2023 Registration Fees

[Merrymeeting]

I just got my 2023 registration renewal notice for my 18 year old vehicle. The Local Fee is the same as 2022 ($110), but the State Fee has nearly doubled (55.20 up to 95.20). Anyone know why the state fee jumped so much?

[garysanfran]

Too many transplants from south?

[Descant]

There has been talk for years about how to finance state roads. Gas tax is failing as a revenue source as mpg improves and people go to electric or hybrid. There was a big outcry a few years ago (2011?) when several taxes and fees were raised and many were repealed the next session. Tax on gambling winnings was one, but not before it put the Belmont track out of business. Anyway, legislatures all around the country are looking for solutions. I did not think NH had headed in this direction, but it is possible.
Gov't forces better mpg standards and put extra taxes on gas guzzlers. Now, they have to put extra taxes on non-guzzlers. It won't be long before the Road Toll (gas tax) refund for boats and off road vehicles will be repealed. Those funds that are not refunded go in part to support F & G. Then they will need other funding sources.

[John Mercier]

Lakes Region Casino is still in business.
Greyhound racing stopped on-site due to cost.
It changed hands due to illegal activity. https://www.fosters.com/story/news/2...o/52624717007/

The Casino changed hands recently to a holding company operated by two trust fund managers in Nevada.

To my knowledge the only registration change that could result in going from 55.20 upward would be change in gross weight (questionable) at the town clerk's office.
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa...61/261-141.htm

The State has several outward transfers of DoT monies that would come before the repeal of any funding to F&G/BoT or Marine Patrol. One such example is NRTP, which is federal funds allocated to NH under a broad formula as part of the federal transportation funds. Those funds must be transferred to the BoT by the NH Legislature under it budget bills.
They have been questioned in the past as the federal government has the constitutional authority to ''establish post roads'', but since no mail (post) travels over the trails... the question has remained at both the federal and State levels. The NRTP is used for several purposes... the most noted is grooming trails. Due to weather patterns and specifics of the contract timelines... these funds may go unused.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Lakes Region Casino is still in business.
Greyhound racing stopped on-site due to cost.
It changed hands due to illegal activity. https://www.fosters.com/story/news/2...o/52624717007/

The Casino changed hands recently to a holding company operated by two trust fund managers in Nevada.

To my knowledge the only registration change that could result in going from 55.20 upward would be change in gross weight (questionable) at the town clerk's office.
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa...61/261-141.htm

The State has several outward transfers of DoT monies that would come before the repeal of any funding to F&G/BoT or Marine Patrol. One such example is NRTP, which is federal funds allocated to NH under a broad formula as part of the federal transportation funds. Those funds must be transferred to the BoT by the NH Legislature under it budget bills.
They have been questioned in the past as the federal government has the constitutional authority to ''establish post roads'', but since no mail (post) travels over the trails... the question has remained at both the federal and State levels. The NRTP is used for several purposes... the most noted is grooming trails. Due to weather patterns and specifics of the contract timelines... these funds may go unused.

Partially agree. Yes , still open, but when the gambling winnings tax went in, they lost a lot of business and laid off many employees as the wire business went elsewhere. Same thing at Hinsdale. Animal protection lobbyists also had a lot to do with shutting down dog racing. As we saw with the gambling winnings tax and the doubling of registration fees some years ago, the legislature in NH can do foolish and unpredictable things.

[John Mercier]

I think money laundering was the problem.
Hart lost it years before gambling tax.

Potts purchased it after the gambling tax was in place, so they knew.
For the Potts group, I think it was the continued expense of the build out and ongoing operational losses of trying to run snowcross/motorcross events.

But I don't think that is what effected his registration cost.
The only thing I can find would be if the vehicle had a gross weight of over 8000 lbs. My calculations would put his vehicle around 10,000 pounds gross weight. But there doesn't seem to be a recent change... so questionable as to why the change really occurred.

[Merrymeeting]

I've answered my own question. Ignoring the memory drop, it had to do with the vanity plate charge. I switched to a vanity plate mid-way through the year.

[BroadHopper]

State and Federal governments are tackling the problem of lost revenue as gas usage declines, especially EVs. Most of the road use taxes are tied to gasoline purchases. One thing they are doing is increasing license fees. But that is not the solution.

There are all kinds of solutions, but one can argue that one is not the best.

The best solution is a form of VAT on vehicle purchase as well as on maintenance and fuel, both fossil and electric. The other is a mileage tax, but how would the tax collectors know how much mileage you put on?

[Descant]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

State and Federal governments are tackling the problem of lost revenue as gas usage declines, especially EVs. Most of the road use taxes are tied to gasoline purchases. One thing they are doing is increasing license fees. But that is not the solution.

There are all kinds of solutions, but one can argue that one is not the best.

The best solution is a form of VAT on vehicle purchase as well as on maintenance and fuel, both fossil and electric. The other is a mileage tax, but how would the tax collectors know how much mileage you put on?

When you get your annual inspection they collect odometer readings. Unfair to the little old lady who only drives to church and never uses state roads and a huge lump sum due at registration is hard to pay for some. You could pay quarterly, but that entails huge administrative costs.
Everything you and I can think of was discussed in some state legislature years ago. Nothing is as easy to pay and to collect as the current gas tax. Charging extra registration for EV's would be fun, but just think of the screaming involved from EV owners. Whew!.
I understand in states with a sales tax, the sales tax can be rolled into the purchase price and you finance it. Wow! Borrowing to pay taxes.

California will do something crazy and the other sates will do something only half crazy and we'll all breathe a sigh of relief at bein g only half crazy.

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

I've answered my own question. Ignoring the memory drop, it had to do with the vanity plate charge. I switched to a vanity plate mid-way through the year.

Question answered.
But what is the difference between a fee and a tax?
And why do they charge every year for vanity plate.


And yes, I have vanity plates also. SQUAM LAKE 1.

i think the added fee per year is $25.00 extra. But that too may have changed.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

And yes, I have vanity plates also. SQUAM LAKE 1.
.

You have 10 characters on one plate?

[The Real BigGuy]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

And why do they charge every year for vanity plate.

Because they can!


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[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

You have 10 characters on one plate?

Just a tad on the humor side on that one.

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

And yes, I have vanity plates also. SQUAM LAKE 1.

Hey Professor ....... how's about adding a photo to ..... https://www.facebook.com/SquamLicensePlates/photos