[WSBAPT] Off Topic Referral Sought - DOL Vehicle Registration Denial - RTA Nonpayment

[Andrekita Silva]

Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

October 22, 2026

John,

I don't handle these types of cases but based on appeals I've handled in 
the DCS arena, the notice the PC received from DOL should say exactly 
how many days the deadline is for appeal.

It may be easier for PC to find a lawyer to handle the matter if the 
lawyer knows if PC has missed the deadline or still has time.

Without getting to the merits of his case, the obvious question is:

If he owns a home in King County and he is registered to vote in King 
County, what evidence does he have to prove he is a resident of Grays 
Harbor? Will his son say "Dad is with me xxx days a year." ?

The obvious reason to register a vehicle in Grays Harbor is because it's 
cheaper.

I'm sure there is administrative law or caselaw about how residency is 
determined for DOL purposes.  But, without knowing more details, and 
without having a dog in the fight; offhand I would say that owning a 
home in King and registering to vote in King seems to be reasonably 
compelling evidence of residency.

Looks like Arizona has figured out how to get the most out of 
snowbirds....

Andrekita Silva
Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva
1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 940
Seattle, Washington 98101-2509
206-224-8288
ak at seattle-silvalaw.com

On 2026/10/22 03:38 PM, John Sullivan wrote:

> Listmates:
> 
> This is way off topic and way outside my wheelhouse (although
> technically it is a tax matter). Does anyone do, or know another
> attorney who does, appeals of DOL vehicle registration denials for
> nonpayment of RTA tax?
> 
> PC, a retired King County Sheriff's Deputy, spends six months of the
> year down in AZ in an RV. He and his wife own a home in King County.
> That's where their mail goes and their voter registration is. When
> they are up here, they split their time between that home and one in
> Grays Harbor County their son owns. They have for at least seven years
> registered an auto and their RV as Grays Harbor domiciliaries. A few
> months ago, they were notified by WA DOL that neither the RV nor the
> auto could be registered until they pay back RTA tax for seven years
> as King County domiciliaries. It sounds like the tax assessment alone
> is at least $10K. the little bit of research I did suggested a 50%
> penalty and interest could be tacked on. PC does not want to take the
> position they are domiciled in AZ because he says the registration
> fees are higher and AZ has an income tax.
> 
> Anybody handle this sort of appeal? It may be too late. Again, the
> little bit of research I did suggested there is a 30-day clock running
> on appealing from the date they received notice from the DOL.
> Honestly, I know a fair amount about controlling domicile from my
> estate planning work, and I suspect at the end of the road this PC
> would be found to be domiciled in King County. What PC hopes for, is
> an attorney who could negotiate some sort of reasonable settlement or
> payment schedule.
> 
> Thanks for any information. Just not something I have ever dealt with.
> It does sound like playing the "I live in another state or county"
> lottery isn't always a winner.
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> John J. Sullivan
> 
> Attorney
> 
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