GL: Florida Sales Tax issue

[Jim Healy]

Dave,



The Sojourner's Permit is issued at any Florida State Motor Vehicle Agency
office; however, you may find that rather few of the employees in these
agencies know of it, so you may have to be persistent with your
representative.  In Florida, a boat is just another vehicle, as is an
airplane, and all vehicles can be registered - and tax paid - at Motor
Vehicle offices anywhere in the state.



Call the office you choose to visit first, as we also discovered that
Florida DMV offices do not always provide all services M-F during regular
office hours.  Some have windows open late on weekdays and on Saturdays, and
are closed on selected weekdays to manage their 40 hr workweek (or 36, or
whatever).  Just call ahead to be sure they'll be able to serve you on the
day you go in.



The Sojourner's Permit is specifically for non-residents of Florida.  If you
are a Florida resident but keep the boat in another state, technically, it's
not for you.  That said though, I do know of at least one case where the
permit was issued to a Florida resident in Tarpon Springs a month ago.  In
that case, the permit was issued in November and carried a March expiration
date, more than 90 days.  So, it's also a crap shoot..



Florida is an interesting place.



The liveaboard law and regulations are equally interesting, but I digress..



Hope this is helpful.  Good luck.



Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary,

currently at Punta Gorda, FL