Powder Keg
= BOOOM --- RANT RANT RANT
So -- CA sales Tax = 9.25% as of 4-1-2009 (no joke) . ---with that said, at least we still do not live in England, where you can tax a tax. --
(HAHAHAHAH)
However, a few CA points ;
1. CA DMV is ACTIVE in the task of looking at "older cars" and older registrations, that are paying little or no registry tax / DMV investigators are actively at car shows and take photos like everyone else.
2. CA DMV is ACTIVELY working with the attorney generals office (Jerry Brown your friend who wants to be Governor again in 2010 )
----and they have and are currently invalidating the titles issued by other states *if* they suspect a title wash or a VIN transfer to a newly generated chassis. (search for "titles-unlimited")
3. CA DMV is under pressure to pay for itself and contribute significantly to the general fund.
--they (DMV representatives ) conjecture that $100M/yr in DMV fees are not paid by Californians due to under-reporting the actual amount paid for the car, accessories and subsequent math processes.
4. CA BOE (board of equalization) has actively pursued and continues to pursue ebay to get them to report CA users purchasing histories, and CA sellers sales histories. --IMHO ; this is Why Meg Whitman left. (BTW: She ALSO wants to be CA Governor in 2010--Sheesh. )
Dont get caught in a Sales tax based legal beef with the State of CA. -you may win in the short term, but it will still cost you in time and frustration.
Expect to pay 9.25% in some form at some time to get your car legally registered plus 2%-4% other fees.
Sad But True--
SEMA has a bad rep with CA senators , and congress. -- what (who) they need to hear from are good honest hard working regular people.
--now that makes a difference.
--Steve
PS: sorry for the soap box, but between facing off between the Yakuza and the CA state tax dudes. . . i would take the yakuza.