Buying a car in Florida, HELP!!!

ronzara · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 04:22 PM

Maybe someone has a DEFINATE answer to my question.

I won a car on eBay that is on car lot in Florida. I live in South Carolina. When the man sent me the final total, it was about $700 higher (on a $13000 sale) than my final bid. He claims that he has to add sales tax. I said I am not from Florida, and SC requires I pay the sales tax when I register the car in my state. He said all that changed recently and he is required by LAW to charge me. He says I will get a receipt for having paid and my state will not charge me (unless SC sales tax is higher that FL's....in that case I would be liable for the extra %).....
IS HE FULL OF IT AND TRYING TO SCAM ME,.. or is this right???
Thanks
RZ

trs900 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 04:38 PM

He could be right as some states reciprocate with Florida & Fl with them so they won't loose out on getting your money.. it would be easy to find out.. I bought a trailer 3 years ago and had to pay Georgia 4% tax to dealer here in Florida..

Tom Wells · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 04:52 PM

Ron,

Google is your friend

http://www.theautoport.us/taxguide.html

Scroll down a bit and you'll see:

Quote:

SOUTH CAROLINA

5% sales tax rate ($300 maximum).
Credit is allowed by Florida for tax paid in South Carolina.
Credit is allowed by South Carolina for tax paid in Florida.

Tax calculated on sales price of new or used motor vehicle, less
credit for trade-in (maximum $300). Occasional or isolated sales
are NOT exempt. Local taxes authorized.

Read and figure it out. Not sure what the $300 max is?

Tom

Tommy · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 04:57 PM

I didn't take time to read this entire site, but it may hold the answer to your question: Click here.

BTW, several web sites I found with Google noted that the maximum automobile sales tax in SC may be $300.

ENTDOC · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 04:58 PM

I do not think that is correct about having to pay FL tax. SC tax is 300 dollars max, paid when you register your car. Secondly, if he did not state in his EBAY ad about adding tax after the sale , I would walk away, unless he drops it.

ronzara · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 05:14 PM

Thanks guys... I KNEW I could count on you!!!

TOM: I searched google a half a dozen times and didn't find that listing!!!That was EXACTLY what I needed to know.

ENTDOC: The listing had sales tax listed, but I thought that was just for Florida in-state buyers. Turns out FL collects the SC sales tax.... go figure.

Thanks Again and happy motoring!

RZ

SS COBRA · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 05:20 PM

Being a Florida boat dealer and sell boats that are removed from Florida and registered in another state, there is a affivadit for Sales Tax you can complete that states the car is being removed from the Florida and registered in another state. Then you do not pay Florida sales tax. I would tell the dealer that you should complete this form and then provide him with shipping receipts (gas slips if you are picking up the car) or registration in your state.
I can provide you the Fl. form # on Tuesday.

ronzara · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 05:30 PM

Does this include South Carolina Residents???
Looks like some other staes have this reciprocating deal. According to http://www.theautoport.us/taxguide.html
Although I CAN NOT find anything about this on South Carolina's DMV site.
HUMMM??? Makes you wonder!??!

Thanks.
RZ

SS COBRA · #9 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 05:52 PM

If you like, Tuesday I'll have my title clerk call the tag office and get a ruling.

ronzara · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 06:06 PM

That would be GREAT. If they can call me with the info, it would be HIGHLY APPRECIATED.PM me and I'll give you my cell number. Thanks!

RZ

ronzara · #11 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 06:09 PM

SS COBRA,
I sent you a PM with my cell # thanks!!
RZ

ronzara · #12 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 06:11 PM

SS COBRA,
The car is in Sarasota.
North Trail Auto Mall.
Ever heard of it>>> Anything I should know?? Honesty???
Thanks.
RZ

SS COBRA · #13 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 10:02 PM

No, never heard of them. There are a lot of used car dealers in the Sarasota area. Let me know where they are located and if you'd like I'll check them out.

High-Tide · #14 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 03:45 AM

Buying from a Florida car dealer. If you pick up the car in Florida and drive it away you pay the tax owed to your home State in Florida and are given a tax reciept and the dealer issues a temp tag good for 30 days. A copy of your drivers license and insurance is required. If you have the car transported out of the state you do not pay any tax in Florida. High-Tide

ronzara · #15 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 06:54 AM

SSCOBRA,
That would be great.

North Trail Auto Mall (Tom Walker)
8451 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota FL 34243

They claim, "WE ARE A FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SARASOTA DEALERSHIP , AS YOU CAN SEE WE ARE NEW TO EBAY BUT WE ENJOY GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS HERE IN SARASOTA AND ARE IN GOOD STANDING".

HIGH TIDE; Thanks/

RZ

BDR561 · #16 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 06:56 AM

High-Tide is right on the money... Sales Tax collection for out of state purchases falls on if you are driving it out of state or having it transported. There was no statement of your delivery intent.

ronzara · #17 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 07:15 AM

I am picking it up and driving it home this week. Unless SS COBRA finds out the place is a RIP-OFF LOT!! (fingers crossed they're NOT).

I don't mind paying the sales tax, thats all part of doing business, but I just didn't want to get nailed twice for it. They must've just started doing this within the last couple years. When I bought a car in FT. Lauderdale in 2004 they didn't charge me sale tax. Well, I think we've come to the conclusion I need to pay it and South Carolina will give me a credit for the amount..... Since SC tax is only 5% and FL is 6% I shouldn't owe anything else. hopefully....but you know the DMV...always somethun'!!

RZ

ENTDOC · #18 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 07:24 AM

it still should not be over 300 dollars total, as that is the max SC charges regardless of car cost

ronzara · #19 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 07:41 AM

ENTDOC,
I have is feeling it don't work that way, unfortunately. I will call SC DMV in Columbia Tomorrow to make sure though.

RZ

Don · #20 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 08:10 AM

Ron:

For comparison purposes, I had purchased a vehicle from a dealer in SC and trailered the auto to CT, did not pay any SC sales tax, but did pay the tax in CT to obtain the registration.

SC Dept of Motor Vehicles contact:

By E-mail

help@scdmvonline.com. Our Customer Service Representatives will promptly respond to your e-mail. These emails are answered during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00
pm.

By Telephone

Most questions may be answered by our customer service representatives of the DMV Call Center at (803) 896-5000. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.