Registering a New Trailer in Maine

[Johnkn]

In MD I would pay 6% sales tax or ~$330 plus about $150 for a 2 year registration. Maine is no sales tax I recall and $100 for 5 year registration.

 

[Peter 315]

In MD I would pay 6% sales tax or ~$330 plus about $150 for a 2 year registration. Maine is no sales tax I recall and $100 for 5 year registration.

Maine is 5.5 sales tax..read the link I sent you..

 

[Peter 315]

When are sales tax due?

If you bought a trailer (new or used) for personal use that is not a large semi-trailer (GVW over 50,000 lbs.), 5.5% Maine Sales Tax is due on the amount paid for the trailer.

Examples: boat trailer, horse trailer, utility trailer, snowmobile trailer, etc.

If you bought a large semi-trailer, it is assumed that it will be used in Interstate Commerce and no sales tax is required.

No Sales Tax Due if the following are true:
The trailer is already titled in your name.
The trailer is already registered in your name.
The trailer is used in Interstate Commerce over 80% of the time.

 

[fried1765]

In MD I would pay 6% sales tax or ~$330 plus about $150 for a 2 year registration. Maine is no sales tax I recall and $100 for 5 year registration.

Call Countrywide Trailer Registrations at 207-922-2650 (Fax 207-573-4352).
Jennifer is VERY helpful, and will handle the entire process for you.

$20 per year, up to 10? years.
I do not believe I have ever paid any sales tax on a Maine registered trailer (have had 3)

You only need a certificate of origin. A title is not necessary to register, but you will then receive a Maine title as part of the registration process.

 

[Rustyiron]

I'll second what Freud said. Pretty sure I bought a trlr at auction in MD, did the Maine thing (just because all my other trailers were) and ended up with a Maine title, later sold the trailer and realized that there was never any purchase money that got taxed. I think that's what you're looking for beyond the not having to fark with the renewal annually. :thumbsup:
I initially was trying to explain that even a commercial trailer that regularly went through the scales and they had no (apparent) problem with this.

 

[mcfarmall]

Register in Michigan, our trailer plates are good as long as you own the trailer. Unless you're a wheeler dealer and get new trailers every 2 years then it's not so good.

 

[Hay Dude]

My boss from years ago registered his Great Dane trailers in Maine. Never understood why until he told me about the tax. I have no idea if I could with my trailers since they mostly reside in PA. More like 80% in one state, not 80% interstate

 

[Oaktree]

When are sales tax due?

If you bought a trailer (new or used) for personal use that is not a large semi-trailer (GVW over 50,000 lbs.), 5.5% Maine Sales Tax is due on the amount paid for the trailer.

Examples: boat trailer, horse trailer, utility trailer, snowmobile trailer, etc.

If you bought a large semi-trailer, it is assumed that it will be used in Interstate Commerce and no sales tax is required.

No Sales Tax Due if the following are true:
The trailer is already titled in your name.
The trailer is already registered in your name.
The trailer is used in Interstate Commerce over 80% of the time.

How do they determine the price paid for a trailer? They must have some sort of book similar to what towns here use for auto valuation because otherwise who's to stop someone from having a friend write them a bill of sale for $1 making the tax only 6¢?

I wasn't aware that states titled trailers, mine's registered here in N.H. and I never got a title. I did have to produce something showing brand, model and maybe s/n when I registered it, but that was all, I'm sure that info was used for valuation.

Likewise, my state doesn't issue titles for any vehicle over 25 years old (it was 10 well into the 90s).

 

[fried1765]

My boss from years ago registered his Great Dane trailers in Maine. Never understood why until he told me about the tax. I have no idea if I could with my trailers since they mostly reside in PA. More like 80% in one state, not 80% interstate

To register in Maine, it does not matter where your address is, or where the trailer is primarily stored/ used.

 

[Hay Dude]

To register in Maine, it does not matter where your address is, or where the trailer is primarily stored/ used.

I thought Maine reg trailers had to be used 80% interstate