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Technically the VLF is an ad valorem tax, and not a property tax. GA, IN and CA have ad valorems, whereas CO, MA, KS, CT, RI, NC, VA, NH, KY, OK, AR, WV, LA in the New Orleans Parish, and TX on leased vehicles, have true vehicle property taxes. (I'm not so sure on OK right now, but anyway)
The difference is that a true vehicle property tax is assessed on your vehicle like it is assessed on your house. The millage that is in your little city (the property tax rate) is multiplied by some value of the car. Different cities in Connecticut have different property tax bills on the same priced vehicle.
An ad valorem is simply calculated by some percentage of the vehicle's value. In those states with ad valorem, the tax is the same through out the state, and it's pretty easy to calculate. Furthermore, it's controlled by the state legislature, whereas property tax is usually controlled more by the citizens (who may wanna vote for more property taxes to meet some need.)
As one of those articles noted, the VLF replaced CA local property taxes, though it still goes to the cities and counties (CA has this odd top down system which I suspect is hell on the cities and a terrible pain to figure out for the state.)
It is another reason not to live in California (or at least register your car there) but the property taxes paid by someone in CO, MA or VA are lethal in comparison. I remember, prior to the VLF offset, that a person with a 3 series bimmer would pay about $350 CA VLF, but about $1000 in CO, $800-$1000 in MA, and about $800-$1000 in VA in property taxes.
As for NJ, the state apparently feels that God himself has given them the right to regulate insurance any way they want, which is why no one wants to write insurance policies there, and if they do, it'll be hella expensive. With the Sopranos in the back of my mind, I always thought it would be cool to be from New Jersey, living in a city with some cool, vaguely difficult to pronounce name (like Metuchen or Watchung) and having a non-photo driver's license. Not anymore, not for the money. :-)
posted by 172.152.10...
, Thu, 20 Jun 2002 21:48:45, Thu, 20 Jun 2002 08:25:45
, Thu, 20 Jun 2002 13:02:21
, Wed, 19 Jun 2002 23:29:15
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