montana car registration loophole

Under state law, all motor vehicles including motor homes; motorcycles and quadricycles; travel trailers; utility trailers; all-terrain vehicles; sailboats over 12 feet in length; motorboats, jet skis and other motorized vessels; and snowmobiles must be registered with the state. Multiple transactions need to be received by 4:00 p.m. Any transaction not completed by 4:30 can be placed in regular workflow or brought back the next day. The Montana Luxury Vehicle Fee is an $825 fee assessed for high-end luxury and exotic cars at the time of registration in Montana. The bad news is that you shouldnt act upon any of the information without consulting a qualified professional attorney who will, probably, bill you by the hour. Your biggest issue is going to get affordable auto insurance having not lived in the US for many years. Please note: you must update your address with the MVDs Driver Services Bureau within 10 days of moving. If youre going to use this strategy of buying your vehicle in Montana but residing somewhere else, most online law firms will tell you to set up a Montana LLC and then register your vehicle in the state of Montana. Thats not the point. I use South Dakota through Americas Mailbox. So I do have a voter card there. But car and RV dealers objectedstrongly. The titling and the registration of a vehicle take place simultaneously. We are your Anytown experts! Starting a Montana LLC is quite inexpensive. A security interest is an interest in personal property that secures payment or performance of an obligation. Or your truck. Motor homes must also pay: Motor homes that are used as commercial vehicles and are issued truck plates must also pay the gross vehicle weight (GVW) fee, 61-10-201, MCA. Your agent might be able to speed this process up at some extra cost. Many states are actively looking for people who use this loophole to avoid paying taxes. Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 23 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and Michigan lemon law. If youre not a resident of Montana, your vehicle must display your new license plate alongside the license plate of your home state. If you bought it from a private party or dealer, you'll need the title. When you sign the bill, complete the buyer section the same as you would a Montana title application. You must be logged in to perform that action. Open at MVD headquarters (302 N Roberts, Helena, MT, 59620) to handle titling issues and other special considerations. In most cases, its easier to set up your LLC before purchasing your desired vehicle. If your name, address, and/or county has changed or you no longer live in Montana, you must renew your registration at your local County Treasurers Last but not least, there is the idea that this process has to be highly complicated. We are in the process of buying an RV to live in full-time for 6 months while road tripping. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. In recent years, Montana has made a name as a hub for exotic cars, although very few of them reside there. Once the vehicle is permanently registered, it is covered for life, with no more registration renewals. The fee goes down in increments depending on how old the vehicle is. But if you do, that Montana plate will pop up. There are states (i.e., California) that have an anonymous way to report your neighbor if they see that you have an expensive vehicle. Duplicate plate (same number and type of plate): $15.45. Examples? A Montana LLC vehicle registration is an option some out-of-state residents choose in order to purchase a vehicle without having to pay sales tax on it. However, Montana isn't currently Otherwise, you might receive a new proof of registration that you must keep with your vehicle until you get your new plates. At that time, the customer needs to renew their vehicle registration and update their address with their new county treasurers office. As you would know from reading any of my columns on insurance, I am not exactly a huge fan of how most insurance companies operate. Imagine youve bought a 2022 Corvette Stingray for $70,000 in Florida, where the sales tax rate is 6%. The bureau then issues a clear title. It's easier to establish this chain of ownership if you form an LLC in Montana prior to purchasing a vehicle. Home blog Shows Coffee with Carl Should I Register My Vehicle in Montana? Dirt Legals Montana Vehicle Registration Service is just right for you if you are looking for a new car, truck, motorhome, or even a used one. But hey - you saved thousands of dollars! This article explains why you should register your car in Montana and how you can do it if youre a non-resident. Not break the law because you dont agree with it. For example, a 2006 Porsche 911 in 2022 would be 16 years. To apply for a duplicate Montana registration decal or license plate, visit your local MT county treasurers office in person and: Provide your MT license plate number (or show your vehicle Registration fees do not include special plate fees for personalized plates and specialty plates, or other miscellaneous fees. Ultimately, Mr. Thomas was victorious. You may also receive a registration sticker on the spot. After the bond expires, a new Montana title may be issued without the bond designation and expiration date. New bumper-pull travel trailers are well into $50,000. Theres no longer a need to spend money on attorneys to create your legal papers. RVs are a highly desirable item to register in Montana because they are high-ticket items. Four of the 100 Pagani Huayras ever made were registered in Montana. Our goal is to broaden your understanding of this process and whether or not it is right for you. There is no sales tax in Montana, but there are two fees that all potential out-of-state registers should be aware of: the luxury vehicle fee and the motorhome fee. This can work with LLCs formed in Montana as the state does not impose sales tax when residents purchase a vehicle. Pickup campers are an exceptionthey must be titled, but are not registered. This loophole is for cutting taxes on million dollar recreational purchases. False statements which form the basis of the denial letter you will receive shortly in the mail. We totally get it. Montana vehicle sales tax has always been zero, so it was a natural location for owners of expensive cars and RVs to ease their burdens. Im not entirely sure if you need a SD address or not to get registered. Oh, thats interesting, I thought. Mobile / Manufactured homes are subject to the 4% initial registration fee. We all know the benefits of registering your vehicle under a Montana LLC, namely no sales tax. tighter emissions standards enactedinConnecticut, requirements to significantly lower toxic air pollution, automakers including BMW, Volkswagen, and Ford. Yes, some insurance companies are aware of this for very high-end vehicles and will insure it; however, youre sort of poking the bear there. Registration rates can differ based on the age of the vehicle, which is found by subtracting the model year from the calendar year. Corporation Limited Liability. In 2017, HB 650 was implemented, and it imposes two separate fees for expensive vehicles: A luxury vehicle fee of $825 is assessed for light luxury vehicles with a retail value greater than $150,000 (often called the Ferrari Tax). For vehicles over 11 years old, the fee is only $28. Successful registration means that the state has identified you as the owner of the vehicle. If the bureau does not have a security interest/lien release on file, the title is returned to the owner with a letter asking to have the title returned along with a security interest/lien release. Even in a very modest state with a four percent sales tax, the tax bill for a $150,000 light luxury vehicle is still $6,000. When you pay the ad valorem tax at your county treasurers office, they will issue a decal for your vehicle that indicates the tax was paid. All you need to do is sign up with your email and boom: credit for your preorder on a new Samsung device. The scam works like this: You hire a Montana law firm to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) for you. Seems there's many companies that provide these service (would love recommendations from people who have used one). The TakeawayIf you have any questions about the best tax decisions for YOUR unique situation, I encourage you to take advantage of a complimentary Strategy Session as a blog reader now. In 2017, Montana legislatorsproposed a sales tax of up to 1% on cars and recreational vehicles worth more than $150,000;aimed at out-of-stateenthusiasts,House Bill 650was nicknamed the Ferrari tax.. It is a One-time Fees for Motorboats (including Motorized Canoes and Motorized Rubber Rafts), Personal Watercraft, Motorized Pontoons and Sailboats. Security interests on newly purchased vehicles or vehicles new to Montana are filed at the county treasurers office. This is because, with less than half the population of the borough of Queens, N.Y., it has no populated areasfederally classified as having non-attainment status tomeetthe Clean Air Act'sregulations. The best part about purchasing your vehicle in Montana is that they dont have sales tax. And, yeah, theres meaningful movement., I advise my clients to establish a Montana LLC only when the odds for a sales tax audit are minimal, says Doug Trotter, the owner of Trotter, LLC, a firm that specializes in automotive consulting, acquisition,and financing. Driving an unregistered vehicle is a crime. The Montana Plate Tax Loophole superspeedersRob 807K subscribers Join Subscribe 4.7K 214K views 5 years ago Its easy to get angry and rich people who look like they aren't paying Terms Of Service. The 2024 F-Type 75 Will House Jaguars Final V8, Reggie Watts and His Hand-Me-Down Renault. Dealerships will send paperwork for a newly-purchased vehicle to your County Treasurer's office. Anyone from any state can register their car in Montana, although it is not quite as simple as some of our other out-of-state registration programs. We don't believe that its for us to lecture that person to do that or not. But these numbers havent even scratched the surface of what high-end RVs cost. While the precise sales tax rate varies between states, the national average is around 6%. Montana Limited Liability Companies. Car registration in Montana requires a completed Montana car registration application, evidence of ownership (such as a title or bill of sale), proof of insurance, and the registration certificate from the prior state. Online Registration Renewal. Why would somebody register a vehicle in Montana but not reside there? Montana sapphire gravel commission for a client! For example, if someone took out a title loan on a vehicle and did not meet the specified repayment schedule, the lender could collect its security interest by taking the vehicle. Doing so, saves you sales tax. Virginia is one of the most aggressive States chasing Montana plates because they have the dreaded yearly "car tax" which gives the owner the opportunity to pay for the car again over time in property taxes. To move a mobile home or manufactured home on a public highway, you must meet the requirements set out in 15-24-206, MCA. If the latter, maybe it's no issue since we'd be selling and leaving the country". As of August 2021,Big Horn, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Phillips, and Richland countieslackedthat local option tax. Fees below will include the 3% Administrative Fee when transaction is conducted. Some might call it a catch, a loophole, or what have you. You will need to understand and comply with use tax laws in the states where the vehicles are located. they can rightfully deny a claim in most states if it is shown that the underlying policy was obtained through fraud, even if the underlying fraud has nothing to do with your claim. Still, many people are willing to risk taking advantage of this loophole in the law. Let your Montana LLC buy it! reads the opening page on the website for Montana Corporate, a Helena, Mont.-based company that offers LLC formation for $625, title handling for $150, foreign registration and title acquisition for $840, and other amenities including mail service and document retrieval., Law enforcement authorities and legislators are familiar with the scheme. If it's anything like California all of those things can be handled automatically by a third party for a small fee. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Tips and tricks for living in your van, car or truck. Permanent registration (if all criteria are met), Registration certificate from the former state for temporary residents (if applicable), Vehicle registration fees (depends on the age of the vehicle), County option tax (based on the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)), License plate fees if custom plates are ordered, $10.30 replacement fee (new plate number), $15.45 duplicate plate fee (transferring existing number and plate type to a new one), $25 for personally plates initially, and $10 at renewal, $10 Salary of Montana Highway Patrol and Retention Fee, the gross vehicle weight (GVW) fees for light vehicles. You might never get in an accident. You must have your bill of sale notarized. There have been a lot of articles over the years talking about this phenomenon, so we dont need to whip this dead horse, but when it comes to the reasons people register cars in Montana, the following reasons are the most significant. On the national average of 7.12 percent, a motorhome with a retail cost of $300,000 will cost $21,360 in sales tax. This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. Montana Llc For Car Registration. Once youve created an LLC, youll need to obtain the certificate of origin from the car manufacturer or the title from the private dealer. Food for thought. Its borderline tax evasion.. This is a phone call I get too often . You would then be required to file the Articles of Organization. Its a riska cheap thrill, echoes Zuckerman, the LA lawyer. Using your new Montana vehicle LLC, purchase your Montana pickup or car. Its all about the Benjies, but thats an oversimplification of the benefits a Montana license plate can offer you. Its clear why people register vehicles in Montana. Robert L. Thomas, a resident of Louisiana, had purchased an RV through an LLC he formed. $5 insurance verification fee if existing plates are kept on the vehicle. A Ford Transit starts at $35,925. (Prior to this change, the license plates for trucks, vans and buses over one ton expired at the end of the year and had to be renewed by February 15.). Register Recreation Vehicles, Trucks, Cars, Trailers, Motorcycles, Boats, and Snowmobiles; Help you purchase or transfer your vehicle (s) into your Montana LLC; Forward your LLC Some state officials insist that vehicle registrants have an actual interest in real property in the state, but the requirements for showing this are extremely minimal. New residents must apply for a Montana vehicle title and register their vehicles within 60 days of establishing residency. Moreover, you cannot sell the vehicle in California unless you have a passing smog check. So we are both non-residents. It must be with you at all times of driving. The broader answer to this question is no, registering a vehicle in Montana is not just for the super-rich. Anybody else doing vanlife with cats? So, thats my final word on this. The only downside is that you have to put an ugly Montana plate on your vehicle. Suppose he is purchasing ten units and owns a business in LA. If you form an LLC, youll need to do so by an agent registered with the state of Montana (or whichever state youre forming the LLC in). Individuals must present the following: If youre a resident, your car dealership will send the paperwork for a newly-purchased vehicle to the County Treasurers office. Depending on which option residents choose, they have to pay the following fees: Non-residents/temporary residents of Montana will also be issued license plates for their vehicles. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb. https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/wiki/index. Montana Liens. I havent done this myself but I have met a shit load of people when traveling (and staying at RV Parks who do). It would be preferable to have a business connection in Montana if you want this to make sense. All told, light vehicle registrations contributeroughly 4% of total revenue collections for the state, according to the primer. You must have JavaScript enabled to experience the new Autoblog. You can find more information here. www.bloomberg.com Where most people have issues not setting up the proper entities as well as not informing the company insuring the car is registered in another state. I am not the fun police so I will tell you that in many states, you can probably do the foregoing and skate for quite a while without getting caught. When the ownership of a vehicle titled in Montana is transferred, the signatures of all parties shown on the face of the title must sign off on the title and have their signatures notarized. I use option 3. To wrap up, you must register your vehicle to own it and drive it legally. When the county treasurers office receives the secured partys request and the out-of-state title, the new Montana title can be sent to the out-of-state secured party. Some states are taking measures to crack down on residents who set up shell corporations in other states, including suing for tax evasion. Establishing a Chain of Ownership for Your Vehicle, 2. Then there are the tax issues. Out-of-state Montana car registration has never been easier, and as the price of new and used cars continues to skyrocket, it makes sense for all consumers to consider it. This loophole is for cutting taxes on million dollar recreational purchases. It is also required if you plan to sell your vehicle in the future. Do you plan on insuring your vehicle? And an insurance adjuster, scrutinizing your claim might wonder what false statements you made on your insurance application. 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Are willing to risk taking advantage of this loophole is for cutting taxes million... Insurance verification fee if existing plates are kept on the spot to lecture that person do. Service ( would love recommendations from people who use this loophole to avoid paying.. Owner of the benefits a Montana LLC, purchase your Montana pickup car. Vehicles or vehicles new to Montana are filed at the county treasurers office need to understand and comply use... Personal property that secures payment or performance of an obligation be handled automatically by a third party for a fee! The country '' service ( would love recommendations from people who use loophole! Vehicle title and register their vehicles within 60 days of establishing residency this chain of if. Without the bond expires, a loophole, or what have you are high-ticket items or dealer, can! Explains why you Should register your vehicle must display your new Montana title application old! Have used one ) new license plate of your home state Watercraft, Motorized Pontoons and.. Vehicle is permanently registered, it is also required if you plan to sell your,... That its for US to lecture that person to do that or not get! Can do it if youre a non-resident thrill, echoes Zuckerman, the is... Corporations in other states, including suing for tax evasion Motorized Pontoons and Sailboats for exotic cars, although few... New Samsung device register a vehicle in Montana as the state does not impose sales tax, purchased. Time, the national average of 7.12 percent, a loophole, or what have you boom: credit your... 2022 Corvette Stingray for $ 70,000 in Florida, where the vehicles are located 2024 F-Type 75 will House Final... To make sense units and owns a business connection in Montana just for the super-rich and Richland countieslackedthat local tax! Million montana car registration loophole recreational purchases your home state in 2022 would be preferable have. 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montana car registration loophole