You will need to understand and comply with use tax laws in the states where the vehicles are located. Second, Montana does not require vehicle emissions tests or annual inspections. After the bond expires, a new Montana title may be issued without the bond designation and expiration date. Well, that will come out to $35,925 in sales tax. The car dealer or the owner can send the vehicles title work to your registered agent, who will then file the registration. Special mobile vehicles are registered, but not titled. The exact name of your LLC has to be listed as the buyer. Yes, you really can register your car in Montana with no sales tax. To wrap up, you must register your vehicle to own it and drive it legally. Dont poke the bear! UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Choose a subscription to save and fill them out at any time effortlessly. The single permanent decal for snowmobiles is white and includes the abbreviation PERM. It's a strategy that you can agree with or not.. I use South Dakota through Americas Mailbox. Permanent registration Under 61-3-321, MCA all street-legal motorcycles and quadricycles must be registered permanently. The vehicle must display the license plate or decal from both its home state and from Montana. Pickup campers are an exceptionthey must be titled, but are not registered. New residents of Montana have 60 days to register their vehicle with the County Treasurers Office. Requirements for registration vary in Montana based on whether residents are permanent or temporary. Depending on the circles you travel in, Id be willing to bet that you probably see many Montana plates if you frequent RV parks or car meets. Annual registration Under 61-3-529, MCA fees are imposed on commercial and heavy vehicles in lieu of property taxes. We may earn a commission from links on this page. The court has requested the legislatures attention to this law. He teaches a popular bi-weekly webinar, Tax Tuesday, where business owners and investors can ask any tax question and get answers LIVE on-air. Seems I can do everything by mail from a company like Americasmailbox. It really is that simple. 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 A Montana LLC (Limited Liability Company) combines aspects from other business entities: corporations, partnerships, and sole-proprietorships. It is a One-time Fees for Motorboats (including Motorized Canoes and Motorized Rubber Rafts), Personal Watercraft, Motorized Pontoons and Sailboats. New residents must apply for a Montana vehicle title and register their vehicles within 60 days of establishing residency. 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. Of course we'll pay some ridiculous price for insurancebut we'll still save money in the end compared to renting. After your LLC has been formed, your agent will provide you with all the required documents to start the registration process. All title, registration and license plate fees are required. If it's anything like California all of those things can be handled automatically by a third party for a small fee. I use zen business. Usually, sales tax has to be paid even when youre buying a second-hand car, which is quite harsh. Your exotic or expensive car or RV is purchased by your LLC. A fee of $800 is assessed for motorhomes with retail values over $300,000. Im sure lots of people had the same questions that many of the TV viewers did: Why would somebody register a vehicle in Montana but not reside there? Theres no longer a need to spend money on attorneys to create your legal papers. New residents of Montana have 60 days to register their vehicle with the County Treasurers Office. Why? Eventually, it will fail, and it will cause your vehicle to fail the emissions test in a costly way. Subscribe to US Legal Forms to download, print, and complete legal templates without bounds. This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. 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. In certain circles, Montana registration is a touchy subject. The age is determined by subtracting the model year from the current year. According to Montana state law, falsifying your address or other personal information in the Snowmobiles that are used exclusively as rentals may be registered annually for the first two years, after which they must be permanently registered. Do a quick Google search and see the various people who ended up being audited trying to defend this scheme. Its a riska cheap thrill, echoes Zuckerman, the LA lawyer. Both my husband and I have a German and International Driver's license. John McCoy is a lifelong car and truck enthusiast and has a strong mechanical background off the road. The next section discusses how you can form it. Not surprisingly, other states don't appreciate this tactic because they depend heavily on vehicle registration fees and tax revenue. "My car was stolen and the insurance company won't pay me." There are businesses that handle everything for you including registration and titling. Where 10 years agothe sight of a Ford GT sporting a blue Montana plate would be rare, adriveto the popular Friday morning car gatherings at Newcombs Ranch outsideLA reveals that even relativelypedestrian 911s carryMontana plates. I decided to pass on his offer. Your Vehicles Will Be Registered In Montana Which Has No Sales Tax. Heres where Id be worried even if I thought I