Non resident registering a boat in FL?

dribeerfeht

I’m from FL, now living in KS. Dad and I are going to buy a bass boat from my neighbor in KS. It will see use in both FL, KS, and all points in between...but…mostly in KS. Kansas boat taxes and registration fees are ridiculously high. I think we can save money by having it registered in FL. Has anyone done this before? What is required? Thanks.

Roc N Rol

The problem is when it is in KS, most states only allow a boat that is registered in another state to be used for a period of 60 consecutive days or so then it has to be registered in that state or you can no use it until it is or remove it from the state for a period of time. Check your state laws before you register it in fl.

dribeerfeht

I'll have to decipher the laws...Kansas annual property taxes are so high for boats, lots of KS residents register out of state. A study came out and the state legislature is looking to correct it. Interesting article below:


(WICHITA, Kan.) — Voters in Kansas will decide on everything from president to what's in their water on November 6. But did you know, voters will also be asked to vote on lowering tax rates on boats?

A proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution would allow the Legislature to classify and tax watercraft on a different basis than from other property.

A vote for this proposition would permit the legislature to provide for separate classification and taxation of watercraft or to exempt such property from property taxation and impose taxes in lieu thereof.

A vote against this proposition would continue the taxation of watercraft in the same manner as all other property.

The amendment comes in response to a statewide push by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism as well as boat owners and boat sellers, to lower the tax rate on watercraft items.

The tax rate currently stands at 30% of the vessel's value multiplied by the county's mill levy. That can add up to nearly a thousand dollars on a boat that only cost $18,000 to purchase, according to boat salesmen.

State legislators are asking Kansans to vote to change the state constitution this November. The result would be an opportunity to lower taxes on boats and other watercraft, which boaters say would be good news for all Kansans.

The amendment itself is simple. It changes the date and adds the words "and watercraft" to a 1992 state amendment that allowed lawmakers to change how they tax recreational vehicles. RVs are now no longer taxed based on their fair market value, but rather on their age and weight. Boaters hope this new amendment will lead to similar changes for them and say the lower rate would actually bring more money into the state.

"The state's losing out on revenues that they should be getting because boats are either used outside the state or registered outside the state," said boater Gene Nold. "We're having to make it up in other ways."

Nold has been boating for decades and teaches sailing classes at El Dorado Lake. He's not alone in his estimation. According to the state Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism 4,507 boats from Kansas are registered in Oklahoma alone. That's not counting Arkansas and Missouri, the two other popular states among Kansas boaters. They push the boats registered out of state over 10,000.

"We have one of the best manufacturers here, in Cobalt, in Kansas," said Nold, talking about Cobalt Boats in Neodesha, Kansas. "But we have very few Cobalt boats in the state because of the rate of the property taxes."

It's not only hurting the state budget, and the rest of Kansas taxpayers who have to help make up the difference. It's also hurting Kansas businesses that sell, repair or support boats, like marinas and storage facilities. If boats aren't bought here, or don't stay here, those locally owned and operated enterprises can't survive.

That's why state lawmakers put a similar proposal on the ballot in 2000. It failed by less than 12,000 votes. Nold blames a misconception about boating.
"People feel that if they can afford that, a big boat, they can afford the taxes. When it's really the young families that are hurt the worst because they can't afford to get into the sport."

The high taxes can make even the cheapest of boats, the bread and butter of Kansas boating businesses, too expensive to own.

"A very small boat can cost you $3,000 to $5,000. And you will pay $400 to $500 a year in property taxes," added Nold. "That's probably ten times what it would cost you in the surrounding states."

Even if the amendment passes in November, it doesn't guarantee an immediate change in the tax rates. It would just give lawmakers the legal ability to change how boats are taxed. When the RV amendment passed in the 90's it took two years before taxes actually went down.

The state Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism estimates the number of boaters registered and operating in kansas has dropped by more than 15% in the last decade.

The money collected from boat taxes goes into local school budgets and the state building fund, among other accounts.
Voters to decide on Constitutional Amendment.

Roc N Rol

Well it looks like it is an accepted practice there to register it in another state so register it in Fl and save a pile of money. In fl the value is the boat when registering some will get a receipt for the hull, and the trailer and motor on another one. This is for sales tax purpose.

GroundsPounder

Legally, your vessel should be registered in the primary state in which you reside OR in the state which the vessel is primarily kept.

Not sure on the KS laws, but Florida states;

Resident vessels;

328.48 Vessel registration, application, certificate, number, decal, duplicate certificate.—

(2) Each vessel operated, used, or stored on the waters of this state must be registered as a commercial vessel or recreational vessel as defined in s. 327.02, unless it is:
(a) A vessel operated, used, and stored exclusively on private lakes and ponds;

(b) A vessel owned by the United States Government;

(c) A vessel used exclusively as a ship’s lifeboat; or

(d) A non-motor-powered vessel less than 16 feet in length or a non-motor-powered canoe, kayak, racing shell, or rowing scull, regardless of length.

Non-resident vessels;

328.58 Reciprocity of nonresident or alien vessels.—The owner of any vessel already covered by a registration number in full force and effect which has been awarded by:
(1) Another state pursuant to a federally approved numbering system of another state;

(2) The United States Coast Guard in a state without a federally approved numbering system; or

(3) The United States Coast Guard for a federally documented vessel with a valid registration in full force and effect from another state,

shall record the number with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles prior to operating, using, or storing the vessel on the waters of this state in excess of the 90-day reciprocity period provided for in this chapter. Such recordation shall be pursuant to the procedure required for the award of an original registration number, except that no additional or substitute registration number shall be issued if the vessel owner maintains the previously awarded registration number in full force and effect.