Imposed Stated Sales Tax On Used Cars; Is This Legal, Given Circumstances?

No, the State does not.

You could take that approach, but a simpler way would be to obtain a bill of sale for the amount paid and send a copy of that to the State.

This is basically what I did in a similar situation. At the moment, New Jersey has some financial problems, and they are trying this tactic in every case they can. In my limited experience, they really aren't going to pay much attention to anything except a bill of sale.

George Patterson

Thanks guys, for your responses!

The Bill Of Sale would be great to have, but as I mentioned previously, my friend doesn't recall the name of the seller, and unfortunately, he didn't make a copy of the title before turning it in to motor vehicles. Also, due to the rather low selling price, it didn't seem important at the time, to have a Bill Of Sale.

Hence, can my buddy retrieve the name of the seller?

Is this possible through a title search, vehicle report (Car Fax, etc.), or perhaps even a search through the Dept. Of Motor Vehicle records?

I'm not sure if there is a way to access such information through the internet, or at the local library?

If anyone has any suggestions on how to obtain contact information for the seller of a motor vehicle long after the sale, then please let me know ASAP.

Thanks again,

Glen

In that case, I wish him luck. In my case, I was dealing with the usage tax on an aircraft rather than a car, but the laws are almost identical. The letter I got contained a contact number for the tax agent handling my case. I was able to discuss the matter with the agent and settle it without a bill of sale. Your friend may be able to do the same, and it can't hurt to try.

As for making a copy of the title, the NJDOT might actually have the name of the former owner or license number. Some States retain title records for several years after a vehicle is sold (I've heard that California does this, for example), so he might also want to contact the DOT of the State in which the vehicle was formerly registered.

Come to think of it, the tax agent may be able to tell him the name of the seller.

George Patterson 'Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum.' - When you have their full attention in your grip, their hearts and minds will follow.

They did the same thing to me. I simply sent them a copy of the purchase reciept and that shut them up.