Buying a new car is an exciting adventure, but if you’re planning to buy one out of state, you need to be prepared for it. It’s one thing to find a good deal and buy a car out-of-state, but it’s another to have the new car delivered to the garage. Buying a car across states can help you get a better deal, but the process may be different than buying a car in your state.
Buying a car out of state is very similar to buying a car from a local dealership, with a few exceptions. While it may be tempting to buy a car in a state with little or no sales tax, you won’t save money by doing so as you will have to pay sales tax in your home state. Other financial issues may arise when purchasing new or used vehicles out of state, such as the impact of the local and provincial taxes you purchase the vehicle on on your bottom line. Buying a car out of state comes with financial risks, from fraud and local taxes to temporary registration and the cost of transporting the car home.
Buying an out-of-state car may require some extra work, but shopping is also a great way to find the car that best suits your needs. Buying a used car always requires careful planning and consideration, but it’s more difficult if it’s done remotely. Since the cost of different cars can vary, it’s a good idea to check your auto policy, even if you’re buying a used car out of state. When it comes to auto insurance, when you buy a new car out of state, you may be able to transfer your current auto policy to the new car.
Most states require you to prove that you have purchased auto insurance or are self-insured before you can own and register and legally drive a vehicle. Speaking of vehicle registration, depending on the regulations of the states involved in purchasing the vehicle, it may be necessary to obtain a temporary registration for the vehicle just to take it home. In either case, you will need to pay for the new ownership and registration of your vehicle, sometimes as little as 30 days after you deliver your vehicle to your home state. If you plan to drive in your home state, you will need to get a temporary registration so you can drive earlier.
Note that you may be required to provide a Vehicle Identification Number or VIN Verification form when registering your vehicle in your home state to ensure your vehicle has not been stolen. Typically, you will need to pay the applicable state sales tax before you can register the vehicle. In many states, if you immediately return your vehicle to another state, you won’t have to pay sales tax, just pay the appropriate tax when you register the vehicle and file for title in your state. While buying a car in another state may seem like a hassle, you still have to pay these fees to register your car and own it in your home state.
If you plan to ship the vehicle back to your home state after making the purchase, most of the tax-free savings can be offset by the transfer fee. However, if the purchase is made across the country, shipping the car may negate any potential savings you earn from buying a car out of state. If you are considering buying a car in a state with no sales tax (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, or Oregon), you can only get these savings if you register your car in that state.
Generally, you are responsible for paying sales tax at your primary residence, although state rules vary. If you buy a car from a dealership, they will likely collect state taxes on the spot and you will have to change that when you visit the DMV at home. Dealers will calculate your taxes and provide all paperwork required for signing, but you may have to complete and complete the necessary checks in your state.
If you’re buying from a private seller, you’ll need to do this complicated DMV business dance in both your home state and the state where you’re buying your vehicle, mostly on your own. If you are purchasing from a more remote state, or if the dealership does not offer to pay registration fees and money orders for you, you should contact the dealership’s title department to see if they can help you with the steps you will need to take to return . your state of origin. The dealership may also charge you the correct sales tax for your state of residence and send it to the appropriate government agency on your behalf.
You will want to learn the details of your status; Sales tax may be paid, for example, when applying for a vehicle license. To avoid nasty surprises, it’s best to do your homework and contact out-of-state DMVs to find out how you’ll be liable to pay taxes, titles, etc. after purchasing a new out-of-state vehicle. Also, the paperwork required to buy a car out of state is usually more difficult than when buying a car in your state.
When a car arrives in purchase condition, you usually have time, perhaps up to 30 days, to register it. Some states offer a “driving permit” that allows you to drive an unregistered car for a few days, enough time to take it home and register it. If you pick up your vehicle from a dealership, you must pay California sales tax and we will provide you with a one-sided sticker that allows you to go directly to the dealership overseas, which will reduce the registration fee.
