I’m about to buy a new-to-me boat and am looking into the taxes. In Minnesota I’ve heard you only have to pay taxes on the value of the trailer and not the boat/motor itself in a private party sale. Is this true and could anyone provide a legitimate source for me? I just found a DNR link from 2009. Thank you.
That was the case when I purchased a boat from private party 2yrs ago
Same here when I bought mine…no tax on the boat, just the trailer. I remember because we had to try to value the trailer separately because as most the purchase was for boat, motor and trailer. Kinda strange now that I think about it but I guess we know Minnesota is a strange place. 
I can’t believe Minnesota missed a chance at another tax. I’m sure some of our legislators read this forum so next year ????
Shhh, can the mod’s delete this thread!?! If Goofy and the clan at the capitol realize this, I’m sure it will be changed in short order! 
But yes, as was previously stated I only had to pay tax on the trailer when I bought mine about 2 years ago.
Yes it’s 100% true you pay tax on the value of the trailer only if you want proof call your local DMV and they will tell you. And the value of the trailer is decided by you as well.
And the value of the trailer is decided by you as well.
There are a hell of a lot of $100 boat trailers in this state…. 
-J.
Thank you for the responses. Have you guys been able to find an actual online source? I’d just like to be able to point it out if anyone asks. I’m struggling to find it anywhere in writing that is actually understandable.
There are a hell of a lot of $100 boat trailers in this state….
Mine is registered as being worth $1000 with a 200 lb capacity, I guess that third 0 wasn’t very clear there 
Thank you for the responses. Have you guys been able to find an actual online source? I’d just like to be able to point it out if anyone asks. I’m struggling to find it anywhere in writing that is actually understandable.
It’s a ‘Motor Vehicles Sales Tax’ which is described here: http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/businesses/sut/factsheets/FS125.pdf
You’ll see that a trailer is listed as motor vehicle but there is no mention of the boat itself. The tax will not be collected by the seller in any case, you’ll pay it when you register it with the DMV.
Thank you for the responses. Have you guys been able to find an actual online source? I’d just like to be able to point it out if anyone asks. I’m struggling to find it anywhere in writing that is actually understandable.
See pages 3 and 8 of this page from the dnr website. There are transfer fees, no sales tax.
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf
-J.
Thanks again for the responses. That’s what I needed!
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