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Old 10-22-2018, 10:58 AM   #1
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2016 27' Flying Cloud
Olympia , Washington
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Puget Sound RTA Tax: Imposed on Airstreams?

In November, 2016, voters in the eastern Puget Sound, WA, area (ie, Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, etc.) by initiative ballot approved the imposition of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax to fund regional mass transit expansion in that area; the annual tax is calculated as $110 per $10,000 of depreciated vehicle value.

Recently, I received from the WA Dept. of Licensing its notice for me to renew my Airstream license for another year. It stated a license fee of $80.75 plus an RTA tax of $646, for a total of $726.75. Zounds!!!

Question #1: Has any other AS owner in the Puget Sound area been charged an RTA tax?

The WA State Licensing Official RTA Tax Site states that "travel trailers" are exempt from the RTA tax. WA RCW 46.04.623 defines a "travel trailer" as:

"Travel trailer" means a trailer built on a single chassis transportable upon the public streets and highways that is designed to be used as a temporary dwelling without a permanent foundation and may be used without being connected to utilities.

That definition would appear to encompass an Airstream trailer. Yet, the RTA tax was imposed on my AS.

Question #2: What's the legal authority for imposing the RTA tax on an Airsteam trailer?
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Old 10-22-2018, 01:15 PM   #2
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Hi

Be glad you don't live in a state that charges you those sort of taxes on all your vehicles, every year ...... I've lived places that do exactly that.

Have you called them and asked about the situation? It may be a simple error on their part. They may think it's a motorhome rather than a trailer ( or something equally weird ...)

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Old 10-22-2018, 03:06 PM   #3
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I live in Lakewood, also part of the Seattle Transit money grab zone. Renewed my AS and F150 in May. Paid the the RTA on the truck, not on the trailer. Hope you get it straightened out.
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Old 10-22-2018, 05:59 PM   #4
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Fall City , Washington
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Puget Sound RTA Tax: Imposed on Airstreams?

I live just outside the RTA zone, which allows me to own 2 vintage cars, 5 motorcycles, and 4 cars/trucks. I’ll never move closer to Seattle (for many reasons including the RTA). No RTA fees on my 27,likely because I am outside of the zone.
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Old 10-23-2018, 05:30 AM   #5
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Lakewood , Washington
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DOL web link, with table-travel trailers exempt

From the WA DOL site:
https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/rta.html
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Old 10-23-2018, 06:47 AM   #6
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Thanks to the link vlaming posted, it appears you have been overcharged.
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Old 10-23-2018, 11:13 AM   #7
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They do charge the RTA on all “motor” vehicles. It’s highway robbery. My travel trailer doesn’t have a motor so the tow vehicle gets the tax. My buddies motor home does get taxed though.
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Old 10-23-2018, 11:33 AM   #8
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We paid under $50 toward our registration renewal this year. You have been overcharged, I'd call and speak with someone at DOL and they should be able to fix it for you.
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Old 10-23-2018, 01:23 PM   #9
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Bellingham , Washington
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Living here in the North Sound (Bellingham) I am not aware of any such tax. Would not be surprised if it happened. Reading the table it seems as if you have been inappropriately taxed.
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Old 10-23-2018, 01:39 PM   #10
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Newport , Washington
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My wife was born in Seattle and spent her entire life in that area. I moved there out of college and spent over 30 years in the area. About 12 years ago we got fed up with this kind of malarky and moved to Idaho. Much as we love the Puget Sound area you couldn't pay us to go back.
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Old 10-23-2018, 01:51 PM   #11
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Nevada- (2018) 2014 25 foot International Airstream: $830.00 renewal for 2018-2019

Colorado- (2015) $958.66 compared to Nevada which was about $200 more at the time.

We had homes in both States. Now full time in Nevada. When considering moving to a new state... always check Income Tax Rates, Real Estate and Vehicle taxes so you are not surprised. Idaho has some interesting second home and living a partial year in that State for Income Taxes.

In Colorado, some bragged about having their Trailer licensed in low cost States. Washington was one of them. They were living in Colorado. Maybe Florida was another.

We sold the Airstream a week ago. The license was prorated daily for the year once the plates were taken to DMV. The credit was credited for renewal of our plates in 2019 on one or either of our current vehicles.
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Old 10-31-2018, 03:52 PM   #12
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I pay $35 per year In Florida for my AS tag. No other fees/penalties.
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Old 11-01-2018, 08:28 AM   #13
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King and Queen County, Virginia:

2012 International Signature
Assessed Value: $36,450
Assessed PP Tax: 1,436.13

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Old 04-26-2021, 09:37 AM   #14
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I have a 2019 25FB International. Just got my tabs renewal. I live in the Regional Transit Authority hot zone in the greater Seattle area. My renewal is for $940. I called them and I seem to be screwed.
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Old 04-26-2021, 11:07 AM   #15
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kent , Washington
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I have never been charged an RTA tax for my Airstream. I believe your trailer may have been classified as a motorhome in error. You might also have a look at your Title. Mine indicates Body Style "Travel Trailer."
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Old 04-26-2021, 12:04 PM   #16
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No RTA tax in Seattle

I wasn’t charged the 2021 RTA tax on my AS but I was charged $62 for my 2008 Land Cruiser. Sounds like a mistake.
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Old 04-27-2021, 10:06 AM   #17
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Issaquah , Washington
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You were right stunami

Someone miscoded the renewal as a "personal use trailer" (whatever that is) instead of "travel trailer" as is indicated on the title. Whew!!!
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Old 08-03-2021, 04:50 PM   #18
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Bonney Lake , Washington
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Exclamation

Perhaps somehow they charged you as a Touring Coach by mistake.
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Old 08-03-2021, 09:09 PM   #19
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Lakewood , Washington
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Lakewood WA here also. No RTA on my 5th wheel over the past 6 years or 2500HD truck. I will be crossing that bridge for a new AS in a few weeks and will be interested in looking at the paperwork being processed at time of sale. It sounds like the dealer also. I didn't think Thurston county was part of the 3 county RTA. I guess I won't move to the other side of the railroad tracks now if that is true.
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