MA registration/Tax

[mgar4]

Okay I picked up my Hammer on Mothers day now I have to register it. I live in MA and purchased in NH so in order to register it I have to pay the taxes on it. Has anyone from MA been through this process? If so I would appreciate any info on how to go about it (or avoid it).:hat

Thanks

[Baja340SF]

Unless your a huge fan of spending $$ there is a way around paying the sales tax for MA.

Even though you are not a NH resident you can register your boat in NH. You would still be ok to use your boat in MA waters as long as it was not in a single port/slip for more than 30 days in a row (in the water). If you do the majority of your boating in NH (the lakes reg) then i would suggest that you reg NH and not worry about it. I have done this for 3 boats and i do not have a NH residence. You will need to put NH #'s on your bow.
If you were to get pulled over in MA waters by the coast guard (which i did when i was reg NH) i told them i use it mainly at the lake and rarely use it in MA.
It is a bit of a loophole and if the issue gets forced by them because you dont live in NH then you might have to eventually reg MA. (and the CG would not force the issue.....possible MA state police on the water may) But in the mean time........especailly if you use it up the lake......just reg in NH. Also......if you dont reg in MA you also wont be paying exise tax on your boat either. (your trailer you will have to reg in MA)

[mgar4]

340,
Will NH ask for an address?

[Baja340SF]

YUP........and just give them your home address in MA.
You can register it pretty much everywhere. If your comming from boston and going up RT 95, you can go just over the border in Seabrook to a gunshop right on rt1 that will do it for you. I have done it there b4.

[bajacraig]

Hey SF,
Do you know anything about Missouri laws0]
Come Jan. I think I'm gonna need it.

[xZenxNemox]

Might as well ask for some Kansas advise as well, I know they gonna rape me here.

[bajacraig]

Rape would be a nice word for what I think I'm in for, it's gonna be a good old ^&%#%^!@^%!%$^@#$^@%^&%$:o

[bajacraig]

OH YEH I just remembered, we just got her this year so it's not gonna be till Jan. of 05 till I get bent over and %$^#$#%^$$*:D :D :D

[BajaHotShot]

Mgar4,
Just as baja340sf said. You should have no problems. I had 3 of my previous boats reg'ed that way when I was in MA. Most town offices in NH will do it. NH bow numbers with a MA trailer plate does look funny though.

[mgar4]

Okay let me get this straight, I walk in and give them my full MA address including town and zip???? Almost sounds too easy. :eek

I would like to do this soon, so if you guys have any specific info on where to go and what to bring please send me an email.

Thanks!!

[missouri]

Just document the boat with the coast gaurd and avoid those taxes!
Anything over 27' should qualify .....go to a CG site and they tell you how to calculate the 5 ton minimum and what needs to be done.....

My broadband has been down for a month, they just got it fixed today.....feel like I gave a kid their tricycle back and jumped on a harley......56k (or in reality 28k) sucks!

[bajacraig]

I documented mine, I think it ended up being 1/2 what sales tax was but I'll still get with personal property tax:x

I know that people will use the lake home address for getting a lesser personal property tax %. And I have been told there are ways around it all together but I don't have the guts to do it and the back taxes if you got caught would be a killer. I just think I'll play it strait.:rolleyes

[liquidkaos]

I live in MA and have registered my boat in NH for the last 4 years without any problems. I think it was around $65 for a 24 outlaw.

[BajaHotShot]

mgar4,
That's right. I believe all I brought was a bill of sale to the closest NH town's town hall. Make sure you have the following info: bill of sale, Hull ID #, length, make, model year, horsepower. Also they want to know if you use it tidal or inland waters. Say inland and it covers both. You also sign saying you understand laws like boating while intoxicated, flotation devices, and the 150 feet rule. Use your MA address. All you are saying is that you use your boat in NH. I know it sounds wrong but it is all legal. I now live in NH but like I said, I reg'ed 3 other boats that way. My 97 Hammer is $57.84 for this year.