Do you have to pay sales tax on a vehicle when moving from Alaska to Texas?

Answer 1

If sales tax was paid in Alaska, you won't pay it again in Texas. But you will have to pay "registration fees" in the new state, & good luck getting that partial refund from the state you are moving from. It could happen... with persistence.

I recently purchased a used vehicle in Florida and needed to register it in Texas where I live. First of all many Texas Motor Vehicle employees are not very well informed. It was in Florida where I learned that many States have a reciprocal agreement when it comes to sales tax. Florida and Texas have such an agreement, I don't know about Alaska. I was told by the Texas people that they didn't have it and when I went to register the car, they tried to charge me the full sales tax. Luckily I insisted they find someone who knew the law. Anyway, you pay sales tax on a used vehicle in Texas according to the value they have decided your car is worth even if you paid less. (Don't ask!!) Since I had registered the car in Florida before I left, I had proof of what I paid for the car. That was a big help. I paid the difference in Tax when I registered in Texas which has a higher sales tax. Of course you still have to pay registration fees and they sock you with a $90. new resident fee (I call this "Welcome to Texas" hospitality!!??). First year it cost $194.00 & $90.00 plus an inspection fee of $39.50, plus your insurance costs to register a car here and this doesn't include sales tax. The next year you pay inspection $39.50 and roughly $73. for renewed registration. No free inspection stations in Texas. Oh, and the process is, First get insurance, next get the car inspected, then get it registered and lastly you can get a "coveted" Texas drivers license. Getting the idea that the Motor Vehicle Dept in Texas needs a major overhaul??!! Good Luck