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Florida boat registration
- Thread starter takukla
- Start date
Sunbeam":1l24v6yk said:I mentioned this in your other thread as well, but boats are typically registered/titled in state of principal use. This is not necessarily the state you live in (unless the two things coincide). For the use you describe then you'd register in Florida.
Although this is generally true, there can be exceptions. The Key is "principle use", vs where the boat is kept the majority of the year. This is especially true for trailer boats, kept in a storage lot. I have know of issues like this in some of the NE states, and in Calif. I believe it has also has been an issue in the NW. Tax collectors have employees who prowl the storage lots and marinas looking for out of state boats. They then want the personal property tax and registration fees--for example I kept a boat in Calif. However never used it in Calif, but used in Lake Powell, and in PNW. It happened to be documented, so no Calif. Reg. No worry, the tax collector found the boat. (Calif. does not require documented boats to be state registered as some states do)
The Cal 46 we kept in Sequim 5 months out of the year, but used in BC, and AK, 7 months out of the year. Washington wanted tax on the boat.
Florida as I noted above, requires registration in Florida, if you have the boat in the FL waters over 90 days. (Even if a documented vessel in another state, or the vessel is used the other 270 days out of Florida. )
Our current C Dory 22, is used more time in at Lake Powell and the PNW, but spends more time in storage in our yard in Florida, thus a Florida Registered boat.
Thataway,
You bring up good points. Maybe instead of "typically," I should have said "oftentimes." I know that Virginia didn't even want to SEE my boat registration, since I wasn't going to be keeping it there or using it there (even though I lived there at the time). Right on the application form, they discussed principal use, etc. But each state is a little different.
In this case Florida does seem like the clear-cut answer.
You bring up good points. Maybe instead of "typically," I should have said "oftentimes." I know that Virginia didn't even want to SEE my boat registration, since I wasn't going to be keeping it there or using it there (even though I lived there at the time). Right on the application form, they discussed principal use, etc. But each state is a little different.
In this case Florida does seem like the clear-cut answer.
We bought a boat and have retirement home in Florida, and are Indiana residents. We kept registration in Florida and paid taxes on the sale and transferred the registration. one reason the boat didn't come with the trailer, didn't want to buy one and drove it home on the IcW to Charlotte Harbor. We felt this was best option for us
Bob&Alicia
New member
Don't forget about sales tax in Florida. You have to pay that on the boat, maybe not the motor and contents if itemized on bill of sale. Not sure if Illinois is a sales tax or personal property tax state. FLHSMV.GOV has registration costs and links to tax assessor offices.
I live in GA, which charges personal property tax on boats each year. $35,000 (actual assessed value) will cost you $400 per year plus about $100 more every 3 to register it. Alabama charges sales tax one time. Rate is 4%. Then every year about $35 to register it. I think FL is more like AL.
There is a lot of grey area here and it may pay to figure all of the angles out. I had a spreadsheet to track if I should register the c-dory in FL,GA, or AL. Currently it is in Destin but spent time in Orange Beach AL and will be trailered to my home in GA.
I just bought her in September and just got around to figuring all this out. Don't get me started on where to register a trailer.
I live in GA, which charges personal property tax on boats each year. $35,000 (actual assessed value) will cost you $400 per year plus about $100 more every 3 to register it. Alabama charges sales tax one time. Rate is 4%. Then every year about $35 to register it. I think FL is more like AL.
There is a lot of grey area here and it may pay to figure all of the angles out. I had a spreadsheet to track if I should register the c-dory in FL,GA, or AL. Currently it is in Destin but spent time in Orange Beach AL and will be trailered to my home in GA.
I just bought her in September and just got around to figuring all this out. Don't get me started on where to register a trailer.
Since you are registering the boat in Florida, you are best off titling the boat in FL. You are going to have to pay 6% state sales tax (some counties tack on their amount over the base state tax, on the first $5,000 of the price of the boat.) If buying from a private party, list the boat, motor and trailer on separate bills of sale. You only pay sales tax on the boat, not the motor. The registration of the trailer is separate, if there is a trailer. Thru a dealer you will pay sales tax on the whole price.
At one time the FMP (FWLC) were stopping boats near the Alabama and GA borders, asking for state registrations--and stating you needed FL registration if you stayed more than 90 days. There is also a Sojourner's permit--but that is mostly for larger documented vessels. In any case, if you paid less tax than the Fl. tax in another state, they will tack the additional tax on. The exception is if you have bought and used the boat for more than 6 months out of the state of FL.
Information: tax information here
At one time the FMP (FWLC) were stopping boats near the Alabama and GA borders, asking for state registrations--and stating you needed FL registration if you stayed more than 90 days. There is also a Sojourner's permit--but that is mostly for larger documented vessels. In any case, if you paid less tax than the Fl. tax in another state, they will tack the additional tax on. The exception is if you have bought and used the boat for more than 6 months out of the state of FL.
Information: tax information here