Register tractor out of state?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by jyhm, Sep 10, 2014.

  1. jyhm

    jyhm Light Load Member

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    I live in a state that is mental (CT) when it comes to registering a semi. I know I can register a trailer in Maine pretty easy but I'd like to register my tractor out of state to avoid hassle and property taxes all together. What is the best route? Is their a company that can do it for me like there are for Maine Trailers?


    I own my truck and trailer and it's parked for now. I used to lease to a company as of July but I used their plate and authority. I plan on leasing with another company but using my own base plates but I'm looking for an easier and cheaper state.

    ive been trying to research this myself and not sure which direction to dig. Any enlightenment is appreciated thanks!:biggrin_25514:
     
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  3. vikingswen

    vikingswen Road Train Member

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    Why not call a service that does licensing for living. OOIDA 855-652-3446, NASTC 800-264-8580 or American Alliance 909-982-9898 come to mind and there are plenty of smaller local outfits. I imagine you should get an answer to your question for free.
     
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  4. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    As long as you have a physical presence in a state, you can plate there. That requires a piece of property with an address, phone number, etc...

    If you don't have a physical presence in a state, you aren't supposed to be able to plate there. Several years ago states started making a big stink over this when they realized companies based in high-tax states were simply base plating elsewhere to avoid those taxes. The big carriers weren't really affected because they have yards and terminals everywhere...but for the little guy, it's a lot tougher to do now.
     
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  5. fuzzeymateo

    fuzzeymateo Heavy Load Member

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    That's exactly right and a PO Box will not cut it. Seems to me you have two options....1) Lease onto a company out of state and run under their base plates or 2) Move to a different state.
     
  6. jyhm

    jyhm Light Load Member

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    Thanks, just curious what's typically the best state for registering a tractor? Fees, property taxes, hassle etc,
     
  7. Pahrump

    Pahrump Medium Load Member

    Yiu had better have a physical address,, a relative but you also better have a CDL in the same state your truck is registered,,if you get caught the penalties can be severe..if you are leased to a company then the tags are theirs,,
    A friend in NV bought a new truck,,leased to CR England,,England registered their truck,,7 years later they left England and went to by tags in their name in NV,,,Since IRP registration in Utah does not have state sales tax and NV did they had to pay sales tax to NV for the original price they paid for the truck, cost them almost $7K plus $2200 for their NV tags. Most states do not collect sales tax on truck with IRP registration,,some do,,some like Ark and Va collect property tax each year too..Illinois and Oklahoma are cheap but don't get caught
     
  8. jyhm

    jyhm Light Load Member

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    Nah I just have been toying with the idea of maybe changing my residence to a tax free state then vacationing with my family in this one. ;)

    New Hampshire is one state I was considering. Close by too so I could renew my license. But if I register in CT will they jack me with sales tax even tho it's paid for already?
     
  9. Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    My understanding is when you register your truck's base plate to operate in say 20 states, then drive in only 15 states, when reregistering your base plate there will be something like a ($100) fee for each state you did not operate your truck/drive in. Keep the number of states you operate in small. Later, your State should be online, where while in route to a State that is not on you registration, if you need to purchase another state for your base plate you can log-in to your States system, pay & print your updated cab registration. (after hours)

    Separate issue, is property tax, some states charge a property tax on a semi truck, based on the operating mileage in your state. However, if you do not file a form to notify the taxing jurisdiction how many states you operated in and the percent of overall mileage operated in your base state, they'll tax you as if your an intrastate operator.

    You really have to be quite profitable, in order to have enuff time when working on these issue by yourself.
     
  10. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    Not really but close. There is a minimum amount of miles you need to run in each state you are apportioned in. If you don't run those minimum miles you are charged per mile for the ones you didn't run. My base plate in NH is around $1,200 each year. One year I only ran a small amount in the state and my base plate was $2,400. That's when I started to make sure I ran the minimum in my own state.
     
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  11. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    Most states now require that you furnish a property tax receipt, rent receipt and/or utility bills in your name in order to tag in that state. Years ago we didn't have to prove residency. When they started this I had to prove residency in my state, even though I had bought plates in the state for years. Before making a change, you may check with the state IRP office and see what they require. If you are going to lease to a carrier it would be easier to just use their base plate and let them handle all the paperwork. Most of the major carriers seem to use Illinois, but they also have an agent or office in those states.

    My state doesn't charge sales tax or have property tax on class 8 equipment, but an adjoining state has both. I can't see paying property tax each year on something that has already had tax paid. Kansas has been bad about trying to charge property tax to carriers based upon miles driven in their state and the value of the equipment, whether you have an office or base our of the state or not. I think they changed that this year.

    I read that this is changing next year, but right now if you have states on your IRP where you don't run, you were penalized for not running in those states. According to the article that is supposed to stop. I took a number of high tax states and those where we were not running off my cab cards this year.
     
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