The dealers will tell you anything. They are trying to make money:). Wait.... They are making money. I got out of taxes totally because I live in Oregon, but I know for a fact they can not charge you tax on a vehicle that leaves the state with in the time on the trip permit. Get caught in Cali with an expired trip permit or no permit equals an atoumatic tow.

So 300 bucks is probaly not worth the hassle, but let's educate the others..

I hear you. If you can show me something on the CA DMV site or tax assessor's page or something in the tax code stating that... I might look into it. I perused the CA DMV site and couldn't find anything relative to an out of state purchase for a non CA resident in regards to taxes.

As you said it would be nice to let others know and if I can get some clarification on it from someone over there at least we can give other members solid information which has, so far, been elusive. :thumbup:

Edit: Maybe your CPA knows where to find that info? Hah, if it's a matter of just making a few phone calls or something to that county's tax office for a refund... it couldn't hurt.

For sure.

I'll see what I can find out for you.

I'm only speaking from my experience and what I've been told by a California dealer and my "tax man."

OK so my taxman is being so vague because he's on vacation..... and I'm bugging him. Anyway he told me that Texas is going to wan't their tax and that your going to have to fight it, if indeed the taxes taken at the dealer, were for California. He went on to explain that double taxation is against the law. He couldn't give me a direct link, but told me all the laws were here Board of Equalization - State of California

I was told this buy two dealers. They said if I drive it out I need to pay tax, if I truck it out I don't. I also found others on other forums found this to be the case as well.

Edit:
Here is one link that says the same thing
Have to pay sales tax in CA as a Oregon resident? - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

California tax and out of state buyers

Did the others actually purchase out of state?

I don't remember. I went through this a year ago and ended up not buying the car. I updated my post with links containing posts that say the exact same thing.

It's simple really. I've bought 6 cars out of state.

Whether or not you pay taxes at the originating dealer:

• You take your bill of sale to the DMV.
• They see that you've paid taxes (or did not) in the state where you bought the car.
• They take YOUR state's tax rate and apply it against the tax you paid (or didn't).
• You owe the difference between your state's taxes and the state where you bought the car.
• If you paid more, the state owes YOU. You will not get a check that day. Your purchase simply cannot be the first time your state has experienced this. Procedures are in place for exactly what you're doing. It will work out.
• Remember: You may do this only a few times in your life, but the people you are dealing with do this *all the time*. Have some faith.

I work in GA and laws do vary state to state. I just refuse to believe you pay taxes in CA for CA and then will head to TX and be able to register your car without paying TX anything. TX wants their money so either the dealer is sending a check to TX on your behalf or you are going to owe money when it is registered. Certainly from looking online there is a lot of confusion so maybe CA laws are just that much different :dunno: but I'm sure TX wants the money if the car is going to be registered in their state.

Isn't the dealership handling the registration for you for TX? When I bought my x5 it was out of state as well but the dealership handled all that for me...

I did not mean to start a taxation debate and was hoping to get more information when I go to register locally as you say. I "overpayed" since I paid 8.75% and our tax here is 6.25% so I guess I am owed a refund of sorts. But who owes it to me and how I get it I have no idea. Hopefully the County Tax Assessor office can answer that when I go to register. I might do it tomorrow if I can. :dunno: