Aug
30
Is it cheaper to buy a car in the state you want to register it in?
Filed Under Cars and Transportation
I am going to school in Arizona but I live in California and thats where all my taxes and my current car is registered. Also where I would like the new car registered. Will it cost me any more to buy my car in Arizona and register it in California? Lets say the cars cost exactly the same.
Answer:
If you buy and register the car in Arizona you will pay tax once in AZ as well as AZ registration fees. When you bring the car to CA, you won’t be charged tax again, but you will need to pay for CA registration. And CA won’t give you a refund on the AZ Registration fees you paid in AZ. You will fill out a form asking if you already paid tax and how much you paid…Form 343-see below Also check that the car conforms to California regulations for emission Most cars do. But some are manufactured only to meet Federal emission standards which are more lenient than California standards. There is an emissions label inside the door and under the hood. If you find a good deal in AZ, buy it. The Tax rate varies from county to county. So you need to do a little research on that. will you be financing or purchasing outright? If the lender is in AZ but you want a CA registration, then the car is a “goldenrod” meaning no CA title will be issued, just CA plates and CA registration.