out of space.

[Curtis_2Valks]

After all the times we put $100 on the title transfer when we really gave $1000 do we really have a right to complain?

Curtis

[DrewDanube]

I had read there was supposed to be a way around that.  I guess the only one really is to make sure the clunker you are buying is over 25 years old...or the VIN can't be found, as was the case with my Interstate

[BeeSharp]

When I registered the Valkyrie a couple years ago, I asked what if the bike was is rough shape and needed a lot of work. The lady at the DMV said I had to get 2 or 3 appraisals done to appeal the value assigned by the state.

Jim

From TxDOT - Standard Presumptive Value
http://www.txdot.gov/services/vehicle_titles_and_registration/std_presumptive_value.htm

A new state law took effect on October 1, 2006, that requires all Texans who buy a used vehicle from anyone other than a licensed car dealer to pay sales tax on the vehicle’s Standard Presumptive Value.

You can preview the Standard Presumptive Value of a used vehicle by entering the vehicle identification number (VIN) and odometer reading (not needed for motorcycles) in the boxes below. Please note:

The Standard Presumptive Value presented here is subject to change and should be used for estimation purposes only.
Values are updated weekly.
Actual sales tax due is calculated at the county tax office when the title transaction is submitted.
Values for some late models may not be available.

[hueco]

Thanks, BeeSharp. Great info. I have not bought a vehicle in several years. I was unaware of this new law. I bought a 1995 Jeep Wrangler and put down what I paid for it. When they charged $750.00 more than I paid for it I was pissed. But, kept my cool. So, I guess I got a good deal on the Jeep. I still believe it is none of  the states business. But , I remember when it cost $5.30 to register a motorcycle!

[Rocketman]

If the "standard presumptive value" didn't seem to be 50% higher than blue book value, this wouldn't be so much of a problem. (I only checked my truck, out of curiousity, so maybe other vehicles are different, but...)

[DrewDanube]

If the "standard presumptive value" didn't seem to be 50% higher than blue book value, this wouldn't be so much of a problem. (I only checked my truck, out of curiousity, so maybe other vehicles are different, but...)

Ouch!
They are trying to make up for years of lost revenue!

[Hollywood]

Thier value is a lot better than "BlueBook" Which by the way you can look up values on motorcycles too.

here's the link
www.kbb.com

Just put in the make, model and year.

Something good for those selling OR buying used bikes!    ???

[Rocketman]

Thier value is a lot better than "BlueBook" Which by the way you can look up values on motorcycles too.

[snip]

Something good for those selling OR buying used bikes!    ???

I don't think I follow.  By better, do you mean lower than bluebook?  That's not what I found in my (very limited) check.  That's good if some are lower, but my old truck was 50% higher.  Hmm.

[Hollywood]

I guess it depends on the bike or vehicle. I checked several and Blue Book was higher than the state value, BUT if you wanted to protest the state value, I guess you could print out the Blue Book value and take it with you( if it was in your favor) !


www.dragonbrethe.com

check out the latest articles " From The Princess Seat!"    :

[Bartman]

I have a seperate complaint about the taxes they charge. I don't understand why they charge tax on a used bike or car at all. The taxes are paid on the full amount when it is purchased new. Why in the H E Double Hockey Sticks do they tax us over and over each time it sells?!?!?!
ARRGGH, grumble, grumble...

Bart

[Lyn-Del]

I have a seperate complaint about the taxes they charge. I don't understand why they charge tax on a used bike or car at all. The taxes are paid on the full amount when it is purchased new. Why in the H E Double Hockey Sticks do they tax us over and over each time it sells?!?!?!
ARRGGH, grumble, grumble...

Bart

Because it's called SALES TAX - tax on 'most everything sold. 

When I went to check on registering my HD, even though we had to replace everything but the tins, tax is still calculated at the value they show.  AND they said that there's nothing to be done about it.  Sigh.

Phyllis

[Rocketman]

I have a seperate complaint about the taxes they charge. I don't understand why they charge tax on a used bike or car at all. The taxes are paid on the full amount when it is purchased new. Why in the H E Double Hockey Sticks do they tax us over and over each time it sells?!?!?!
ARRGGH, grumble, grumble...

Bart

Because it's called SALES TAX - tax on 'most everything sold. 

When I went to check on registering my HD, even though we had to replace everything but the tins, tax is still calculated at the value they show.  AND they said that there's nothing to be done about it.  Sigh.

Phyllis

Sales tax on second hand sales is nothing less than double taxation.  They don't tax merchandise when the wholesaler sells it to the retailer, and there really isn't any difference between that and a second-hand vehicle sale.  I suppose maybe I should shut up, though, because the only change we'll see to that is to add taxing the wholesaler, not removing tax from second-hand sales.

As for your HD tax, it sounds as if there's a (overly complicated) process to challenge it, but you probably needed an appraisal prior to your repairs.

Mark

[2-CUP]

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD FOR ME TO SWALLOW. I MOVED ACROSS THE LINE A COUPLE YEARS AGO
FROM LOUISIANA, WHO HAS BEEN DOING THE TAX THING FOR YEARS.
I CAN'T ESCAPE!

[DrewDanube]

I have no problem paying sales tax on any appreciation that there is between transactions.  Say I buy a bike that needs restoration then I go to sell it...There should be tax between what I paid and what I sell it for because there is profit.  It IS double or triply taxing us for the same item...we have to pay it though to register our vehicles...

[Bartman]

I have a seperate complaint about the taxes they charge. I don't understand why they charge tax on a used bike or car at all. The taxes are paid on the full amount when it is purchased new. Why in the H E Double Hockey Sticks do they tax us over and over each time it sells?!?!?!
ARRGGH, grumble, grumble...

Bart

Because it's called SALES TAX - tax on 'most everything sold. 

When I went to check on registering my HD, even though we had to replace everything but the tins, tax is still calculated at the value they show.  AND they said that there's nothing to be done about it.  Sigh.

Phyllis

Yeah, I understand that we pay "SALES TAX - tax on'most everything sold."
But if I sold you my laptop or riding mower or couch or washing machine or any number of other things that I paid sales tax on, there would be no requirement for you to pay sales tax a SECOND TIME. That's where my problem is.
It's a huge scam that pi$$es me off to no end.
So if you can explain to me WHY they charge the SALES TAX again and again and again, that would be wonderful.

Thanks,
Bart

[Rocketman]

Yeah, I understand that we pay "SALES TAX - tax on'most everything sold."
But if I sold you my laptop or riding mower or couch or washing machine or any number of other things that I paid sales tax on, there would be no requirement for you to pay sales tax a SECOND TIME. That's where my problem is.
It's a huge scam that pi$$es me off to no end.
So if you can explain to me WHY they charge the SALES TAX again and again and again, that would be wonderful.

Thanks,
Bart

I'm sure if you went in to complain about paying tax on vehicles, and use the laptop sale as an example of not paying tax, they would calmly ask you how much the laptop cost, then calculate and charge you tax on that.  It's simply a matter of enforcement.  Vehicle registration is an easy method of keeping track of vehicle sales. 
Side rant:  When I moved to California ~10 years ago (moved back to a civilized country as quick as I could), they were charging a tax on "presumptive value" on most vehicles brought into the state, via purchase or simply shipping.  I got charged tax on a ridiculously high value (2%/year depreciation off a new car purchase price?).  I promptly offered the clerk the opportunity to buy my truck at their presumed value.  I still own that truck.

Mark