Texas Form 130-U...more retardedness from the tax office

[Meriden]

Titles are one area where Bruce Van Zandt's advice for dealing with bureaucrats works. Go in and ASK for the clerks help with the forms like you have all the time in the world and they are doing you a favor. Almost always they will work to give you the benefit of the doubt and let minor details pass. On the other hand go in and treat them like the whole system is screwed up and they will nail you on ever single period. Can't say it will work perfectly every time, but twice I've managed to title vehicles (a BSA and a boat) without the seller's proper signature.

[Tracker]

and keep (your) tags whenever you sell a vehicle, no matter how much the buyer whines.

[gixxerjasen]

Originally Posted by Meriden

Titles are one area where Bruce Van Zandt's advice for dealing with bureaucrats works. Go in and ASK for the clerks help with the forms like you have all the time in the world and they are doing you a favor. Almost always they will work to give you the benefit of the doubt and let minor details pass. On the other hand go in and treat them like the whole system is screwed up and they will nail you on ever single period. Can't say it will work perfectly every time, but twice I've managed to title vehicles (a BSA and a boat) without the seller's proper signature.

Maybe that's it then. My two previously mentioned purchases were in Plano and Dallas and both times I went in with all my stuff in hand and they handed me the forms to fill them out and walked me through it. Dunno...but the other day was the first I've heard of it at all. And I didn't need sellers signatures for trades either, which may or may not be necessary. BTW, trades are the ultimate way to go. Stick it to the man! $5 trade fee, no extra tax!

[Drumboy]

You might not need the seller's sig on the 130 form if you have a bill of sale.

[donroger1]

Taxes are calculated and paid at 85% of the Presumptive Value or actual sale price, whichever is greater.......

[Meriden]

Originally Posted by Drumboy

You might not need the seller's sig on the 130 form if you have a bill of sale.

Or they are out of state.

[Navy CWO]

My wife works in the tax office and she told me the reason Texas went to the "presumptive value" or actual sale value (whichever is greater) was because at least at her office, they almost never saw a used vehicle sell for more than $100.00. Guess the state government figured out that a lot of tax money was being lost with the $100.00 sales.

[Tracker]

/rant on.
the topic's been beat to death before, but why does the state get to tax a vehicle every time it sells. Imagine the overall taxed value of a vehicle that changes hands 10 times during its lifetime. ridiculous.
/rant off.

[Meriden]

It's what we do instead of a personal income tax.

[Drumboy]

Originally Posted by Meriden

It's what we do instead of a personal income tax.

That's what property tax is for.

[Keith]

Just got back from the tax office, here's another bit of ridiculousness... Evidently Brad and Bradley are simply too different to allow the state of Texas to recognize the signatures on the title and the U-130. So now I get to try to get the original owner to send in an affidavit stating there was - and I quote - "no fraud intended" and that Brand and Bradley are indeed one in the same.

So - make sure you check that all signatures match on both sides of the title AND the U-130 - and that's reguardless of what they print next to the signature.

[P-Ratt]

Well, I made it to the tax office this afternoon with the title, 130, and $$$. All went smoothly. Feigning ignorance and letting him lead the discussion seems the way to go. Took less than 10 minutes all together from opening the door to the building until I was done and on my way home.

[MotorcycleBelle]

I, too, transferred the title on my new Ducati this week in Brazos County. In and out of there in under 15 minutes. No problems, and the guy I bought the bike from had signed the title with his whole name while the title was in his nickname. I had a bill of sale and they handed me the U-130 to fill out on my own. No seller signature required.

I've never had a problem with Brazos County, in fact, it seems they make a concerted effort to make every transaction in that office a pleasant one. They have someone "directing traffic", making sure you don't have to wait for an open clerk. It's amazing, I really have to give that office an A+.

I only wish the DMV in Brazos County were as kind and efficient. But that's another story, I had to go to another county to get my son's driver's license issued rather than deal with the nonsense in that office.

I guess it all boils down to "who" works in the office and what kind of customer service atmosphere the boss generates and encourages.

MotorcycleBelle

[P-Ratt]

So, you went to Brenham DPS office, eh?

[MotorcycleBelle]

Yes, sir, we went to Brenham;

The difference is tremendous.

MB

[jcyuhn]

Originally Posted by Tracker

and keep (your) tags whenever you sell a vehicle, no matter how much the buyer whines.

This varies from state to state. Texas just recently changed to permit keeping the plates when you sell a car. They even have a neat web application for printing a temporary tag when a car is sold via private party transaction.

However, plate goes with the motorcycle in Texas. You cannot transfer it to a new bike.