montana car registration loophole

To wrap up, you must register your vehicle to own it and drive it legally. Like, in the police report. Depreciation Multiplier for Calculating County Option Tax. So I do have a voter card there. Sorry, I dont know the insurance company nameI was sort of interested in the conversationbut I owned my 5th wheel outright. 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. Its wild to think about, but there are plenty of cars that easily MSRP over half a million dollars, and if you are in a state that collects, say, seven percent in sales tax, you are looking at a staggering tax bill of $35,000 or more. Security interests on newly purchased vehicles or vehicles new to Montana are filed at the county treasurers office. 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 Permanent registration Under 61-3-321(3)(a-b), MCA all trailers must be permanently registered. The LLC registers and plates the vehicle in Montana. Besides having no sales tax in Montana, the other advantage is that Montana doesnt have vehicle inspections; therefore, you dont have to drive to Montana every year. Dont poke the bear! Montana Lien Entry Form | US Legal Forms Montana Lien Entry Form. Husband is German citizen. Search for how to register my car in Montana and youll see a dozen sites offering services I don't like the waiting time either as it's wasting time for us. The court has requested the legislatures attention to this law. Okay, so back to the exotic cars. A Ford Transit starts at $35,925. Are you sure about purchasing in Montana to avoid sales tax? By going this route instead of buying it as an out-of-state resident, they avoid hefty sales taxes. Or your truck. Or you could tell them anything other than the previous parenthetical sentence, which would be a lie. To do so, motorists must meet the states eligibility requirements and qualify to receive a registration. They have a garage full of super cars with South Dakota plates (and we live nowhere near South Dakota. A provision in the Montana Code allows owners of a light vehicle that is eleven years old or older to permanently register the vehicle for only $87.50. I get asked from time to time about the so-called Montana License Plate Scam: Can you safely register your vehicle in Montana and drive it in your non-Montana home state? Under 61-3-321(10)(a)(i), MCA all boats, personal watercraft and motorized pontoons must be permanently registered. Terms Of Service. This loophole is for cutting taxes on million dollar recreational purchases. I read an article recently that Massachusetts conducted police patrols in RV parks flagging folks with Montana plates. Permanent registration does not transfer with the motor home when there is a change of ownership. You can register directly from the County Treasurers Office. If you purchased the vehicle from a private party, send in the title the private party gave you, with either the LLC name or your name listed. Now, the question is: Should you do this? The current registration and plates remain active until the registration expires. If the prime movers for Montana license plates on cars that dont live in Montana are exotic cars, then its got to be for the super-rich, right? So your best bets are to pay for repairs to get it to pass, or you can sell it to the state, which will dismantle it. Not break the law because you dont agree with it. The next section discusses how you can form it. 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. If youve ever driven around town, and said, You know, thats a nice Ferrari. For example, the age of a 2011 model year Chevrolet passenger car registered in 2018 would be 7 years, resulting in a registration rate of $87 (plus 3% Administrative fee). Copyright 2023 Anderson Advisors. Your exotic or expensive car or RV is purchased by your LLC. Title fees are required. A strong reference would be the case of Thomas v. Bridges, 2013-C-1855 (Sup. Security Interest Filing Fees $8.24 for a security interest on all motor vehicles, including boats, trailers and snowmobiles. Close observers would also have noticed a detail far more polarizing than the semi-lavender paint job:The Turbo came with a clean Montana title in the name of the sellers LLC, the listing said. There is also the misconception that only rich people can get a Montana registration or benefit from having one. The single permanent decal for off-highway vehicles is white and includes the abbreviation PERM. Suppose he is purchasing ten units and owns a business in LA. Montana Llc For Car Registration. Hire the top business lawyers and save up to 60% on legal fees. A provision in the Montana Code allows owners of a light vehicle that is eleven years old or older to permanently register the vehicle for only $87.50. If you form a Montana LLC and have it purchase and take title to a motorhome or RV, you won't owe any sales tax in Montana. What Is the Montana Luxury Vehicle Registration Fee. Heres where Id be worried even if I thought I could dodge the IRS. 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. Please note: you must update your address with the MVDs Driver Services Bureau within 10 days of moving. We run BAT shipping, so we see where people are moving all the cars around. The Montana LLC scheme has been around for a long time, and Montana-based lawyers continue to promote this. The bureau then issues a clear title. Oh, thats interesting, I thought. However, if you want to be exempt from the sales tax, you must register your vehicle under your Montana LLC. Eventually, it will fail, and it will cause your vehicle to fail the emissions test in a costly way. You may also have noticed quite a few South Dakota license plates, which is not a coincidence. Submit your completed vehicle registration packet. $5 insurance verification fee if existing plates are kept on the vehicle. https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/wiki/index. Montana residents will receive their license plates upon registration, where the expiration date and registration period are displayed. This fee is in addition to: Fee Schedule for Buses, Heavy Trucks and Truck Tractors. These states are Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Oregon. The best part about purchasing your vehicle in Montana is that they dont have sales tax. 