But what you quoted doesn't apply to the situation, and specifically contradicts you. It only applies to vehicles that are purchased for their "first functional use" being outside the state. What is that? Taken right from your quote:That's not what the CA gov website says - sounds like you guys have been treated rather improperly by the dealerships and sales oultets and contrary to state law - I have quoted the state website - what more can I say than get a lawyer or go "pro se"?
So if you take delivery of the vehicle in California, and drive it, the first functional use is in California, so the entire section you quoted, "Not purchased for use in California", no longer applies.
But it is made more clear in a section further down on the page you linked to:
Two problems for you in that section:
- This exclusion does not apply to a purchase from a licensed vehicle dealer subject to sales tax.
- Tesla is a dealer subject to sales tax.
- You may not be required to pay California use tax if the only use of the vehicle in California is to remove it from the stateand it will be used solely thereafter outside this state, and you do not register the vehicle in California with the DMV.
- i.e. If you use it as part of your vacation in California on your way home, the exclusion no longer applies.
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