Automobile Tax Exemption
The Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) enforces the exemption of eligible foreign missions and their members from payment of any taxes when buying, leasing, registering or titling a motor vehicle. The following procedures are linked with requesting and acquiring a tax exemption on purchases or leases of official or personal motor autos by eligible foreign missions and their members within the United states. A “motor vehicle” is defined as any self-propelled automobile, such as but not restricted to automobiles, motorcycles, boats, and aircraft.
The exemption of product sales and use taxes imposed on purchases or leases of motor automobiles during the U.s. within the basis with the diplomatic or consular status or accreditation in the paying for foreign mission or accredited mission member and their dependents is solely authorized via the issuance of a Motor Vehicle Tax-Exemption Letter by the Department’s Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) on the seller or lessor of this kind of motor automobile. Note that Diplomatic Tax Exemption Cards are not legitimate for exemption from taxes imposed on purchases of motor autos.
For this reason, prior to finalizing a invest in or lease of the motor vehicle, all foreign missions and their accredited members have to instruct the seller/lessor to straight speak to OFM while in regular organization hrs to request the issuance of a Motor Automobile Tax-Exemption Letter.
Motor automobile sellers/lessors may make this kind of requests by electronic mail or phone.
Sellers/lessors in Maryland, Virginia, or even the District of Columbia ought to direct requests to OFMTaxCustoms@state.gov or (202) 895-3500, x2. Sellers/lessors outside this region must direct requests on the nearest OFM Regional Workplace:
• Chicago: OFMCGCustomerService@state.gov or (312) 353-5762
• Houston: OFMHOCustomerService@state.gov or (713) 272-2865
• Los Angeles: OFMLACustomerService@state.gov or (310) 235-6292
• Miami: OFMMICustomerService@state.gov or (305) 442-4943
• New York: OFMNYCustomerService@state.gov or (646) 282-2825
• San Francisco: OFMSFCustomerService@state.gov or (415) 744-2910
Sellers/lessors must offer the following information and facts to OFM:
one. The seller/lessor’s identify, mailing tackle, and telephone and fax numbers;
2. The color, 12 months, make, and model on the motor car the mission or accredited mission member is arranging to get; and
three. For official motor vehicles: the name of the foreign mission which is buying or leasing a motor automobile; or
four. For personal motor motor vehicles: the title (because it appears on their present “A or G series” visa) within the accredited mission member or their dependent who is getting or leasing a motor vehicle, the name of your foreign mission to which the individual is assigned, and the individual’s Department-issued Personal Identification Variety (PID). (Note that men and women will need to existing proof of accreditation on the seller/lessor - i.e., valid passport which includes their existing “A or G series” visa, or Department-issued protocol identification card, or Department-issued driver’s license, or Department-issued Diplomatic Tax Exemption Card.)
OFM strives to transmit Motor Automobile Tax-Exemption Letters on the requesting seller/lessor by both electronic mail or facsimile inside of two hours of obtaining the request.
Sellers/lessors are demanded to send all authentic ownership documents straight to OFM so that the motor vehicle may be adequately registered and titled. Automobile dealerships and state motor motor vehicle administrations ought to treat this transaction as an out of state registration. OFM will concern a registration card and federal license plates the moment suitable documentation is obtained. Also, a title are going to be sent on the indicated lien holder to protect the curiosity with the loan company.