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. Help you to eliminate sales tax on the purchase of your new RV and how to manage your annual state vehicle taxes. For businesses, the customer account number is the federal employer or tax identification number or, in the absence of these, the number assigned to the business when it registered with the Secretary of States office. The largest collection of professionally-composed, state-specific official paperwork is close at hand. $262.00. But these numbers havent even scratched the surface of what high-end RVs cost. So lets run the numbers according to these: The $150,000 light luxury car sales tax at 7.12 percent will cost $10,680. 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. We aren't so concerned about those costs when you consider that renting an RV for this duration would be around 40k. The court ruled that even though the LLC was formed solely to avoid the sales tax, it was formed legally. Non-residents have to first set up an LLC and purchase the vehicle under the LLC to be exempt from paying the sales tax. Motor vehicles registered in the State of South Dakota are subject to the 4% motor vehicle excise tax. Please renew your license plates during the month shown on your license plates at the county treasurers office in the county you reside in. Otherwise, you might receive a new proof of registration that you must keep with your vehicle until you get your new plates. The car dealer or the owner can send the vehicles title work to your registered agent, who will then file the registration. In certain circles, Montana registration is a touchy subject. In the end, I dont recommend anyone doing this. Weve got plenty of those. If the insurance company finds out what you are up to, they can deny your claim because you have a Montana-registered vehicle while driving 100% in California. Can anyone legally register their car in Montana? One of the most common questions when registering a vehicle under an LLC in Montana is about vehicle inspections. Last but not least, there is the idea that this process has to be highly complicated. But I am the first to point out that 1.) Organ-Donor and Brain-Injury Awareness When you register your vehicle, you may make a donation of $1 or more to organ-donor and traumatic brain-injury education and support programs. Customer Identification Numbers Under the Montana Enhanced Registration & Licensing Information Network (MERLIN) system, all titling and registration transactions are recorded as part of a customers unique account: For individuals, the customer account number is the driver license or state or tribal identification card number. You only need to stay there to get your ID. 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. If youre not a resident of Montana, your vehicle must display your new license plate alongside the license plate of your home state. Toby is an attorney on a mission to help investors and business owners keep and grow more. Yes! Requirements The registration must be done through the County Share it with your network! Theres a couple of reason why you shouldnt do this: The IRS knows about this scheme and will say, Nice try, but no.. If law enforcement stops you, theyll demand to see it. Subscribe to US Legal Forms to download, print, and complete legal templates without bounds. Naturally, he was exempt from paying the sales tax. I was thinking, Huh, Montana. 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 But this is not limited to fast cars and expensive motorhomes. Theres no longer a need to spend money on attorneys to create your legal papers. If you purchase a vehicle from someone and no record of the title can be found, you may apply for a bonded title in accordance with 61-3-208, MCA. 5-10 years old. Then, ensure the exact name of your LLC is listed as the buyer of the car. The scam works like this: You hire a Montana law firm to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) for you. On the other hand, if you live in the land of ten percent tax rates, that will be fifty grand in taxes! The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) does not issue or control Montana driver licenses, in-state vehicle license plates, or in-state vehicle registration. Montana offers two significant benefits. 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. 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. You can find more information here. Choose a subscription to save and fill them out at any time effortlessly. If you decide to go however, you can stay one night, and have your ID and plates in hand. According to AARP, the national average state and local sales tax comes in at 7.12 percent. Both my husband and I have a German and International Driver's license. Thanks for subscribing. There are a few extra steps, but they are worth it in the long run to secure the kind of savings and benefits on offer. Otherwise, you're responsible for the A fee of $800 is assessed for motorhomes with retail values over $300,000. Can be from a hotel or campground. Whatever your views are on smog and emissions (we all think smog is gross), we all know that smog gear on cars makes them less reliable and less efficient, and smog gear is always failure-prone. All you need is a passport or birth certificate along with a campground or hotel receipt to get the ID. He spent over 13 years in the U.S. Air Force as a crew chief, assigned to the B-1B Lancer, affectionately known as the Bone to those in the community, and the KC-135R Stratotanker. Do a quick Google search and see the various people who ended up being audited trying to defend this scheme. Home blog Shows Coffee with Carl Should I Register My Vehicle in Montana? Montana Llc Company For Cars. This is not chump change, even for those who can afford it. As of August 2021,Big Horn, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Phillips, and Richland countieslackedthat local option tax. As illustrated in the case of Thomas v. Bridges, 2013-C-1855 (Sup. Montana license plates and Montana vehicle registration are not just for the super-rich, although they do benefit significantly. Online Registration Renewal. 