So wondering from anyone living in the Seattle area who has the additional RTA tax for registration -- how much is it for the Model 3? IIRC, it's based on the value of the car, and they depreciate at a much slower rate than something like KBB would show. So wondering what are the final fees for registration/tax/title?
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Seattle area RTA registration tax
- Thread starter drawfour
- Start date
RTA tax is 1.1% of the current value. Depreciation doesn't matter when you buy it, it's 100% of the value. The law says it's based on MSRP, and the MSRP of a Model 3 is $35,000. So the Tax should be $385 when you buy the car.
Here's the depreciation schedule for years in the future
However, the WA House and Senate passed a bill to make depreciation more realalistic going forward, so that table isn't relevant to future years.
Here's the depreciation schedule for years in the future
However, the WA House and Senate passed a bill to make depreciation more realalistic going forward, so that table isn't relevant to future years.
Can't be right. MSRP is set by Tesla. $35k is the base. We're not getting the base. So it should be 1.1% of whatever you bought it for, since you are buying it from the manufacturer, and their price is, by definition, the suggested retail price. Maybe the software options might not be considered part of MSRP, but all of the hardware has to be.
I didn't know about the updated depreciation schedule, so thanks for that.
From the Sound Transit FAQ:
If they wanted it to be purchase price, they would have done it for all vehicles, not just commercial trucks and trailers.
On my Model X, the RTA tax is on an MSRP of $95,500, which is exactly the MSRP that Tesla listed a 90D at, and the exact price of the model listed on my order sheet. Doesn't matter that it had options on it to raise it higher.
You may be correct that they have a different MSRP for the SR and LR, so it's probably on $44,000, not $35,000. $484 in that case. However, Tesla is kinda tricky in that they consider the LR battery to be an "option" instead of a "model" like they do on the S/X. A model 3 order sheet shows $35,000 as the base price of the car, and the battery as a $9,000 option, so I maintain that it will be based on that.
If they wanted it to be purchase price, they would have done it for all vehicles, not just commercial trucks and trailers.
On my Model X, the RTA tax is on an MSRP of $95,500, which is exactly the MSRP that Tesla listed a 90D at, and the exact price of the model listed on my order sheet. Doesn't matter that it had options on it to raise it higher.
You may be correct that they have a different MSRP for the SR and LR, so it's probably on $44,000, not $35,000. $484 in that case. However, Tesla is kinda tricky in that they consider the LR battery to be an "option" instead of a "model" like they do on the S/X. A model 3 order sheet shows $35,000 as the base price of the car, and the battery as a $9,000 option, so I maintain that it will be based on that.
RTA for me is $649 which is 1.1% of car with configured options plus $1000 delivery/documentation fee ($59,000).
I'd push back on that and dispute it. From the RTA FAQ:
The only time the selling price should be used is when the MSRP isn't available, and they specifically list that all owners of the same "model" of car should pay the same, and purchase price doesn't do that. There's no reason they shouldn't be using the $35,000 MSRP of the car for this tax, and it should never factor in delivery price. They had no issue with my Model X using the $95,500 MSRP instead of the purchase price with options + delivery.
One possibility is that what you paid is what Tesla charged you so far, but you often get a check back after purchase for over-payment. Has Tesla settled that yet?
Thank you, I pick up car tomorrow. I was basing my comment off of the purchase agreement.
Total Cash Price
A. Cash price of motor vehicle, options, accessories and fees.
(See attached Vehicle Configuration for itemization.) $ 59,000.00 (A)
B. Less Tesla Vehicle Trade-In (see Trade-in Annex) $ 5,800.00 (B)
C. Other $ (C)
D. Other $ (D)
E. Subtotal of Taxable Items (A through D) $ 53,200.00 (E)
F. Sales Tax $ 2,204.80 (F)
G. Lien Balance due on Trade-in $ 0.00 (G)
Total Cash Price (E through G) $ 55,404.80 (1)
2. Amounts Paid to Government Agencies*
A. Registration/Transfer/Titling Fees $ 125.75 (A)
B. Vehicle License Fees $ 0.00 (B)
C. Other RTA County Fee $ 649.00 (C)
D. Other $ 0.00 (D)
Total Government Fees (A through D) $ 774.75 (2)
3. Subtotal (1 through 2) $ 56,179.55
Also looks like the charged me sales tax based on Seattle 10.1% rather than Shoreline 10% where I live. Ill mention it, I assume I'll get some cash back like you suggest.
So I figured it out. The DOL doesn't yet have the Model 3 in their system. You can look up RTA taxes for a new car here. Click the "start" button in the lower right corner, and put in your address, and other info.
They have the Model S/X in the system, and their MSRP's are as Tesla lists them for the base models of each battery size (75D, 100D, P100D) But no Model 3, and if you put a Model 3 in, they say "unknown vehicle." Which pushes you to use the "purchase price"
Someone should call the DOL and get them to put the Model 3 in, or call Tesla and get them to do it. The difference in tax is ~$220 per car, so they've over-charged Model 3 owners by a couple hundred thousand bucks so far.
They have the Model S/X in the system, and their MSRP's are as Tesla lists them for the base models of each battery size (75D, 100D, P100D) But no Model 3, and if you put a Model 3 in, they say "unknown vehicle." Which pushes you to use the "purchase price"
Someone should call the DOL and get them to put the Model 3 in, or call Tesla and get them to do it. The difference in tax is ~$220 per car, so they've over-charged Model 3 owners by a couple hundred thousand bucks so far.
FYI, I've written to the WA DOL and I'm working to get the Model 3 added to the RTA system at the correct MSRP.
Thank you for pursuing this @gearchruncher. Keep us updated. Maybe you can create a new post in the Northwest Forum in case this one gets buried in the Model 3: OPD Forum...thanks again!
seattlite2004
Active Member
Would that be the MSRP for the mythical SR or the currently shipping LR? Doesnt the Model S/X have different MSRPs depending on batt size and pef? Wouldn't the Mod 3 also have different MSRPs for the SR and LR?
@seattlite2004 - On the Model S/X, they consider the battery sizes to be different models. This shows up on your order sheet from Tesla, where the top line is a "Model S 100D" and that base model is $92,000 (or whatever). Then below that are the options. The options are not part of the RTA tax.
However, on an Model 3 order, the car is always listed as a Model 3, with an MSRP of $35,000. The "LR" battery is a $9,000 option, like any other option. So I believe it applies to the $35,000 MSRP.
However, on an Model 3 order, the car is always listed as a Model 3, with an MSRP of $35,000. The "LR" battery is a $9,000 option, like any other option. So I believe it applies to the $35,000 MSRP.
seattlite2004
Active Member
good job @gearchruncher! I checked it on the DOL website and looks like they added the Model 3 at $35,000 MSRP!
Glad I could help. I guess my karma for today is that I got my model 3 VIN too!
Now, one thing to consider is that anyone that has paid RTA tax on what they paid for the car might want to ask for a refund from the DOR. It's about $250 different.
Onward to try and get the DOR to "extend" the tax break until June like I believe the law says it should. I'll probably file a FOIA on Monday to get the communications between DOL and DOR to see when they were told.
Now, one thing to consider is that anyone that has paid RTA tax on what they paid for the car might want to ask for a refund from the DOR. It's about $250 different.
Onward to try and get the DOR to "extend" the tax break until June like I believe the law says it should. I'll probably file a FOIA on Monday to get the communications between DOL and DOR to see when they were told.
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