Class Action Lawsuit against California Rip-off Sales Tax?

[El Huapo]

My complaint: You or I buy a new Ram that MSRP's for $50K as an example. Say it has been discounted by $20K for this discussion. So you pay $30K. When the State of California's Sales Tax is figured, it is figured on the $50K price, even though you paid $30K. So there goes an extra $1600 plus out of your pocket por nada. Maybe other states have this scam going too, I don't know but feel free to chime in if so.
A past example: Some years back, older friends of mine who had worked in California and earned a retirement benefit there then moved to another state to retire to. The Great State of California was making them pay State of California Income Taxes on the retirement benefits (money) that had been earned years before in California even though they didn't live there anymore. Someone started a Class Action Lawsuit and the Great State of Taxifornia lost it's case and refunded the money.

Now I'm sure a lot of "Other Folks" who don't live here are getting a hoot out of this and that's fine. Just please don't hog the forum bandwidth with counter-productive remarks, thanks.

My question: Does anyone know if this particular issue has already been or is being addressed in a lawsuit? Is anyone out there cozy enough with a good lawyer who would like to take this on? I'm old and ornery enough, but don't have the money or energy to take this to its end. It probably should be a much younger person who lives closer to a city with bigger courts to do this, I'm in a podunk with few resources.
To the Forum Moderators: This is about money more than politics, so don't dump on it, thanks. We know that both sides in the California Legislative body are in cahoots to grab our dollars, so this should count as non-partisan. I hope so anyway.
To all forum readers: Thanks for putting up with my rant and I hope I got it out there in a comprehendible manner, apologies if not.

 

[chri5k]

Wow, leading with your chin. It is a long uphill battle but the way to change this is through the ballot box.

 

[El Huapo]

Wow, leading with your chin. It is a long uphill battle but the way to change this is through the ballot box.

True enough, but I only get to vote for 2 of those folks at a time.

 

[crash68]

How is that even legal, taxing you on money your not spending. I bet they charge sales tax if you sell you car to a family member for what the KBB retail is on a used vehicle. SMH
No such scamming here in Michigan, if you sell your car to a family member no tax is charged.

 

[El Huapo]

How is that even legal, taxing you on money your not spending. I bet they charge sales tax if you sell you car to a family member for what the KBB retail is on a used vehicle. SMH
No such scamming here in Michigan, if you sell your car to a family member no tax is charged.

Hi Crash, No, no taxes when selling or giving to family. Not even requiring a smog check---now that surprises me.
But you're exactly right---"How is that even legal?" So I think there might be a case there, but maybe it's old news and already been lost, dunno. I bought my truck in December for $29K, discounted from $42K, but I had to pay tax on the $42K. I just read on one of the other threads that another person mentioned the same rip-off and have been stewing on it since and the class action idea came up---takes me a long time, I know, but you work with what you got, right?

 

[Graygoose]

Over taxed in California?

 

[KeithP]

To be clear; I am not an attorney or tax expert by any stretch of the imagination. Reading your initial post your “past example” refers to tax on income while your complaint is about retail sales tax. Seems like two different colored horses to me. Not saying your complaint isn’t legitimate, just that your comparison may not be a usable argument. I’ve done exactly two smart things in my life. One was marry a woman 7 years younger and who is at least twice as intelligent as me. And Two, I didn’t argue when she wanted to move here to Texas 27 years ago.

 

[Midknight]

I believe if those were rebates they are treated like the manufacturer made payments for you and thus is taxable in many states.

 

[Musky Mike]

Same in Virginia, tax on MSRP regardless of the sale price.

 

[El Huapo]

To be clear; I am not an attorney or tax expert by any stretch of the imagination. Reading your initial post your “past example” refers to tax on income while your complaint is about retail sales tax. Seems like two different colored horses to me. Not saying your complaint isn’t legitimate, just that your comparison may not be a usable argument. I’ve done exactly two smart things in my life. One was marry a woman 7 years younger and who is at least twice as intelligent as me. And Two, I didn’t argue when she wanted to move here to Texas 27 years ago.

Understood, different horses, yes. Only showing that the State doesn't always win---especially if when "most" people would say "Whaaat?"