Our Montana Vehicle Registration Process
When you hire us for service, we take care of everything for a flat fee starting at $849. Here’s how we help you buy a vehicle sales tax-free using a Montana LLC:
- Sign up for our Montana LLC vehicle formation service. We’ll submit your documents to the Secretary of State and overnight your LLC formation paperwork.
- Using your new Montana LLC, purchase your Montana vehicle. Make sure to list your Montana LLC—not you, the human—as the owner.
- Send us the title work for your vehicle (or have your dealer send it). We’ll register your vehicle with the DMV under your LLC.
- We overnight your registration documents to you. Once we receive your title, we upload it into your online account and send you the physical copy via USPS Ground Advantage™ within 10 business days (tracking number included).
Benefits of Montana Vehicle Registration
Montana vehicle registration offers several benefits, but the most well-known one is the huge savings. We’re not talking pennies and dimes here. We’re talking thousands of dollars saved when you purchase and register your vehicle using a Montana LLC.
But there are plenty of other reasons to register your car in Montana. Here’s a rundown of key benefits:
- No Sales Tax. Montana is one of the only states that doesn’t impose a state sales tax. This means that when purchasing a vehicle in Montana, you will not have to pay the sales tax that many other states charge. So if you’re being a high-ticket item like a car, boat, or RV, you can expect significant savings.
- No Annual Inspections. Montana does not require annual vehicle inspections, which is a requirement in many other states. This can save time and money, particularly for those who live in states with stricter vehicle inspection regulations.
- Lower Registration Fees. Montana has some of the lowest vehicle registration fees in the country, especially for larger, more expensive vehicles. This makes it an attractive option for people who own high-value cars, RVs, or trucks. The best part? Certain vehicles are eligible for a low one-time fee for permanent registration!
- Low Property Taxes on Vehicles. Montana has lower property taxes on vehicles compared to some other states. This can make it an attractive place to register cars, particularly for those who own multiple vehicles.
- Privacy-friendly. Montana is known for its privacy-friendly vehicle registration laws. When registering a vehicle in Montana, you have the option of hiring a Montana registered agent (like us!) to keep your personal information off public records. This can provide some protection for individuals who wish to maintain a lower profile, such as owners of luxury cars or high-end RVs.
- Tax Benefits for Businesses. If you own a business and operate vehicles in Montana, you might be able to take advantage of certain tax deductions related to business use of vehicles, especially if those vehicles are registered in Montana.
Navigating vehicle registration in Montana on your own is a pain. That’s why we have a team of experts who can do it for you. Here’s everything we include when you hire us to handle your LLC vehicle registration:
- Anonymous LLC formation. Your total LLC cost is $300 (or more if you qualify for the luxury tax), and it will be done in one day.
- Initial vehicle registration. Your total registration cost, including the DMV fees, is between $549 and $749 depending on the type of vehicle.
- A year of registered agent service. The first year of registered agent service is included. It’s all-inclusive and provides you with industry-leading web tools to maintain your LLC.
- Lower registered agent fees. Our registered agent service is only $49 a year. Our competitors will charge you hundreds of dollars without including anywhere near the resources we provide you.
- A Montana business address. We list our real commercial address on your company’s formation documents, not yours.
- A secure online account. We provide custom LLC Articles of Organization, initial resolutions, and an LLC operating agreement specifically geared toward Montana LLC holding companies.
- Annual report compliance. Maintaining an LLC and Montana registration means you’ll have some time-sensitive deadlines to look out for. We send several real-time compliance reminders before your due date, and then we’ll take care of your filing on your behalf for just $50 plus state fees. If you’d rather file on your own, you can just cancel service in your client account.
- Vehicle registration renewal. Automatic renewal for applicable new vehicle signups ensures your vehicle registration renewal is an efficient and timely process for you. This service does not include vehicles with permanent plates, and it does not include any type of trailers, motorcycles, side-by-sides, scooters, boats, snow mobiles, and jet skis.
At a flat rate of $300 + our registration fees, our Montana LLC vehicle registration basically saves you the hassle. With us handling the process, you don’t have to juggle multiple providers. You don’t have to worry about costly mistakes. And you can rest assured we provide reliable registered agent services with a real permanent business address in Montana.
The table below shows the total cost for registration ONLY, including UPS delivery of your title, registration and plates back to your mailing address:
Type of Vehicle | First Year Vehicle Fee* |
---|---|
Vehicle/RV/Boat | $749 |
Trailer/5th Wheel | $649 |
ATV/Motorcycle | $549 |
– Starting July 1, 2023, a new Electric Tax of $70-$1,100 is being added by the State Legislature for Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles. The tax amount is based on the type of vehicle (electric or plug-in) as well as the vehicle weight (divided into 4 “classes” of vehicle based on gross weight).
