(1) Introduction. This rule addresses the watercraft excise tax, including an overview of the tax, exemptions from the tax, and the watercraft depreciation schedule used to determine a watercraft's fair market value. The rule also addresses administrative issues including payment, interest and penalties, and includes examples.

(2) Examples. This rule includes examples that identify a number of facts and then state a conclusion. These examples should only be used as a general guide. The tax results of other situations must be determined after a review of all the facts and circumstances.

(3) Definitions and terms. The following definitions and terms apply throughout this rule.

(a) "Dealer" means a person, partnership, association, or corporation engaged in the business of selling vessels at wholesale or retail in this state. RCW 88.02.310.

(b) "Fair market value."

(i) In cases where the most recent purchase price of a vessel is known to the vessel owner, "fair market value" means the purchase price of the vessel in the year it was purchased. For subsequent years, "fair market value" means the purchase price of the vessel depreciated according to the schedule in subsection (6) of this rule. RCW 82.49.040.

(ii) In cases where a vessel has been acquired by lease or gift, or the most recent purchase price of the vessel is not known to the vessel owner, "fair market value" means the appraised value of the vessel determined according to subsection (7) of this rule. RCW 82.49.050(1).

(iii) In cases where the department determines that the purchase price stated by the owner is not a reasonable representation of the true "fair market value" of the vessel, the department must appraise the vessel according to subsection (7) of this rule. RCW 82.49.050(2).

(c) "Owner" means a person who has a lawful right to possession of a vessel by purchase, exchange, gift, lease, inheritance, or legal action whether or not the vessel is subject to a security interest, and means registered owner where the reference to owner may be construed as either to registered or legal owner. RCW 88.02.310.

(d) "Powerboat" means any vessel sixteen feet or longer, other than a sailboat, that uses mechanical power as a method of propulsion.

(e) "Sailboat" means any vessel sixteen feet or longer that is capable of using sails as a method of propulsion. A vessel is considered a sailboat regardless of whether the vessel is also capable of using mechanical power as a method of propulsion.

(f) "Vessel" means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water, other than a seaplane. RCW 88.02.310.

(g) "Waters of this state" means any waters within the territorial limits of this state as described in 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1312. RCW 88.02.310.

(4) Overview of the watercraft excise tax.

(a) The watercraft excise tax generally applies to vessels measuring sixteen feet or more in overall length. The tax is imposed for the privilege of using a vessel upon the waters of this state, except those vessels which are exempt from the tax under subsection (5) of this rule and under RCW 82.49.020. The tax is imposed on an annual basis and is equal to the greater of five dollars or one-half of one percent of a vessel's fair market value.

(b) Persons required to register a vessel with this state under chapter 88.02 RCW who fail to register their vessel and avoid paying the watercraft excise tax are guilty of a gross misdemeanor and are liable for any unpaid excise tax. The department must also impose the penalties authorized under subsection (9) of this rule and under RCW 82.49.080 and chapter 82.32 RCW.

(c) When a person first registers a vessel in this state, the watercraft excise tax is imposed beginning with the month in which the vessel is registered through the following June 30th. In cases where the initial registration period is less than twelve months, the watercraft excise tax is prorated according to the number of months covered by the registration period. The initial registration is valid from the month of registration through the following June 30th.

(i) The department of licensing may extend or diminish the initial registration period for purposes of staggered renewal periods under RCW 88.02.560.

(ii) A vessel is considered first registered in this state if in the immediately preceding twelve month period the vessel was not registered in this state or was registered in another jurisdiction during the same period.

(iii) Example 1. Watercraft excise tax computation - Initial vessel registration.

Facts: Dan Carter purchases a 20 foot powerboat from a Washington dealer in April 2022. The purchase price is $20,000. Dan is a resident of Washington. Dan registers the vessel with the department of licensing shortly after his purchase, in April 2022.

Result: The department of licensing will issue a registration decal for the vessel covering the registration period of July 2021 through June 2022 and collect the annual watercraft excise tax liability for this registration period in the amount of $25 ($20,000 (purchase price) x .005 (watercraft excise tax rate) x .25 (3 month prorated period April – June 2022)).

