Boat licensing

[wx_nut]

(X-posted to another list - I would like as much feedback as possible)

I have a question on boat licensing, so mods, if you feel it is necessary, please move my post to a more suitable area.

I recently purchased a boat from a private party that lives in MN. The boat is currently licensed in MN, along with the trailer.

I live in ND. I will be spending about 60% of my time in MN, and 40% of my time in ND, just because of distance. (Hey, fish is fish!) During the spring and summer the boat will spend time at both my house, and also at the lake in MN. During the winter, the boat will be stored and winterized in MN.

I am attempting to get the boat licensed properly, and so far in my calls, I have been told 3 different answers, by 3 different departments.

I talked to the MN DNR, because this is where the boat is currently licensed. When I spoke with them, the person I spoke to told me that I can keep the boat licensed in MN, but I just need to change the title over to my name. All I need to do that is a copy of the bill of sale. I asked if I needed to pay sales taxes, and the person I talked to asked one of his coworkers, and he stated that I did NOT need to pay sales taxes because this is a private party transfer. I was told the total for this would be around $50.

I didn't think this was right, so I called the ND Dept. of Fish and Game.

On the phone with them, I asked about boat licensing. I was told all I needed to do was send in the registration information form from their HSOforum, and the check. The woman on the other line then asked where my boat would spend 51% or more of its time. I told her it would spend about 60% of it's time in MN, and 40% in ND. She then told me I would need to get the boat licensed in MN as it is federal law. I asked about sales taxes, and she stated that because I purchased the boat in MN, I would need to pay MN sales taxes. This didn't seem right either.

So I called the ND DMV.

The ND Dot stated that the boat would need to be licensed in ND, at a cost of $18, and that there is no transfer fee. If I took the boat on the trailer into another state, then I would need to pay a $5 fee to plate it. When I asked about sales taxes, I was told I wouldn't pay any to either state because it was a private party transfer.

I've already got insurance lined up for the boat so that isn't an issue.

I just need to know to who and where I go to get my new boat licensed legally. I don't want to be stopped by a CO from either state and get in deep do-do because I don't have my boat licensed legally.

If anyone can help, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

[Chris Haley]

Do you own property in MN?

[Chris Haley]

In minnesota, If a boat has already been registered the sales tax has been paid. You will not have to pay sales tax here. If you don't own land here, I can't see how they can say you have to register it here however. If you are not paying taxes or living in MN, you are considered a non-resident. Even if you come here every other day, you are still a non-resident.

[wx_nut]

No, I do not. My father does, however the land is not in my name.

[ChuckN]

There is MN 6.5% sales tax on the value of the trailer, and they will ask how much you paid for it in the deal.

Private party sales - no tax on boat.

Dealer sales - taxed regardless new/used.

I don't know what to tell you on the boat registering deal. Personally, I would register it where you claim residency. You just never know where the gov't could play the blame game on tax evasion.

[Chris Haley]

I guess unless you are going to register it in your dad's name, I'd register it in ND where it's cheaper anyway. I can't see any reason that you would get in trouble from anybody. While here, you are just visiting your father. You are still a ND resident, with ND drivers license and evrything. In fact I think you would have a lot of explaining to do if the boat comes up registered to your in MN, but you are a ND resident. In MN if you move you are supposed to transfer licenses within thirty days. So having the two different addresses on your boat a drivers license would cause a CO to spend WAY to much time checking you out.

[Guest]

It doesnt make a difference which state you license it in. If it has a current license, its legal to use on the water in any state. As for the trailer.. Its a Minnesota trailer and it most likely already has a lifetime license on it stuck to the tongue, if it doesnt, I would register it in Minnesota just to get the lifetime license and never worry about it again.

Buy it, register it wherever.. and go fishing. Let THEM worry about it and you worry about catching fish.

The only other thing that might make a difference is your insurance company. Call them and be sure they are not going to have a problem with it being registered in a different state.

[Satchmo]

The trailer is considered a motor vehicle and must be registered in the state that you make your permanant residence. If your home state does not register trailers (ie: Wisconsin), hold on to the current title so you can pass it on when and if you sell it to someone in a state that does. Make sure to remove all license plates or stickers from previous registrations in other states. You generally have to pay sales tax on the trailer when you transfer the title. The boat may be registered in either state without paying sales tax, because it is a private party sale. It would probably be less confusing for officers in the field if the boat were registered in North Dakota along with the trailer. If you choose to register the boat in MN, go through the St. Paul office of the DNR.

[Valv]

Last answer (ND DMV) is not correct.

Boats are not regulated by DMV but DNR instead, any answer they told you is wrong except for trailer (which is regulated by DMV).

I would listen to both DMV offices, they are correct, in my opinion.