Florida sales tax

[merrick4]

As I have some time while my truck is in the shop I went by the office that takes care of my IFTA returns under the pretext of dropping off some form. I like going by there as I always can learn something.

Anyway apparently in Florida (and maybe in other states) when we buy trucks or trailers we don't have to pay the sales tax up front (wish I knew that in the first place).

Basically we have to get a sales and use tax certificate number and then file an Application for self-accural authority/Direct pay permit sales and use tax.

Basically what it boils down to is we only have to pay sales tax on the percentage of use in Florida. You need to be under Common authority too not Contract authority. She was telling me that my friend has lost many thousands of dollars because he doesn't want to get his common authority. She said a lot of the old timers won't do it.

Anyway, instead of the thousands I paid in sales tax I could have paid a couple of hundred at the most.

Not sure if this has been mentioned before but I myself never heard of it so thought I'd pass it along.

[GMAN]

Some states will exempt carriers from any sales tax on class 8 equipment. You just need to fill out a form with your MC number.

[merrick4]

You know GMAN, now that I think of it I think I recall you mentioned that before. I wish I didn't forget it as I paid several thousands in sales tax

[sidman82]

In NY as long as the truck is over 26,000lbs you are exempt from paying sales tax. :P I didn't know that untill I went to title my truck. I had a check ready to pay, and the lady behind the counter said it is your lucky day.

[GMAN]

I may have mentioned it before. Some states offer it, others do not. It is a good idea to check before applying for your title. If you can title it in a state which has the exemption, it would pay you to do take advantage of it.

[geomon]

Is there a place online to check which states do and do not offer the exemption?

[GMAN]

You could probably go to each state's website and find the information you need. A friend of mine tagged his vehicles in Washington State rather than Nevada or California due to the exemption. Georgia charges sales tax, Tennessee doesn't. Oklahoma has the exemption. I don't recall some of the others. I would say that most of the higher tax states, such as NJ would not have the exemption. I am surprised that NY has an exemption. They haven't seen a tax that they don't like. :wink:

[mike3fan]

Michigan has the exemption if you run more than 10% of your miles outside of MI.

When I bought my last truck I was working local and paid the sales tax,well after about a year I started back OTR and I never(didn't think about it) changed my status,maybe I could have gotten the tax taken off the payment?

[RostyC]

Maryland has the exemption, but I don't know the details.......yet. I'll let you know.

[merrick4]

Michigan has the exemption if you run more than 10% of your miles outside of MI.

When I bought my last truck I was working local and paid the sales tax,well after about a year I started back OTR and I never(didn't think about it) changed my status,maybe I could have gotten the tax taken off the payment?

Don't quote me on it but I don't think you can undo the sales tax. When you say get the tax off the payment, I assume you are still making payments. But that is to the finance company, the sales tax has already been paid I'm sure. I have only had the truck a few months and was told that it was too late to undo it. I think it has to do with when you apply for the title.

[no_worries]

You're exempt in CA if you take delivery of the equipment outside of the state and run more than 50% of your first-year miles outside of CA.

[tweety bird]

I thought when you bought a truck period there was no sales tax- you pay FET. I've only bought a truck in Ohio, though. So maybe some states charge sales tax in addition to the FET on a truck purchase?

Now on parts for truck, some states have sales tax exemptions- like when you buy tires or if you have work done. We always try to buy in a state that gives truckers a sales tax exemption.

Sales Tax Exemption Article

[tweety bird]

I did a little searching in Florida tax law and- this has nothing to do with purchasing a truck- but as far as parts go, it looks like we truckers don't get a break in the Sunshine State.

Florida Tax Exempt pdf