Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM August 2017 | Page 22

Taxing Matters GCTO’s Newest Partnership! By: Cheryl E. Johnson, PCC Galveston Co. Tax Assessor Collector [email protected] Texas is a boating paradise and boasts nearly 577,000 registered water vessels ranging from jet skis to 180’ in length. With over 400 miles of coastline in Galveston County and water opportunities ranging from the mostly peaceful waters of Dickinson and Highland Bayous and Clear Lake to the more tumultuous Galveston Bay, Intercoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico. Whether kayaking, canoeing, surfing, skiing, fishing or lazing along on a pontoon party boat, the water and various methods of floatation provide plenty of fun for all. Why all this talk about boats? The Galveston County Tax Office has partnered with Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) and began in July to provide water vessel (boat) registration and titling services to its 15,000 boat owners. Services were launched in July and are currently available in the Galveston, Santa Fe and League City branches. By mid-August, services will be extended to the Texas City Branch and both satellites (Friendswood and Crystal Beach). Of course, the La Marque Parks and Wildlife office continues to provide services as does TPWD online (http://tpwd.texas.gov/). GCTO is a one-stop-shop as boats, outboard motors AND trailers may be titled and registered in our offices and you may obtain replacement Certificate of Number ID cards, change or correct your name or address. An additional bonus of doing business with us is that we accept debit and credit cards (note a merchant fee is charged by our banking vendor)! Unlike vehicle registration services, visitors from across Texas may obtain boat registration services in any GCTO office (boat trailers must still be titled in the County of residence or at that second home in any of Galveston waterfront communities). Be sure to tell friends headed to the coast that we are ready, willing and able to help with renewals or replacement ID cards! TPWD requires all motorboats, outboard motors and sailboats 14’ or larger (or those with an auxiliary engine) to be registered. Canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, rubber rafts and vessels less than 14’ (if paddled, poled, oared or windblown as long as a trolling motor has not been added) are exempt, as are out-of-country vessels temporarily using Texas waterways, those owned by a governmental entity and ship lifeboats. Registrations may be renewed up to 90 days prior to expiration and are valid for a period of two years. Residents new to Texas have up to 90 days to register their boat in the State. Registration fees range from $32 to $150, depending on the length of the boat. Only US Coast Guard documented vessels are exempt from applying for a Texas title but these vessels must be registered if used in Texas and Coast Guard documentation MUST be current in order to renew registration. Additional information is available online (www.galcotax.com and select the TPWD Boat Registration link) along with frequently used TPWD forms. Happy boating! 21 MOMENTUM / August 2017