Nick14
Guru
We're about to move to Portland OR and are bringing our boat with us from the east coast, and I've been wrestling with trying to figure out how to be able to spend as much time cruising Puget Sound without running into the rapacious Washington state tax.
In reviewing the information on-line, it seems that a 60 day temporary use permit is possible. But, is my understanding correct that this can be renewed twice, to allow up to 6 months of use on Washington waters in any 12 month period:
Use of Vessels in Washington by Nonresidents – Use Tax Chapter 82.12 RCW
Both domestic and foreign nonresidents may use their vessels in Washington for up to 60 days during any continuous 12-month period without incurring a use tax liability. RCW 82.12.0251(1).
Domestic nonresident individuals may use their vessels in Washington for up to 6 months during any continuous 12-month period without incurring a use tax liability. To qualify for this six-month exemption period, the watercraft must be issued a valid number under federal law or by an approved authority of the state of principal operation, be documented under the laws of a foreign country, or have a valid United States customs service cruising license. The watercraft must also satisfy all identification requirements under RCW 88.02.030 for any period after the first sixty days. Failure to meet the applicable documentation and identification requirements will result in a loss of the exemption.
A use tax exemption is also available to domestic and foreign nonresident individuals who acquired a vessel of 30 feet or longer outside Washington and purchase a one-year use permit from a licensed vessel dealer within 14 days of first entering the state with the vessel. The vessel must be removed from this state before the use permit expires and may not return to this state for 24 months after the expiration of the use permit. RCW 82.12.700.
If this is the case, and it's possible for an out-of-state resident to get up to 6 months of use in Washington without incurring the wrath of the tax demons, it opens up possibilities of keeping our boat on Puget Sound for half the year, and then bringing it back home to Portland for the rest of the time.
Does anyone here have any experience doing this, or first-hand knowledge of these regulations?
Thank you!
In reviewing the information on-line, it seems that a 60 day temporary use permit is possible. But, is my understanding correct that this can be renewed twice, to allow up to 6 months of use on Washington waters in any 12 month period:
Use of Vessels in Washington by Nonresidents – Use Tax Chapter 82.12 RCW
Both domestic and foreign nonresidents may use their vessels in Washington for up to 60 days during any continuous 12-month period without incurring a use tax liability. RCW 82.12.0251(1).
Domestic nonresident individuals may use their vessels in Washington for up to 6 months during any continuous 12-month period without incurring a use tax liability. To qualify for this six-month exemption period, the watercraft must be issued a valid number under federal law or by an approved authority of the state of principal operation, be documented under the laws of a foreign country, or have a valid United States customs service cruising license. The watercraft must also satisfy all identification requirements under RCW 88.02.030 for any period after the first sixty days. Failure to meet the applicable documentation and identification requirements will result in a loss of the exemption.
A use tax exemption is also available to domestic and foreign nonresident individuals who acquired a vessel of 30 feet or longer outside Washington and purchase a one-year use permit from a licensed vessel dealer within 14 days of first entering the state with the vessel. The vessel must be removed from this state before the use permit expires and may not return to this state for 24 months after the expiration of the use permit. RCW 82.12.700.
If this is the case, and it's possible for an out-of-state resident to get up to 6 months of use in Washington without incurring the wrath of the tax demons, it opens up possibilities of keeping our boat on Puget Sound for half the year, and then bringing it back home to Portland for the rest of the time.
Does anyone here have any experience doing this, or first-hand knowledge of these regulations?
Thank you!