%$&*ing Property Taxes
 

Got my property (aka "luxury") tax bill from the d-bag Santa Clara County ASSessor today. They raised the assessed value of the boat by $1200 over what it was last year. Are those of you "lucky" enough to live in CA seeing the same thing? I hate this stupid state, or at least the money-hungry government.

Sorry. At least they call it a tax. I especially hate all of the taxes under the guise of "inspection"', "registration", "title transfer", "license"' other misc "fees" etc. etc. etc.

Two ways to get around that. Get the heck out of California for one, it's probably the worst state in the union so far as socialist tree hugging yuppies taxing the daylights out of everything. Alternatively, for those states that tax your possessions, cars, boats, etc... Only have really old stuff. Methinks you need to get rid of your new boat and get something at least from the 80s if not earlier (I know, everything 70s has no freeboard and closed bow). Then "vandalize" it a bit, scratch the hell out of the gel, cut whatever's left of the interior, use lawn chairs for seats, rusty steel pipe for a tower/pylon. Then instead of raising your assessed value by $1200, they might just put it at $1200... If that. If you want to live in a socialist state, you can't have nice things, or at least things that appear nice.

Another reason I have no interest in living in The People's Republic of Kalifornia.

Strict emissions testing + awful taxes + earthquakes + high cost of living + extreme mismangement by the state gov't = no thanks. Land, lakes, and weather look nice there though...

Between my house, boat, truck, camper, car, wife's truck, and other vehicles that I've owned and sold over the year I'm probably out around $3,500 this year in property taxes. Next year I'll have to pay just as much. The boat alone cost me $550/year in tax, plus insurance.

I know exactly how you feel....

Cory, amen to that. We're actually relocating to the DFW area at the end of the year, so it will be a welcome change. I grew up in San Jose, and loved it, but in the last 10-15 years, it's nothing like what it was when I was a kid. Total shame.

I just don't understand how an assessor can actually RAISE the value of a depreciating asset. I'm going to try and fight it, but my guess is that that I won't get too far.

Come on to Florida guys. Poor mans paradise.

Wait, $3500 INCLUDING your house? That's not a whole lot to be honest. I pay $2700/year in property tax on my rental (valued @ 117k), and $5000 on my home (much nicer home in a far nicer area, yet the tax rates are lower - go figure).

If that includes your house, I'll pay all of these taxes on stuff I own if it means my overall tax output is less.

Dude I was bitching cause I had to pay $2300 in sales tax when I bought my boat, but thats only a one time deal. I can't believe that these dudes tax your possessions each year! thats crazy to me.

Tony you can write the assesors office and get the value lowered no problem. I'm in Santa Clara County too and I've got my assesed tax value on an 06 VLX down to $16,000... I wrote them a letter last year and they lowered it more then I asked. I just told them the value they're using doesn't represent the condition of the vessel nor how soft the secondary market is... Worked like a charm! Just got my bill in the mail yesterday it does suck but at least its not due tell August 31st!

Robert, I'll certainly do that. I think I've seen your boat out at Anderson before...or maybe I'm mistaken. Either way, thanks for the tip!

Just register your boat in AZ as a non resident, just leave the trailer registered here in CA. I've never had a problem. I have to say, one can call me a tree hugging hippie all you want, but I'll take the higher taxes and cost of living to breath clean air, and have the luxury of beautifal weather 99% of the time. You could move to NJ, but that's not even giving your kids a fighting chance. Do you want your kids to end up like snooky?

Dave, I love the natural wonders that CA has to offer, especially Tahoe and Yosemite. Beyond that, I can't stand it anymore. That's why we're moving to TX--my wife happens to be from there and my entire work team is there as well so it works out. Weather isn't what we normally get in CA, but then again, CA's weather hasn't been too great this year until a couple weeks ago.

Being Italian, I loathe anything Jersey Shore. Definitely do not want anything to do with that bunch. :eek:

Then I think you need a bigger boat. Everything is bigger in Texas :D

Yeah, Tony I frequent Anderson alot, however lately I've been taking a friends Centurion out there and leaving my boat down at Naci! By the way, you can't register a boat out of state or even in any county south of San Luis Obispo and launch at any Santa Clara County lake. Its part of there mussel prevention inspections. If you have a boat registered anywhere other then northern california you can't use our lakes... It sucks but just the way it is out here!