– Montana applies a luxury tax on certain vehicles based on their value at the time of registration. For “light vehicles” with an original MSRP at or above $150,000, the luxury tax is $825. For motor homes and RVs with an original MSRP at or above $300,000, the state charges $800.These fees only apply to vehicles less than 11 years old.
So, your overall cost will be the registration fee above for your vehicle plus $300 for forming your anonymous LLC, serving as your registered agent, and providing you all premier business services all of our LLC clients enjoy.
Once you submit your order, we’ll get to work right away. Your plates, registration, and new Montana title will be sent directly to you.
Montana Vehicle Registration FAQs
What Does it Cost to Form a Montana LLC for a Light Vehicle?
Our total price for forming your MT LLC and your MT Vehicle Registration includes all the secretary of state and initial county DMV fees. (It doesn’t include GVW fees it it’s a light truck. See below.) It also includes the first year of our registered agent service and the use of our address in Montana. You can get the whole package for $1,049.
What Are The Benefits of Using a Montana LLC to Own a Car or Pickup?
In addition to sales tax and property tax-free vehicle registration, you can reap another benefit of Montana residency through your LLC: permanent plates. If your car, truck or van is 11 years old—or as soon as it reaches that age—you’re eligible to pay for permanent plates. That means that you pay a one-time fee of $130.00 and never have to worry about annual registration again.
The other big reason to buy your vehicle with your Montana LLC is asset protection. Your LLC is the owner, and our address is on record. Your name and address stay off Montana Secretary of State and DMV records.
How do I register my out-of-state vehicle in Montana?
- Get a copy of your Montana Articles of Organization.
- Form a Montana LLC with the Montana Secretary of State.
- Fill out an Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle (form MV1).
- Include a title or Certificate of Origin—if necessary, also a bill of sale.
How Long Will it Take to Register My Vehicle in Montana?
Times can vary from 8-12 weeks depending on the state’s workload. If you hire us to handle things for you, we offer same-day LLC formation and DMV registration in order to expedite the process as much as possible. So if you purchase your MT vehicle as soon as your MT LLC is formed and overnight us the title work, you can have Montana plates as quickly as possible.
In a hurry to get on the road? We’ve got you covered. For an additional $75, we’ll get you temporary plates in as little as 10 business days.
Can I register more vehicles under my Montana LLC after signing up?
Yes, you can easily register more vehicles under your Montana LLC. Here’s how:
- Log in to your client portal.
- Select “Vehicle Registrations” from the menu.
- Select “+ Vehicle” at the top right corner of the page.
- Follow the instructions to place your vehicle registration order in just a few minutes!
Registering your first vehicle? If you’re already a client and looking to register a vehicle under an existing LLC we’ve formed for you, you can follow the same steps above to register your first Montana LLC-owned vehicle!
Will I have to pay the Montana Luxury Tax?
That depends. Here’s a quick breakdown of how the Montana Luxury Tax works.
- Light Vehicles. If you own a light vehicle (typically a car or pickup truck) with an original MSRP equal to or greater than $150,000, then you will need to pay an $825 annual luxury tax until the vehicle is 11 years old.
- RVs/Motor homes. If your vehicle has an original MSRP equal to or greater than $300,000, then you will need to pay an $800 annual luxury tax until the vehicle is 11 years old.
The good news? If you’re planning to buy a high-value vehicle, the Montana luxury tax is significantly lower than what you’d pay in state sales tax.
Purchasing a $500,000 car in Florida? That’d be $35,000 in sales taxes. If you choose to register that car in Montana instead, you’ll pay $800 a year until the vehicle is 11 years old.
That means even if it’s a brand new car, you could save at least $25,000 in sales tax by registering with a Montana LLC!
Will I have to pay a county option tax?
That depends on the county. For example, we’re in the City of Kalispell, so you can hire us to register your vehicle here and you don’t have to pay a county option tax like you would with our competitors in other counties.
If you’re registering on your own in another county, you can find your county’s website and contact information through the Montana MVD’s County Location finder.
How do I register a vehicle with a Montana LLC if I have a lien?
If you currently have a lien or may have a lien in the future, this process is a little more complicated. In some cases, this process cannot be completed if you have a lien. For more information regarding registration with a lien, please contact us.
Can I register an imported vehicle under a Montana LLC?
Import vehicles have a very different set of requirements. If you have an imported vehicle that you’re looking to have us register under a Montana LLC, please contact us.
Why is Our Montana Light Vehicle LLC Different?
We understand Montana LLC formations and vehicle registrations through and through. We ARE the leader in Montana LLC formations. We file more LLCs in Montana than any other law firm or national incorporation website. Why? We provide more initial tools, great documents, and ongoing compliance tools for Montana businesses. It’s all we do.