|
There is no hidin' from the CA DMV. You gotta pay sales tax no matter where you bought the car, and they get you when you register it. The time-honored tradition when buying a used car is to get the previous owner to write 2 different bills of sale: one for the actual purchase price, and one for a lowball figure. The lowbal number is then used when you register. Works great unless you get caught. If you are buying from a dealer, or financing the car, there is the very real possibility that you will be found out, as those agencies also report to DMV (but I'm not sure how rigorous they match numbers). Even a private party purchase is risky, as the seller is supposed to report the selling price on the liability release form.
Best bet is to just accept it, tell the truth, and drive happy...
|