How Oregon residents can save sales tax on out-of-state car purchase

Subscribe
Sep 25, 2014 | 01:09 PM
  #1  
I'm sharing this info for archival purposes in case someone searches for it in the future. I just went through this process, so I know it works at the date of this posting.

--

Tax is determined by the state in which you take possession/devliery of goods. This means if you purchase an out-of-state vehicle and drive it off the lot in that state, you have taken possession/delivery in that state. You must pay taxes for that county/state.

Example: if an OR resident buys a car in CA and drives off the lot, he pays that CA county's sales tax rate. The seller/dealer is required by law to include (collect) tax in the vehicle's Bill of Sale.

The trick for OR residents to save tax (Oregon sales tax rate is 0% for those who don't know) is to buy the car out-of-state and have the vehicle shipped to Oregon. Do not drive off the lot. By shipping the vehicle, you are taking possession/delivery in Oregon and are required to pay Oregon sales taxes (0%). The out-of-state dealer will not collect taxes from you, and they will list on their DMV forms that this is a sale where the vehicle will be transported to Oregon.

In the Example above, CA Sales Tax is governed by the California Board of Equalization (BOE) under Regulation 1620. Link:
http://www.boe.ca.gov/lawguides/busi...sutr/1620.html

Here's the BOE's specific statement from that Resolution.

Quote:
(B) From Other States—When Sales Tax Does Not Apply. Sales tax does not apply when the order is sent by the purchaser directly to the retailer at a point outside this state, or to an agent of the retailer in this state, and the property is shipped to the purchaser, pursuant to the contract of sale, from a point outside this state directly to the purchaser in this state, or to the retailer's agent in this state for delivery to the purchaser in this state, provided there is no participation whatever in the transaction by any local branch, office, outlet or other place of business of the retailer or by any agent of the retailer having any connection with such branch, office, outlet, or place of business.
If anyone has questions about this, please PM me. I'll be glad to help. I'm not a lawyer; just FYI.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2014 | 01:37 PM
  #2  
I wonder to what other states this applies, very good information I was wondering about that. I did the same with my car where I bought it out of California and took possession of it here in Colorado, don't quite remember if I payed double tax or not.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2014 | 06:42 PM
  #3  
Interesting information. I was led to believe that you pay tax on the vehicle based on address where it is registered.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2014 | 06:46 PM
  #4  
Quote: Interesting information. I was led to believe that you pay tax on the vehicle based on address where it is registered.
This is what I came into the situation believing before I researched it. The confusing part is that your statement is true if and only if the following occurs:

1. You are a resident of a county/state that has sales tax > 0%. Let's take CA for example.

2. You visit Oregon (state with 0% tax) and purchase a vehicle. You don't pay tax at the time of purchase.

3. When you take the vehicle back to CA and register it, CA will charge you tax on the vehicle, even though you purchased in OR.

This ensures people can't just buy a vehicle from a state where there is no tax and bring it back to their resident state.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2014 | 06:56 PM
  #5  
Quote: This is what I came into the situation believing before I researched it. The confusing part is that your statement is true if and only if the following occurs:

1. You are a resident of a county/state that has sales tax > 0%. Let's take CA for example.

2. You visit Oregon (state with 0% tax) and purchase a vehicle. You don't pay tax at the time of purchase.

3. When you take the vehicle back to CA and register it, CA will charge you tax on the vehicle, even though you purchased in OR.

This ensures people can't just buy a vehicle from a state where there is no tax and bring it back to their resident state.
I do live in CA so I guess that's why I was told that.
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE