(1) The Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1940 exempts house trailers owned by nonresident military personnel from the excise tax imposed by RCW 82.50.020. (2) The Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act does not exempt the house trailer of nonresident military personnel from the license fee requirement of RCW 46.16.010, et seq. when the house trailer is moved over and along the public highways of this state.
(1) and (2). Under the soldiers and sailors civil relief act as recently construed by the United States supreme court, nonresident military personnel stationed in Washington can either license their motor vehicles and house trailers in their home state or license such vehicles in Washington without having to pay the excise tax imposed upon residents of this state by chapter 82.44 RCW and chapter 82.50 RCW. (3) The department of motor vehicles may, upon receipt of a proper application and proof, make refunds to nonresident servicemen who have under a mistake of law paid the motor vehicle excise tax in licensing automobiles in this state, provided the claim for refund is made within a period of two years from the date of payment.