Military people who buy cars in Germany "tax free"

then ship them back to the US. Did you know that you have to pay sales tax on the original bill of sale price to register it? I didn't know this and now have to pay $2800 to register my "tax free" car i bought while i was stationed in Germany. Fvcking bullshit i tell you. They really know how to take care of the troops

Anyone know a way around this ****?

Welcome to the club. I don't think there is no way around it. I had to pay $2,500 dollars to register my first BMW. Then we think we getting over when we buy it in Germany. But also I think it all depends on where you rgister your car. Because I looked to register mines in Virginia and they told me 3% of the sales price. Then when I did Maryland they wanted 5% of the sales price. Well all I can say is at least they charge us for the price we paid in Germany and not what it worth in the U.S. And they say support our troops hmmm.

Ammo Chief, what state are you trying to register it in? I plan on going back to AZ or UT and called both DMVs before I purchased. Both told me as long as I showed up with my name on the registration there would be no sales tax. Another Chief friend of mine registered his 530i in AZ (stationed at DM) and paid no sales tax.

Chief K

you get special pricing over everyone else in the states, so why are you complaining?!

Originally Posted by doubleapex

you get special pricing over everyone else in the states, so why are you complaining?!

well whoopty doo, when you register it someone else gets that money you saved on the purchase price

Originally Posted by mkov608

Ammo Chief, what state are you trying to register it in? I plan on going back to AZ or UT and called both DMVs before I purchased. Both told me as long as I showed up with my name on the registration there would be no sales tax. Another Chief friend of mine registered his 530i in AZ (stationed at DM) and paid no sales tax.

Chief K

tried Tennesse, my home of record, and Kansas, where im PCSing to. How did he go about registering it in AZ? Did he have to physically go to AZ to do it?

Originally Posted by AmmoChief

well whoopty doo, when you register it someone else gets that money you saved on the purchase price

in most states everyone else pays sales tax on their cars--so you're still saving more than the average person. so there's your whoopty doo mr. ungrateful.

Originally Posted by doubleapex

in most states everyone else pays sales tax on their cars--so you're still saving more than the average person. so there's your whoopty doo mr. ungrateful.

like i said, not saving anything after you pay sales tax

It is dependent on the state you are registering the car under, the SA should have told you this. For most, it is tax free as long as you've owned the car for x amount of mos overseas and have accumulated a certain # of miles. Think California is 6 mos. Texas is tax free regardless? My SA had a book with all the states' regulations. But yes, it is not much savings if you had to pay taxes. Look on the bright side, you got to drive on the Autobahn. Hit the Nurburgring a few times with it, can't put a price on that experience.

Originally Posted by n1smo

It is dependent on the state you are registering the car under, the SA should have told you this. For most, it is tax free as long as you've owned the car for x amount of mos overseas and have accumulated a certain # of miles. Think California is 6 mos. Texas is tax free regardless? My SA had a book with all the states' regulations. But yes, it is not much savings if you had to pay taxes. Look on the bright side, you got to drive on the Autobahn. Hit the Nurburgring a few times with it, can't put a price on that experience.

i knew i should have chosen Ft Hood over Ft Riley

Originally Posted by AmmoChief

tried Tennesse, my home of record, and Kansas, where im PCSing to. How did he go about registering it in AZ? Did he have to physically go to AZ to do it?

He was assigned to Davis Monthan AFB and registered his 530i when it arrived, so yes he was physically in AZ. If you have a relative in AZ or any other state where you don’t have to pay sales tax you can deed the car over to them and have them register if for you. Then just have them deed it back to you. I did that when I purchased a used boat in Utah (got to pay sales tax on private sales in Utah). I gave the boat to my mom and she registered it in AZ (no tax on private sales in AZ). Then she gave the boat back to me, and I showed up at the Utah DVM with a title with my name on it.