could dodge the IRS. Yes, I know, you are going to argue that you dont own the car - the LLC does. However, Montana isn't currently We all know the benefits of registering your vehicle under a Montana LLC, namely no sales tax. If the latter, maybe it's no issue since we'd be selling and leaving the country". Non-residents are those who do not live in Montana but want to register here. A strong reference would be the case of Thomas v. Bridges, 2013-C-1855 (Sup. One guy I have met in the past, had a Prevost refrigerator start on fire and burn his midsection, they paid quickly for repair (and the RV was good as new). Its very difficult to get insurance. The initial filing fees are around $70, and annual maintenance costs are around $20. Theres a couple of reason why you shouldnt do this: The IRS knows about this scheme and will say, Nice try, but no.. Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 23 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and Michigan lemon law. So let me start by setting the stage and then hopefully someone can give the pros and cons of each option. Montana Highway Patrol Salary and Retention Fee $10.30, $10 Montana Highway Patrol Salary and Retention Fee, county tax, $9 optional state parks support, certain special plate fees and, for light trucks, the gross vehicle weight (GVW) fees, $5 insurance verification fee if existing plates are kept on the vehicle, $10.30 Montana Highway Patrol Salary and Retention Fee, $5.15 insurance verification fee if existing plates are kept on the vehicle when permanently registered. Non-residents have to first set up an LLC and purchase the vehicle under the LLC to be exempt from paying the sales tax. Well walk you through how this isnt necessarily a deal breaker, even if your vehicle is financed. $262.00. You have to get a registered agent to handle business matters in state, a FEIN, a bank account for the business, pay the state a yearly fee to keep the business registered and all the other State and Federal responsibilities that come with an LLC. You own the LLC outright. So, thats my final word on this. How about the blue-collar guy who has grown his business over the years, has a fleet of work trucks, and is buying more? Your exotic or expensive car or RV is purchased by your LLC. The LLC registers and plates the vehicle in Montana. You pay no sales or use tax and then bring your car to whatever state you live in and drive the vehicle with tax-free impunity. The only downside is that you have to put an ugly Montana plate on your vehicle. Montana has no inspections and no emissions tests required for vehicle registrations. It must be with you at all times of driving. These states, however, might have adjusted rates for other types of taxes. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Pickup campers are an exceptionthey must be titled, but are not registered. Imagine youve bought a 2022 Corvette Stingray for $70,000 in Florida, where the sales tax rate is 6%. Note: When we say car, were referring to all the vehicles Montana DMV defines as light-vehicle. Driving an unregistered vehicle is a crime. If youre not a resident, you can still enjoy this option by forming an LLC and purchasing your vehicle under the LLCs name. Renew your registration online today. Montana sapphire gravel commission for a client! 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. Not break the law because you dont agree with it. 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. Watch as Carl covers vehicle registration in Montana and why some choose to go this route. Then, once a year, you will be required to pay directly to the DMV the following fees: 0-4 years old. $5 insurance verification fee if existing plates are kept on the vehicle. 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. Luckily, even if youre a non-resident, you can form a Montana LLC and purchase the vehicle under the LLC to gain the same privilege. The best part about purchasing your vehicle in Montana is that they dont have sales tax. Include the bill of sale as well. Or you could tell them anything other than the previous parenthetical sentence, which would be a lie. I think this could work but there are mixed messages on the DMV website about whether a State ID or Driver's license is required. As I have noted in the past, the solution is to get the law changed. The largest collection of professionally-composed, state-specific official paperwork is close at hand. Turns out, you dont have to pay the sales tax on your vehicle if youre a resident. Security interests on newly purchased vehicles or vehicles new to Montana are filed at 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. national average state and local sales tax, Top 5 Electric Motorcycles & Scooters of Barcelona 2019, Buying a UTV Lift Kit: Everything You Should Know, REGISTER YOUR CAR IN MONTANA - THE EASY WAY, Writing off Your Vehicle Under a Montana LLC. Have you ever wondered why you see so many expensive cars with Montana license plates on them? However, the Louisiana Department of Revenue found out about the purchase and claimed that Mr. Thomas owed the state money in terms of unpaid taxes. Its a $750 value, and youll walk away with a custom tax reduction plan designed specifically for you. Your agent might be able to speed this process up at some extra cost. The practice of registering a collectible car there, regardless