Titling and Sales Tax Treatment of Boats and Outboard Motors

PURPOSE: Section 144.020.1(1), RSMo, taxes the retail sale of tangible personal property. This rule interprets the sales tax law as it applies to the sale and lease of watercraft and outboard motors pursuant to sections 144.020.1(8), 144.069 and 144.070, RSMo. Chapter 306 requires the owner to obtain a certificate of title for certain watercraft and outboard motors from the Department of Revenue. (1) In general, the purchaser must pay directly to the Department of Revenue the sales tax due on the sale of watercraft and outboard motors required to be titled. The sales tax due on the sale of all other watercraft must be collected from the purchaser by the seller and remitted to the Department of Revenue. (2) Definition of Terms. (A) Boat/outboard motor leasing company—A company obtaining a permit from the Department of Revenue to operate as a boat or outboard motor leasing company. (B) Documented vessel—A vessel documented by the United States Coast Guard or other agency of the federal government. Such vessels are not subject to any state or local sales or use tax but are instead subject to an in-lieu watercraft tax. See section 306.016, RSMo, for information regarding the in-lieu tax. (C) Motorboat—Any watercraft propelled by machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion. (D) Outboard motor—an internal combustion engine with an integrally attached propeller or waterjet propulsion unit temporarily secured to the stern of a boat. (E) Personal watercraft—A class of inboard vessel, which uses an internal combustion engine powering a jet pump as its primary source of propulsion. (F) Vessel—Any motorboat or motorized watercraft; also, any watercraft more than twelve feet (12') in length which is powered by sail or a combination of sail and machinery. The term vessel does not include any watercraft solely propelled by a paddle or oars. A vessel kept within this state must be registered and titled. (G) Watercraft—Any boat or craft used or capable of being used as a means of transport on waters. Watercraft may or may not be required to be titled. (3) Basic Application of Tax. (A) The sales tax due on the sale of a vessel or outboard motor required to be titled must be paid by the purchaser directly to the department at the time the vessel or motor is titled. The rate of sales tax paid is based on the address of the purchaser and the rate in effect on the date the purchaser submits the application for title to the department. (B) The seller must collect the sales tax due on the sale of all watercraft not covered by section (1) above from the purchaser in accordance with the general sales tax collection methods under Chapter 144, RSMo. (C) Persons engaged in the lease or rental of watercraft or outboard motors have the option of— 1. Paying taxes on the full purchase price of the watercraft or outboard motor at the time of purchase or titling, depending on the type of craft; or 2. Collecting and remitting the sales tax on the gross receipts derived from the lease or rental of the watercraft or outboard motor. (D) A person engaged in the lease or rental of watercraft or outboard motors must choose one of the methods listed in (3) (A) or (3)(B) and must treat all watercraft and outboard motors the same for sales tax purposes. (E) If the lessor chooses the option to collect and remit sales tax based on the lease or rental of the watercraft or outboard motor, the lessor must register with the Department of Revenue as a leasing company pursuant to section 144.070, RSMo. If this option is chosen, the lessor should not pay sales tax on the purchase of the watercraft or outboard motor at the time of purchase or titling. (F) The rental or lease of watercraft or outboard motors is not considered a fee paid in or to a place of amusement, entertainment or recreation and is therefore not subject to tax as such. This provision avoids double taxation on the purchase and subsequent lease or rental of watercraft or outboard motors. (G) Examples. 1. Mr. Justin purchases a motorboat and a personal watercraft (jet ski) to be kept in this state. Because the motorboat and jet ski are types of vessels, they are required to be titled. Mr. Justin must title the motorboat and jet ski with the Department of Revenue and pay sales tax on the purchase price of these items directly to the department upon titling. The local sales tax is based upon Mr. Justin’s address. 2. Ms. Lindsey purchases a canoe from a boat dealer. A canoe is not a vessel, therefore a title is not required. The seller should charge sales tax on the purchase price of the canoe at the time of sale. The local sales tax is based upon the place of business of the boat dealer. 3. Mr. Biggs rents motorboats, canoes and paddleboats. Mr. Biggs has chosen to pay sales tax at the time of purchase or titling and not to collect sales tax on the rental receipts of the watercraft. Mr. Biggs must pay sales tax on the purchase price of the motorboats directly to the Department of Revenue at the time the boats are titled because the motorboats are vessels required to be titled. Mr. Biggs must pay sales tax to the seller of the canoes and paddleboats at the time of purchase; the canoes and paddleboats are not required to be titled because they do not meet the definition of vessel. Mr. Biggs has chosen to pay sales tax at the time of purchase or titling and should therefore use this same method for all watercraft and outboard motors that will be rented. 4. Mr. Kev also rents motorboats, canoes and paddleboats. However, Mr. Kev has chosen to collect and remit sales tax on the rental receipts rather than to pay sales tax on the purchase price of the watercraft. In order to choose this option, Mr. Kev must first register with the Department of Revenue as a leasing company. Mr. Kev should then provide his lease/rental number to the Department of Revenue at the time of titling of the motorboats. Mr. Kev should also present a resale exemption certificate to the vendor of the canoes and paddleboats at the time of purchase. Mr. Kev has chosen to collect and remit sales tax on the rental receipts and should therefore use this same method for all watercraft and outboard motors that will be rented. 5. JJ’s Resort operates a place of amusement at which motorboats and canoes may also be rented. JJ has the option of paying tax on the motorboats and canoes at the time of purchase or titling or to collect and remit sales tax on the rental receipts. Should JJ choose to pay tax at the time of purchase or titling, the gross receipts from the rental of the motorboats and canoes are not subject to sales tax notwithstanding the fact that JJ operates a place of amusement, entertainment or recreation. AUTHORITY: sections 144.270 and 144.705, RSMo 1994.* Original rule filed Nov. 10, 1999, effective May 30, 2000. *Original authority: 144.270, RSMo 1939, amended 1941, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1955, 1961; 144.705, RSMo 1959.