Insane CA DMV Registration Tax

[eljefino]

You guys in the US (in some states?) pay an annual (?) vehicle registraion fee that's based on the vehicle value? That's crazy. I don't get why some of these comments bring real estate property tax into the discussion.

My registration breaks down to a $35 flat fee to the state, then a mill rate based on year based on MSRP that goes to the town. The town puts that money in the "road fund" or so they say. My town also taxes my real estate and sends that money off to miscellaneous stuff, but it's like 78% schools.

TBH I'd rather have a bunch of "little" taxes than one big one, seems more fair.

 

[John105]

Was expecting something insane. Calif had $540 red light cam tix, so the fee didn't strike me as such.

Aren't we forgetting that MA/CT/VA/NH charge for lack of the official term, annual property taxes on vehicles, that exceed the number shown? Here in PA it's gone up from $38 to $50 which I think is not justified, but with so many vehicles driving around unregistered in Phila., I can see the need to recoup revenue that's been lost.

 

[John105]

Some people love giving away money to the government..

Who? Or do you mean that some people simply follow the rules set before them, fair or not? Sometimes I think that there's a belief that people who cheat, don't like to give away their money, and people that follow the rules, do....but I don't think so

 

[RDY4WAR]

It's California. What do you expect?

 

[gfh77665]

Our registration includes property tax. $500 is not a lot for 2021 Highlander Hybrid.
I own property in San Diego and for example real estate tax is cheaper than my property in Colorado and especially one in Chicago. Cheaper as % of value.
CA gained population last year as a lot of people realized that grass is not always greener on other side.

Where did the population gain come from? Greener grass is norte?

 

[Deamos]

$2,085 in personal property tax for a 2021 Suburban and a 2023 Tesla Model Y here plus whatever registration is, $30 a year or so, plus another $110 for the EV sticker. It’ll go up next year when the 2024 Yukon XL hits as the replacement for the Burb.


View attachment 251230

Yep, my property tax bill for the last few years on my CX5. Missouri is an expensive state to own a vehicle.

2021: 704
2022: 843 (thanks to the insane prices of used cars around this time)
2023: 720
2024: 635

 

[edyvw]

Where did the population gain come from? Greener grass is norte?

Like any state you have people moving in and out. This time more moved in. A lot of people returned. This is not first time CA is experiencing population shifts.
There are a lot of different variables including birth rates returning to long term trends.

 

[andrew_j]

Thankfully NH it starts very expensive more then that however it seems flatten after 5 years around $100 ish/year town and state. Depends on vehicle weight for terminal amount.

 

[SumGuy]

My registration breaks down to a $35 flat fee to the state, then a mill rate based on year based on MSRP that goes to the town. The town puts that money in the "road fund" or so they say. My town also taxes my real estate and sends that money off to miscellaneous stuff, but it's like 78% schools.

TBH I'd rather have a bunch of "little" taxes than one big one, seems more fair.

Wow, that is a totally foreign concept for this northern caveman.

Your local gov't gets to nail you for car registration taxes. Unpossible up here. Another benefit we have here in Ontario - no car safety checks / certifications while you own the car. Buying a used car - yes, it needs a safety check. But once you get it done, no yearly or bi-annual checks. For the past 15 years we've had emissions testing on a bi-annual basis (ie not before year 2k) but now they've ended for passenger cars a few years ago.

The extent that my local (city) gov't reaches into my pocket begins and ends with my property tax, which is about $5k per year (50-50 city-services/schools) for a 2k sq ft 2-story detached with 2-car garage on about 1/3 acre (pie-shaped lot on a court). Recent nearby sales put its value at $750 - $850k.

 

[Delta]

I think every state will get you one way or another. My vehicles registration and inspection fees aren't terrible here in Pennsylvania, but my property taxes for my small rancher and half acre are flat out through the roof.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Where did the population gain come from? Greener grass is norte?

Remember, CA is a huge land mass with numerous industries. Agriculture, tech, tourism, education, BioScience, entertainment, construction and even manufacturing.

So the top level population number can fluctuate for many reasons. We are a huge economic engine.
I tell people if you can't make it here you can't make it anywhere.

 

[Nessism1]

Your dad is under prop 13 which limits the % property tax increases each year. Most homeowners in CA aren’t under prop 13 and pay ~ 1% assessed value per year which fluctuates wildly. Prop 13 needs to be repealed as it is discriminatory and unfair.

Worst comment ever! Prop 13 allows people to stay in their homes as they age. I bought my home about 15 years ago, and I pay $6500/year + Bond measure fees = $7700/year. This, for a POS 1250 sqft home that needs a lot of WORK and $ to fix up. If the Dem politicians had their way, I'd be paying $15,000/year. Just idiotic. My parents bought a house in 1979. Greatly appreciated since, and since my dad is gone, my mom's responsibility. She is living on social security. If it wasn't for Prop 13, prop taxes would be $17,000/year, or something close. Discriminatory and unfair? ***!

 

[JeffKeryk]

Your dad is under prop 13 which limits the % property tax increases each year. Most homeowners in CA aren’t under prop 13 and pay ~ 1% assessed value per year which fluctuates wildly. Prop 13 needs to be repealed as it is discriminatory and unfair.

Before prop 13, Jarvis Gann in 1978, people were being forced out of their homes due to tax increases from reassements. Something had to be done.

 

[SevenBizzos]

Your dad is under prop 13 which limits the % property tax increases each year. Most homeowners in CA aren’t under prop 13 and pay ~ 1% assessed value per year which fluctuates wildly. Prop 13 needs to be repealed as it is discriminatory and unfair.

Gosh, I would take 1% any day. It's been a high as 4%, but currently is around 3.3%. It just went up over $800 and a new referendum passed for the school district kicks in next year, so I'd guess another $800 increase. I know a few people that have been taxed out of their homes. It's sad. Give me that 1%

 

[Shel_B]

2011 Camry, $154.00. It's been that rate for 2 - 3 years.

 

[hank2]

PA. passenger car tags are $45/yr. Motorcycles $24. Pickups are $77 to $202/yr depending on GVWR. Plus $5 to your county on any of them. No vehicle property tax. Road fuel taxes are on the top of the heap. School district, county and municipal property taxes are very bad in many areas.

 

[wemay]

I can’t see you signature on the phone.
But, OK.

Try turning your phone sideways. It works for me that way.

 

[RDY4WAR]

Worst comment ever! Prop 13 allows people to stay in their homes as they age. I bought my home about 15 years ago, and I pay $6500/year + Bond measure fees = $7700/year. This, for a POS 1250 sqft home that needs a lot of WORK and $ to fix up. If the Dem politicians had their way, I'd be paying $15,000/year. Just idiotic. My parents bought a house in 1979. Greatly appreciated since, and since my dad is gone, my mom's responsibility. She is living on social security. If it wasn't for Prop 13, prop taxes would be $17,000/year, or something close. Discriminatory and unfair? ***!

This is appalling to me. I have a 2200 sqft home, plus a 625 sqft detached garage, on 1.5 acres in South Carolina. My property tax this year is $578.

 

[KrisZ]

The registration fee goes down as the vehicle ages and looses its value. I remember paying around $70 for my old Mazda 3 and between $100-120 for the Grand Caravan.

With the exception of gas prices, all other vehicle expenses else like insurance, registration, emissions, etc. were very reasonable IMO.

 

[Lockasiam]

I can’t see you signature on the phone.
But, OK.

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