9 S. Broadway Ave., Suite F Red Lodge, MT 59068. You have a choice: Tell the insurance company the truth (I live in Michigan, drive the vehicle almost exclusively in Michigan, store it and park it in Michigan, but have Montana plates on it in the name of a sham LLC.) If you tell them the truth, will they insure the car? You can then purchase your vehicle under the LLC. 3 min read. Make sure to list your LLC as the owner. In California, by contrast, owners must ensure that all vehicles made after 1975 meet emissions standards and can pass safetyinspections. New residents must apply for a Montana vehicle title and register their vehicles within 60 days of establishing residency. Want High Quality, Transparent, and Affordable Legal Services? A legal loophole lets owners of expensive cars avoid taxes and emissions standards in other states. Once the vehicle is In recent years, Montana has made a name as a hub for exotic cars, although very few of them reside there. Pay (All) Fees. They were listed at $2.5 million each. 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 due. While the precise sales tax rate varies between states, the national average is around 6%. In addition to advising clients and investing in his own real estate projects throughout the United States, Toby is a member of the Forbes Real Estate and Finance Council and has authored several books, including Tax-Wise Business Ownership (now in its fourth edition) and 12 Steps to Running a Successful Business. Value as determined by the NADA guide and corresponding bond. While it's legal to purchase pricey vehicles and avoid paying sales tax in Montana, other states frown upon the practice when their residents set up LLCs out of state for the sole purpose of avoiding these taxes. Speak with an Anderson Professional Advisor to get your FREE Tax Plan Strategy Session. So, an industry has sprung up to assist people from other states who want to take advantage of Montanas laws while living elsewhere. Establishing a Chain of Ownership for Your Vehicle, 2. But hey - you saved thousands of dollars! You may order presentation ready copies to distribute to your colleagues, customers, or clients, by visiting https://www.parsintl.com/publication/autoblog/. 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? You can get reusable templates specific to your state laws for any occasion in I can't figure out if that is needed before the registration can happen or if it's when you want to get your SD driver's license eventually. You want to register your car or truck in Montana to save some dough on sales tax. They create an LLC in Montana and then buy and register the vehicle in the LLC's name. I thought sales tax was based on where the vehicle gets registered. 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. Individuals employed in Montana can be considered temporary residents, and they are required to register their vehicle with the state. If someone previously registered a vehicle in another state, the Montana DMV will require him or her to show a proof of sales tax payment. You must renew your registration by the end of the following month, which is indicated on the registration decal on the rear license plate. Although, of course, they benefit from it in more staggering monetary amounts. Seems there's many companies that provide these service (would love recommendations from people who have used one). Any erasures or deletions on the title void the document. 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. We totally get it. For what its worth. For more information, see the License Plates page. Others acquirea mailbox address or property at whichthey can claim Montana residency. 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). 5 Star Registration includes all these fees in our service. It's a strategy that you can agree with or not.. Second, Montana does not require vehicle emissions tests or annual inspections. Not so fast, Slick. Montana sapphire gravel commission for a client! 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. 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. All rights reserved. Not sure about the insurance part. A new Montana title is not automatically issued once the secured parties have released their interest. The single decal for trailers is the same as the decal for permanently registered light vehicles. The exact name of your LLC has to be listed as the buyer. The fee goes down in increments depending on how old the vehicle is. Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm PST. 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. Include your LLC's address in Montana. The bigger question is why haven't they passed laws to close the loophole rather than doing "high profile scare tactic raids"? You can schedule online or by calling 888.871.8535. 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. tighter emissions standards enactedinConnecticut, requirements to significantly lower toxic air pollution, automakers including BMW, Volkswagen, and Ford. If youre going to use this strategy of buying your vehicle in Montana but The decal must be placed in a conspicuous place on the left side of the cowl. The registration must be done through the County Treasurers Office. First, it does not charge sales tax on personal property. Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 23 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and Michigan lemon law. Sidestepping Sales Tax on Large Vehicles, Chain of ownership document (original copies). 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. Still, many people are willing to risk taking advantage of this loophole in the law. Car owners from Mendocino, Calif., to Miami aretitling collectible cars in Montana, evenespecially, in factif they dont live there. The first two refer to the duration before which the registration needs to be renewed. The circumstances through which ownership was acquired including proof of ownership. Companies help facilitate it. 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).

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