Extended Stays for Nonresident Boaters in Washington

Nonresident boaters may now extend their stay in Washington waters for up to 12 months without incurring any tax liability if they purchase a state use permit.  Nonresident boaters may now extend their stay in Washington waters for up to 12 months without incurring any tax liability if they purchase a state use permit.  Effective July 1, 2007, non-resident boaters are: Exempt from sales tax for vessels purchased in Washington, if the individual acquires a permit and remains in the state for no more than 12 months. Exempt from use tax for vessels brought into Washington, if the individual acquires a permit and remains in the state for no more than 12 months. Exempt from the requirement to register a vessel with the Department of Licensing for 12 months if the individual is in possession of a use permit. The cost is $500 for vessels 30 feet to 50 feet and $800 for those 50 feet and larger.  Once a permit has been issued the vessel may not be issued another with the same owner for 24 months. LLCs and corporations are not eligible for the extended-stay permit.  This is only for individual non-resident boat owners.  The permits are sold only through participating brokers and dealers.  The new law does not change the previous regulation pertaining to nonresident transient boaters who may want to stay in Washington waters for up to six months (see sidebar).  The new permit applies only for boaters who wish to remain in state for longer than six months.  The extended-stay permit will be particularly attractive to Californians who must keep their newly purchased vessels out of state for one year to eliminate any California sales tax liability.  The following dealers and brokers have announced that permits may be obtained from their offices. Bellingham Yacht Sales, Bellingham Blackfish Marine, Seattle Capital City Yacht Sales, Olympia Chuck Hovey Yachts, Seattle Elliott Bay Yacht Sales, Seattle International Marine Management, Seattle Irwin Yacht Sales, Seattle Nordhavn Yachts Northwest, Seattle Skipper Cress Yacht Sales, Anacortes Selene Seattle, Seattle Venwest Yachts, Seattle   6-MONTH NONRESIDENT PERMIT The new 12-month permit for nonresident boaters, of course, is going to get confused with the existing laws allowing vessels owned by nonresidents to remain in Washington for up to six months. But the new permit is a new option for boaters and does not supersede the existing regulations.  For visiting nonresident boaters who are in Washington state waters for up to six months in a 12-month period, the law stipulates: If the boat is here for 60 days or less, no permit is required. If the boat is here for more than 60 days, the nonresident boater is required to pay $25 for a two-month identification document. This document can be renewed for a final two-month period if the boat is in the state for the full six months. Note The boat must be either a documented vessel of the United States or be registered in its home state.

 

< Prev