Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes New Plane Registration Fees/ Taxes, How Much?

Hi All,

I have been lurking here for about a year and may be getting close to purchasing a '79 152 for about 20 grand.

I live in Massachusetts, but may keep the plane in New Hampshire (Nashua). For those of you who have been through it, what does it cost for registration and taxes for a new plane?

I am trying to get all my answers in a row when the boss (i.e. Wife) starts asking, "how much is this gonna cost?"

Thanks,
Tim Hynes

Hi Tim,
I'm surre Steve Mayotte will be able to help you better
than anyone here (If he is still lurking around).
He live in Ma. and keeps his plane at ASH too.

Mass has no sales tax on aviation services or parts. I'm not
sure if that extends to aircraft.
If you end up based out of NH you will register it in NH
and I don't know what they get for
that fee.
Ma. gets $75 /year for Reg.
I'm based in RI and it is much cheaper.

Hey Tim,

Hope it works out and you get in your set of wings - nothing like it.

The Federal Registration fee when you purchase a plane is more of a one time nusiance tax - 5.00. Once past that there are no yearly Federal taxes or fees.

State fees and taxes vary from state to state so you'll need to do your homework at that level.

Good luck on getting your plane.

Jim

I called my state's aviation agency, which is part of the transportation department. They were very helpful in explaining what I would owe them . Suggest you do the same. They should be more than willing to answer your questions.

Hi, I am in the opposite situation. I live in NH and N6740S is based in MA. The MA annual registration fee for a plane with a gross weight of 2000 lbs or less is $100.00. There is no MA sales tax on airplanes (at least there wasn't a couple years ago). NH issued a registration exemption form which is valid as long as the plane is based in MA.

How much is it going to cost to keep it at ASH? The tiedown fee at Fitchburg is about $50.00 monthly and the cheapest hangar space is $141.00. When I was in the market they said hangar space, all of which is privately owned, was in the ballpark of $400.00 per month as Nashua. I don't remember how much a tie down was there.

MA info: http://www.massaeronautics.org/

MA registration form: http://macforms.massaeronautics.org/webforms/aircraftregistration.aspx

NH info: http://www.nh.gov/dot/bureaus/aeronautics/index.htm

I can't seem to find the NH registration form online.

Good luck with your new plane!!!

Just for those in other states at other corners who might be considering purchasing an aircraft, here is my two-bits worth.

First, if you think owning will save you money over renting, fergit it. Owning will cost more, no matter how you figger it, than renting. The advantages of owning are:

a. You can fly anytime you want.
b. You can keep the airplane spruced up. All the rentals I have ever flown were all kinda shop worn.
c. You can dictate the level of maintenance (high)
d. You know how the airplane has been treated, at least since you bought it.
e. You can determine what goodies to add, or forego.
f. You can go pet it anytime you want.

I got my little bird very cheap, $15,500. The first additional cost was a very modest $150 for a pre-buy. Expect to pay more, and don't even THINK of buying an airplane without a pre-buy. Mine uncovered a list of picky items. None of 'em deal breakers, but things I needed to know.

The aircraft was purchased in Oregon and moved to Washington, where the first thing Washington State Department of Revenue wanted was 8.4% sales tax, $1,302. The State Department of Transportation wanted $60 (every year). The first annual totaled just over $1,300.

So total acquisition cost was about $18,312 on the $15,500 base price. Ooops, I forgot the $5 to the FAA. $18,317.

You might also consider a title search. In the case of this bird, I happened to be acquianted with not only the owner previous to the seller, but also some folks that could make sure the airplane had clear title.

Not added were three road trips from Shelton, WA to Independence, OR, two flights, courtesy of a friend, from Olympia, WA to Independence, OR, and fuel costs to move the plane (but hey, that was flight time!!).

Plus fuel, time, meals, etc. spent looking at other airplanes.

Ya gotta enjoy lavishing money on your baby.

Conclusion? I LOVE owning this little bird. It is well worth the additional expense.

Reg

Thanks!

I appreciate all the help everyone is offering! This is making this decision much easier.

Regards,
Tim Hynes