• Licensing A Boat In Washington State
• Licensing A Boat In Washington State Game
• Licensing A Boat In Washington State College

. Cruising Permits & Taxes Unless one of the various exemptions applies, sailing vessels over 16-feet in length and all motorized vessels must be registered with the State of Washington. Motorized vessels less than 16-feet long and powered by less than 10-HP are exempt if never used on a federally controlled body of water. At the time of purchase, or initial registration within Washington, a sales or “use” tax will be collected as well.

May 02, 1989  BOATS ‑- LICENSES ‑- DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING. Under current Washington law, the Department of Licensing has no authority to require the licensing of boats owned by Washington residents but used exclusively on waters outside the boundaries of the state. Official WA State Licensing (DOL) website: licensing and regulating drivers, vehicle and boats, and over 30 types of professions and businesses.

(Manually powered vessels not subject to registration fees will still be subject to sales taxes) Sales Tax If a vessel is purchased from a yacht broker or dealer, the seller will collect the sales tax during closing. Sales tax varies slightly by county, but is typically between 8 and 8.9%. If the dealer or broker accepted a trade-in as partial payment, the sales tax is calculated only on the net difference between the two values. Vessels purchased out of state by Washington residents for use within Washington state, vessels transferred to Washington by out-of-state residents for extended use in Washington waters, and vessels purchased from private parties are subject to use tax instead of sales tax. The same percentage rate used to calculate sales tax applies to use tax, based on a vessel value determined by sales documents and/or an owner’s statement of value approved by the county auditor.

Sales and Use Tax Exemptions Non-resident boaters purchasing a boat in Washington will not be required to pay sales or use tax, providing the boat is required to licensed and registered in another state and is not used on Washington for more than 45 days following the purchase Non-resident boaters who bring a vessel to Washington for temporary use are not subject to use tax for the first 60 days, if the vessel is properly registered in another state. The 60 days may be extended to six months if the non-resident applies for a temporary Washington State Vessel ID document.

Sales or use tax previously paid on the same vessel in another state will be deducted from the tax collected in Washington, providing the registrant can show proof of payment. Vessels purchased for use as a charter boat are not initially subject to sales or use tax; but tax will be collected each time the vessel is chartered. Tax is also due on the theoretical charter value whenever an owner reserves the boat for personal use. Additional sales tax exemptions apply for vessels used in commercial fishing, interstate or foreign commerce, and certain other non-recreational situation. Cruising Permits At the time of purchase, a non-resident may buy a permit that allows use in Washington waters for 12 months.

Boats operated under a cruising permit must not return to Washington for 24 months after the permit expires, or use tax and registration will apply. Titling, Registration, and Excise Tax All vessels registered with Washington State will be issued a state title, unless the vessel is registered with the US Coast Guard (“documented”). Boats with a Washington title must display official registration numbers on the hull, but documented vessels are exempt from the display of “WN numbers”.

All vessels, documented or titled, are subject to an annual vessel excise tax. The tax is calculated at ½ of 1% of the vessel value, and is collected each year when registration is renewed. All boats must display an annual registration sticker, on both the port and starboard side, to verify the payment of registration fees and excise taxes. The vessel licensing year begins July 1, and ends the following June 30. Vessel excise taxes and registration fees must be paid before expiration of the previous year’s “tabs”. ©2018 Northwest Cruising.

Owned and Operated by NW Yacht Brokers Association, Seattle, Washington.

Info on WA water craft regulations, with details on the necessary documentation and fees Most new boats must be registered through the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) before they can be sailed. New vessels need to be registered within 60 days of purchase and have to be titled at the time of registration. Registrations are valid for one year. VESSELS THAT REQUIRE REGISTRATION. Any motorboat (including those using motors as secondary propelling source), with motor power greater than 10hp. Sailboats longer than sixteen feet. Boats documented with the U.S.

VESSELS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION. Any boat that is propelled only by oars or paddles.

Licensing A Boat In Washington State

Any motorboat with motor power less than 10hp and less than 16 feet long, if sailing on non-federal waters. Non-motorized sailboats less than 16 feet long. Vessels with a license from the U.S. Customs Service. A ship's lifeboat.

Boats registered in another country/state and not being used in Washington for more than 60 days. TO REGISTER IN PERSON. You can register a boat in person by visiting your.

Licensing A Boat In Washington State Game

You must bring a completed boat registration application and a and proof of ownership such as a, invoice, previous title and registration, bill of lading, certificate of origin, or out-of-state title along with a sales tax payment proof (in the absence of which you have to pay a ). TO REGISTER BY U.S.

MAIL The boat registration application and proof of ownership can also be mailed to: ATTN: Vehicle Licensing Department of Licensing Box 9909 Olympia, WA. FEES Boat registration fees are dependent on factors like the weight of the vessel and the county of residence.

Licensing A Boat In Washington State College

Contact your to find out the exact amount of fees when you register your boat for the first time. In addition, vessels registered in Washington are subject to a $4 service charge (payable if the vessel is registered in person at the ) and an excise tax of 0.5% of the taxable value of the vessel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Both the vessel registration number and current decals must be clearly displayed on the vessel, according to Washington. For additional information, see the. Get Quick Online Answers!