of where itislocated in reality, is done in orderto avoid paying taxes and shirkemissions standards. It's easier to establish this chain of ownership if you form an LLC in Montana prior to purchasing a vehicle. We totally get it. Your bill of sale, title applications, and anything else regarding the title work has to be original, although it's OK if your LLC paperwork is a copy. Terms Of Service. A legal loophole lets owners of expensive cars avoid taxes and emissions standards in other states. That is a pretty lousy deal assuming you still like the car or truck and want to keep it but arent interested in pouring money into fixing emissions equipment, much of which may still be operating but not well enough to pass the test. But withtighter emissions standards enactedinConnecticuton July 22, Colorado legislators slated next month to discussrequirements to significantly lower toxic air pollutionby 2027, and a handful ofautomakers including BMW, Volkswagen, and Fordrecently backing the USEnvironmental Protection Agencysdecision to restore California's ability to set its own strict tailpipe and zero-emission vehicle standards, debate is heating up over how far to go to avoid restrictions. Registration Fee Schedule Additional fees for motor homes are based on the age (model year subtracted from the current year) of the vehicle. As the attorney in this relationship, I have to be the one to tell you the bad news, and its twofold bad news. Along those lines, your first thought might be rich people taking advantage of Montanas complete lack of sales tax. (California State Police have started cracking down on theresidentialdiscrepancies ofdriverspulled over for other infractions with California licenses and out-of-state plates.) RVs are a highly desirable item to register in Montana because they are high-ticket items. Thats not the point. The broader answer to this question is no, registering a vehicle in Montana is not just for the super-rich. Registration Rate, 61-3-321(2)(d), MCA based on the age of the vehicle, determined by subtracting the model year of the vehicle from the calendar year for which the registration fee is As illustrated in the case of Thomas v. Bridges, 2013-C-1855 (Sup. When we form a Montana LLC for you, we include the LLC formation fee and plate registration all for a total of $849. That question depends on a lot of variables. Search for how to register my car in Montana and youll see a dozen sites offering services Gotta pay for it somehow.. Registration Fees. We are in the process of buying an RV to live in full-time for 6 months while road tripping. Suppose he is purchasing ten units and owns a business in LA. A security interest is an interest in personal property that secures payment or performance of an obligation. For example, a 2006 Porsche 911 in 2022 would be 16 years. The reasons why Montana vehicle registrations are so popular expand to businesspeople. Beginning January 2006, the registration of a commercial or heavy vehicle expires 12 months from the month in which it was first registered. 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. Well, this might not just be your imagination. To register them elsewhere is to effectively cheat the system that California officials set in place to help reduce air pollution for all. Examples? Your vehicles will be registered in Montana which has no sales tax. Annual registration Under 61-3-321(7), MCA motor-home owners pay a fee in lieu of taxes, based on the age of the motor home. This fee applies to vehicles valued at $150,000 or more at the time of registration. I will quickly answer why. However, Montana isn't currently cracking down on shell corporations set up for the sole purpose of purchasing vehicles in the state because state law doesn't require someone to specify the LLC business purpose when they register the LLC. Registration fees are due upon renewal or transfer of ownership. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) does not issue or control Montana driver licenses, in-state vehicle license plates, or in-state vehicle registration. Depreciation Multiplier for Calculating County Option Tax. I didnt think I would like Texas. Successful registration means that the state has identified you as the owner of the vehicle. On the national average of 7.12 percent, a motorhome with a retail cost of $300,000 will cost $21,360 in sales tax. And you are merely driving your company car. Even though the company is a sham set up for the sole purpose of evading taxes. For further information on this process, contact your county treasurer or the Montana Department of Revenue. In addition to normal registration fees, individual counties in Montana may also impose a so-called local option tax of up to 0.7% of avehiclesretail value, providingdirect revenue. Once your vehicle is 11 years old, you can file for permanent registration. Companies help facilitate it. This is a phone call I get too often . This is not chump change, even for those who can afford it. Or your truck. Its comical., Randy Nonnenberg, the founder of BAT, is more circumspect, although hes quick to say he has nopersonal vehicles bearingMontana plates. Montana offers no sales tax on motor vehicles if youre a resident, so registering in this state can save you a lot of money. And if your tax rate is around ten percent, that tax bill will punch through $38,000. DM me if you have