California Fuel Permits and Licenses

[OhMyGas]

What's up with the CA fuel permit?
I got a letter (flyer) today from the State Bord Of Equalfication which lists all the type of vehicles, which need a fuel permit.
One type was for CNG powered vehicles, but exempt are:
- A pivately operated passanger vehicle (i.e. the GX)
- A comercial vehicle with an unladen weight of less than 7,000lb (i.e. an F-150)
- A two-axle truck rented or leased for less than 30 days.

However there was this note:
You must pay use fuel tax to your vendor when you purchase fuel for the exempt vehicles listed above. If you do not, you must hve a fuel permit or lcense to operate the vehicle on public road in this state.

I would think that I pay this tax everytime if fill at a station.
BUT what if I fill at home???

The flyer goes on to list 3 types of fuel permits and the one appl. would be the AU Permit, the California User Use Fuel Tax Permit.

Anyone any insights to this, any thoughts?

[CraziFuzzy]

Re: California Fuel Permits and Licenses

You are technically required to pay the state fuel tax on your home fueling, but there is no mechanism for enforcing it. The theory is though, that since you are still using the roads, and the fuel tax is 'supposedly' going to build/maintain the roads, you are still obligated to pay it. I would agree, but only if the State of California finally started using road taxes for roads.

[Timon]

Re: California Fuel Permits and Licenses

If you fuel it home in CA you should have the permit but if you get it then keep track of all public refueling since you get the road tax back on every gge you buy.

[OhMyGas]

Re: California Fuel Permits and Licenses

Did some more digging, since the flyer refers to puplication 12 for more informatio on the California User Use Fuel Tax Permit.

http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/pub12.pdf

It seems to me that it also exempts the same group.

[Timon]

Re: California Fuel Permits and Licenses

Your making this too complex.

1) You only need a permit IF and only IF you get fuel from a provider that does not charge you the CA fuel tax or if you refuel at home.

2) If you meet #1 then you would pay $36 yearly for a flat rate permit for each car.

3) If you buy fuel at a public station and you keep your receipts you can get a refund for the tax paid on that fuel. The rebate is about $0.09 per GGE


At $36 the break even point is about 400 GGE's.

It's just that simple.

[purp]

Re: California Fuel Permits and Licenses

...
3) If you buy fuel at a public station and you keep your receipts you can get a refund for the tax paid on that fuel. The rebate is about $0.09 per GGE
...

Anyone know if PG&E charges the use tax? I'm guessing they do, but wanted to be sure.

[hoofnit]

Re: California Fuel Permits and Licenses

yes...

Public Purpose Program Surcharge:
Customers served under this schedule are subject to a gas Public Purpose Program
(PPP) Surcharge under Schedule G-PPPS.
The Transportation Charge includes state tax of $0.07000 per therm ($0.08932 per
gallon) and federal tax of $0.14342 per therm ($0.18300 per gallon). The gasoline
gallon equivalent conversion factor is 1.276 therms.
For billing purposes, the number of gallons will be compiled from a Summary of
Transactions recorded by the dispensing unit for the Customer during the month.
The Customer’s total charges are subject to adjustment for the applicable
proportionate part of any taxes or governmental imposition which may be assessed
on the basis of the gross revenues from such sales.

[johnny 99]

Re: California Fuel Permits and Licenses

I have read the various postings, and I think I am more confused than before I started....

I drive a '09 Honda Civic GX, and have Phill unit at home (installed with local City building permits). I have sent my paperwork off to PG&E. (Authorization to Charge Residential Rate). Is there something else that I need to do with regard to this fuel permit issue? If so, this is the first I have heard of this.

Thanks

[Tax Counsel]

Re: California Fuel Permits and Licenses

Johnny ~ Here's a link to the CA State Board of Equalization Publication 84:

http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/pub84.pdf

It describes the conditions under which you would need a SBE permit.

If you conclude you need an "AU" permit, here's a link to the application:

http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/boe400fta.pdf

At $36/year, the permit is affordable enough to more than off-set the cost of non-compliance if you're caught. If your factual situation requires a permit, I recommend you obtain one.

TC