Anyone on here do vehicle appraisals? The county is trying to tell me a truck I just bought is worth more than double what I paid for it. It's about to roll 300,000 miles and they are trying to tax me for $17,000. I already think it's criminal to tax a vehicle that has already been taxed, but to double its value is BS.

Can you just go get a trade in quote from Carmax? Typically they'll print it or email it to you.

Good idea. County told me it had to be a certified appraiser but it's worth a shot

would they not accept the invoice if you just bought it?

Paid cash, private sale. Only have a bill of sale that they don't trust. It's normal for the county to use standard presumptive value on newer cars, but the high mileage on this one just doesn't match what their system thinks. They are $7K over the high end of KBB

is this for property tax?

do you have more than $125k of value in your business?

Texas Proposition 9, Authorize $125,000 Tax Exemption for Tangible Property Used for Income Production Amendment (2025)

It's considered sales tax. I just stood up an LLC for some stuff I have going on and plan to write some vehicles off to it but I don't think that helps you get out of sales tax. Could be wrong though.

ahh, i was thinking P-tax.

coolerguy12 said:

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It's considered sales tax. I just stood up an LLC for some stuff I have going on and plan to write some vehicles off to it but I don't think that helps you get out of sales tax. Could be wrong though.

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You can register it in Montana with an llc to avoid sales tax but states are cracking down on that.

The SPV calculator is available on the DMV's website. I'd make sure the county is calculating correctly. Without an appraisal, they should only charge you 80% of the SPV.

It sounds like you're going to pay $100-200 for an appraisal to end up saving $300 in sales tax. Is the juice worth the squeeze?

It all depends on what the appraisal comes in at. But your scenario is where I'm at. I'm seeing $300 on an appraisal and if it comes in at $8000 I save $500 on tax so net $200. Going to try to go back tomorrow with KBB value and autonation quote printed. Both were high $6000 value

I know a guy that has two trailers tagged in South Dakota… this thought has crossed my mind

I'll do it for $150
I have a P#
they probably won't take autonation or others as proof
of value since they don't list their P# on there, if they don't lmk

What's the SPV?

If you don't mind give me a call or text

$17K. KBB is 6k-10k based on condition.

coolerguy12 said:

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$17K. KBB is 6k-10k based on condition.

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300K and 17K? What is this magical machine?

$17K is SPV. Actually it's $21K which is even more insane. Didn't realize they could only do 80% of it.

Magic machine is a 2020 tundra with 296,000 miles. My 07 has 265K so doing a little upgrade trading some miles for 13 years newer.

coolerguy12 said:

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$17K is SPV. Actually it's $21K which is even more insane. Didn't realize they could only do 80% of it.

Magic machine is a 2020 tundra with 296,000 miles. My 07 has 265K so doing a little upgrade trading some miles for 13 years newer.

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Their algorithm has to be ****ed up and weight too much on age and not enough on miles. They probably don't get the extreme cases of 50,000 miles per year very often.

Agreed. Dumb that there is no way to dispute it without paying for an appraisal. Working with PainTrain, should be able to get it down and save a few bucks

I've had good luck going to another county office in a different town ( annex) within the same county tax collector system when an employee acts stupid at the main office.

Mas89 said:

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I've had good luck going to another county office in a different town ( annex) within the same county tax collector system when an employee acts stupid at the main office.

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Not much you can do to get around SPV. They stick the vin into their computer and that tells them how much tax to collect. This is state law that was passed 10-15yrs ago to stop people lying on bills of sale to avoid tax liability.

It's a pain in the ass for situations like this or odd ball cars.