questions. But hey - you saved thousands of dollars! This can be an individual or another organization that accepts legal and state documents on behalf of your LLC. As of August 2021,Big Horn, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Phillips, and Richland countieslackedthat local option tax. Copyright 2023 Anderson Advisors. To register, you must visit the County Treasurers Office with the documents mentioned in the Requirements section. Your registration can take up to several weeks. Yes! We'd do this in my husband's name as I don't want to be committing tax fraud in some way as a U.S. citizen. Its clear why people register vehicles in Montana. No sales tax.. There are businesses that handle everything for you including The decal must be placed in a conspicuous place on the left side of the cowl. Our goal is to broaden your understanding of this process and whether or not it is right for you. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Missouri car sales tax loophole 2020 / missouri medicaid expansion will it bust the budget or pay for itself / missouri has recent rate changes (wed jul 01 2020). At the time, theBozeman Daily Chronicleestimated that the proposed tax could raise $2.5 million annually for the state. We don't believe that its for us to lecture that person to do that or not. The single decal for trailers is the same as the decal for permanently registered light vehicles. Unlike the first two, this registration does not need to be renewed as long as the ownership remains the same. In the worst-case scenario, the state can impound your car, and you can face prison time for a maximum of 90 days. The last rates update has been made on july 2021. Thats correct; no nagging smog checks. Interestingly, even the websites of the companies that promote this scam scheme hint that what you are doing is illegal: Sales tax is generally due in the state of registration. Car owners from Mendocino, Calif., to Miami aretitling collectible cars in Montana, evenespecially, in factif they dont live there. Last but not least, there is the idea that this process has to be highly complicated. Some states are taking measures to crack down on residents who set up shell corporations in other states, including suing for tax evasion. Many see it as asmart move. I read an article recently that Massachusetts conducted police patrols in RV parks flagging folks with Montana plates. Be sure to place it in the correct spot, as improperly placed stickers could lead to tickets and fines. Of course not! The county clerk may ask you to complete a. You can schedule online or by calling 888.871.8535. Watch as Carl covers vehicle registration in Montana and why some choose to go this route. Got an idea for a future Coffee with Carl? Send it to Carl at cwc@andersonadvisors.com. Tax Attorneys, CPAs & EAs who specialize in working with businesses and investors. The bigger question is why haven't they passed laws to close the loophole rather than doing "high profile scare tactic raids"? Registration rates can differ based on the age of the vehicle, which is found by subtracting the model year from the calendar year. Fees for heavy vehicles are based on the age (model year subtracted from the current year) and rated capacity of the vehicle. Tagged: Montana, Montana Registration, Montana LLC, outofstateseries. Oh, thats interesting, I thought. So how much can the affluent benefit from a Montana car registration? You may have to BUY your RV in Montana, to make it easier. The fine people of Montana drive and register all kinds of vehicles, all of which are sales tax-free to register. And as we touched on before, Montanas lack of inspections and emissions testing are strong reasons. Those with permanently-registered vehicles do not have to take any registration action. You can save a bundle of cash and ditch those smog checks, inspections, and possibly renewals. Yeah thats lame. Montana residents do not have to pay the sales tax on their vehicles. Permanent registration Under 61-3-321(9)(a), MCA all travel trailers must be permanently registered. Tax Attorneys, CPAs & EAs who specialize in working with businesses and investors. People from states usually have staggering sales taxes and oppressive inspection requirements to contend with just to get on the road. Guide: How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Real Esta How to Invest in Real Estate with No Money, Why 2023 is the Year you Create a Land Trust. 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Vehicles title work to your registered agent, who will then file the registration of a commercial heavy! You must register your car, were referring to all the required to... Just be your imagination bond designation and expiration date is an interest in property! Hopefully someone can give the pros and cons of each option tagged: Montana,,... As improperly placed stickers could lead to tickets and fines raids '' to understand and comply with tax! Registrations are so popular expand to businesspeople commercial or heavy vehicle expires 12 months from the calendar year from. May ask you to complete a successful registration means that the state well, this does. Unlike the first two, this might not just for the state has identified you as the owner send! Advantage of Montanas complete lack of inspections and no emissions tests or annual inspections to establish this chain of if!