Buying a new car out of state,how will registration work?
I'm a California resident but I will be in Arizona for about a year due to some work related business.I currently looking at a new car,dodge challenger,and would like to know how the registration process would work. Would I have to pay for both registration and tax for both states when I buy the car?OR will i just pay the sales tax for Arizona and then only pay the registration fees for California since it will have California plates.
I'm new at this so any feed back will be helpful.
2017-11-24T06:07:55Z
I will be moving back to California with the vehicle at the end of the year,end of December.I want to get the vehicle in Arizona since it saves me the time it would take to driving to California to buy it and then coming back to keep working.I don't plan on becoming a resident since I have not been in Arizona for too long.
Anonymous2017-11-24T11:06:35Z
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No you don't pay both states. You pay the state of your residence and your residence seems NOT to be California but Arizona based on your statement that you are living and working there. If you get a Az. title and plates (registration) then when/if you move back to California you will have to get a California title and plates. (but you won't have to pay sales tax again).
Remember.....You can be a resident of only ONE state at the same time.
If you buy a new car that doesn't meet California's unique emissions requirements (in other words, a car made to meet the requirements of the other 49 states) while you are a California resident, then you can never register it or get California plates. You will have to sell (or give) it to someone who isn't a California resident.
To avoid problems, either buy a car in California or do whatever paperwork is necessary to become an Arizona resident.
Unless you can provide proof that this is only a temporary assignment. it will need to be registered and licensed in AZ and you'll pay AZ sales tax. You'll also need an AZ drivers license within 30 days. If it's definitely only temporary and you have proof of that, you can register it in CA and pay CA sales tax instead, but again, you'd have to take delivery out of state AND you'll need the CA smog certificate. .
Your answer would depend on where you are claiming residency, CA or AZ. You can only title, register and insure an automobile within your state of permanent residence. If you do indeed plan on keeping your CA residency that is the only state where the Dodge can be titled, registered and insured. If you go this route you would only pay AZ tax on the vehicle and title and registration fees in CA.