(5) Exemptions. The following types of vessels are exempt from watercraft excise tax:

(a) Those exempt from vessel registration under RCW 88.02.570;

(b) Those used exclusively for commercial fishing purposes;

(c) Those measuring less than sixteen feet in overall length, including personal watercraft;

(d) Those owned and operated by the United States, another state, or any municipality or subdivision thereof;

(e) Those owned by a nonprofit organization or association engaged in character building of children under eighteen years of age and solely used for such purposes;

(f) Those held for sale by a dealer, but not rented on a regular commercial basis; and

(g) Those owned by Indian tribes and tribal members, used in the exercise of treaty fishing rights, and exempt under WAC 308-93-720.

(6) Depreciation schedule.

(a) RCW 82.49.040 requires the department to prepare a depreciation schedule annually, for use in determining the fair market value of vessels, which is the measure of the watercraft excise tax. The following schedule includes separate depreciation rates for three categories of vessels, including a column for the number of years the vessel has been owned and columns for the depreciated percentage of the vessel's value by vessel type. First, vessel owners must determine the appropriate column to use, depending on the type of vessel they own. Second, vessel owners must identify the depreciated percentage of value for their vessel according to the row which corresponds to the number of years they have owned the vessel.

(b) Example 2. Standard sailboat registration renewal.

Facts: Deborah Peters purchased a sailboat in September 2017. The purchase price of the sailboat was $40,000. Deborah is a Washington resident and the sailboat is used exclusively upon Washington waters. In June 2022, Deborah renews the vessel's registration for the upcoming annual period of July 2022 through June 2023.

Result: Deborah will use the column titled "Sailboat" to determine the fair market value of her sailboat. Since Deborah bought the sailboat within the annual period of July 2017 through June 2018, that period is considered Year 1 for purposes of ownership. Accordingly, the period of July 2022 through June 2023 is considered Year 6 for purposes of ownership. The depreciated value of the sailboat in Year 6 is equal to 68 percent of Deborah's initial purchase price of $40,000, or $27,200. Deborah is subject to watercraft excise tax in the amount of $136 ($27,200 (fair market value) x .005 (watercraft excise tax rate)).

(7) Vessel appraisal.

(a) If a vessel has been acquired by lease or gift, or the most recent purchase price of a vessel is not known to the owner, the department must appraise the vessel before it can be registered for use upon the waters of this state.

(b) If the department determines the purchase price of a vessel reported by the vessel's owner at the time of its registration is not representative of its fair market value, the department must appraise the vessel to determine its fair market value. If the appraised value is less than the reported purchase price, the department will issue a refund of the overpaid tax. If the appraised value is greater than the reported purchase price, the department will notify the vessel owner of the additional tax liability, which must be paid within thirty days of the department's notice.

(c) If a vessel is homemade, the vessel's owner must make a notarized declaration of its value. See RCW 82.49.050(3) for more information.

(d) For purposes of this subsection, "appraisal" includes the use of industry pricing guides, other evaluation tools, and independent appraisals in order to ascertain the fair market value of a vessel.

(8) Disputes related to a vessel's fair market value, appraised value, or taxability.

(a) Any vessel owner who disputes a vessel's computed fair market value under RCW 82.49.040, appraised value under RCW 82.49.050, or taxable status may request a review of a tax assessment by filing a petition with the department as provided in WAC 458-20-100 (Informal administrative reviews).

(b) If the vessel owner's petition is denied, the vessel owner may appeal to the board of tax appeals as provided in RCW 82.03.190. In deciding the case, the board of tax appeals may require an independent appraisal of the vessel, the cost of which must be shared between the vessel owner and the department.

(9) Administration.

(a) Payment of tax. The watercraft excise tax is due and payable to the department of licensing, county auditor, or other appointed agent at the time the vessel is registered. A registration will not be issued or renewed until the watercraft excise tax is paid in full. For previously registered vessels, watercraft excise tax is due at the time of the vessel's registration renewal and must be paid prior to the start of the vessel registration period, which covers the period of July 1st through June 30th of the following year.

(b) Refunds. Taxpayers who overpay the watercraft excise tax in full or in part at the time of a vessel's registration are eligible for a refund of the overpaid tax. Taxpayers are also entitled to receive interest according to RCW 82.32.060. See RCW 82.49.065 for more information regarding refunds.

(c) Penalties and interest. An owner of a vessel that is not registered as required under chapter 88.02 RCW and that avoided payment of the watercraft excise tax is liable for the following penalties and interest:

(i) One hundred dollars for the owner's first violation;

(ii) Two hundred dollars for the owner's second violation;

(iii) Four hundred dollars for the owner's third violation and any successive violations;

(iv) The penalties prescribed under chapter 82.32 RCW; and

(v) The interest prescribed under chapter 82.32 RCW.