What is Montana Vehicle LLC?
A Montana vehicle LLC is an asset-holding LLC that allows you to purchase vehicles anywhere in the US without paying sales tax. People also use a Montana vehicle LLC to make their ATVs, UTVs, and side by sides street legal with Montana plates.
This works because a Montana LLC is a legal resident. So, savvy vehicle owners figured out that they can form an LLC in Montana and use that LLC to purchase their vehicles sales tax-free. The LLC owns the vehicle—you control the LLC. It’s a legal loophole that can save you a lot of time and money.
We make the process easier for you by offering full-service vehicle LLC registration. Here’s how it works…
How to Set Up a Montana LLC for Vehicle Registration
To set up a Montana LLC for vehicle registration, you’ll need someone experienced and affordable to set everything up for you the right way. That’s why we offer a full-service Montana LLC vehicle registration.
It’s a simplified process with a flat fee starting at $849. Here’s our process for registering your vehicle in Montana:
- 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. Thanks to Montana laws, we can make sure your vehicle LLC is anonymous.
- Using your new Montana LLC, purchase your Montana vehicle. Make sure to list your Montana LLC name—NOT your human name—as the owner.
- Send us the title work for your vehicle (or have your dealer send it). We’ll register your vehicle with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) under your LLC.
- Once we receive your title, plates, and registration from the state, we will overnight these 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).
We are the most experienced and affordable Montana registered agent service, and we’re the industry leaders in Montana vehicle LLC registration with over 30,000 active clients. If you’re serious about saving money and getting personalized expert guidance, our local staff is ready to help you today.
Why Are People Registering Their Out-of-State Cars in Montana?
People are registering their out-of-state cars in Montana for a few reasons:
- No sales tax. So if you’re buying a car in a state that imposes a hefty state sales tax, you could be saving a lot of money by choosing Montana instead.
- No vehicle inspections or emissions tests. That means you can save time and money—the time it takes to do have inspections and tests done, and the money it costs to pay for everything, including possible repair costs.
- Low annual renewal fees and the option for permanent registration. Most Montana registered vehicles are subject to low registration renewal fees. And for qualifying vehicles, you have the option for permanent registration—that means no annual renewal fees!
- Montana plates make your ATV, UTV, or side by side street legal. If your home state doesn’t give you plates for your 4 wheeler or dirt bike, you can always get Montana plates!
It all comes down to this: when you register in Montana, you pay less and you get more freedom.
How Much Do You Charge to Register Vehicles in Montana?
Our full-service Montana LLC RV & Vehicle registration is $300 plus our flat rate vehicle registration fee for your vehicle type (see table below) and includes forming your anonymous Montana LLC, professional titling services, and your first year of MVD fees. You’ll also get:
- A year of Montana registered agent service
- A secure online client account to monitor your LLC and registration
- Customer support from real local Montana business & titling specialists
- A fantastic price—$300 plus our flat rate vehicle registration fee
After the first year? Our registered agent service (which you’ll need to maintain your LLC and registration long-term) is only $49 a year. Compare that to other registered agents and law firms that will charge you hundreds of dollars for ongoing service!
Our Montana Vehicle Registration Fees
Montana vehicle registration can be a tricky process with complicated fee structures. We keep it simple: you just pay $300 (this covers same-day anonymous LLC filing) plus a flat fee based on the type of vehicle you’re registering:
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.
Advantages of Our MT LLC Vehicle Registration Service
The main advantage is that we’re an experienced local registered agent service with years of experience in LLC formation and vehicle registration. It’s what we do every day. So you could hire a big-name company to file business formation papers and figure out Montana state statutes yourself. You could retain an expensive attorney.
Or, you can skip the headache, hire us to handle everything for you at an affordable price, and and get all of these incredible perks:
- Fast & Efficient LLC Formation. Forming a Montana LLC requires you to file what’s called “Articles of Organization” with the Secretary of State. Unfortunately, these forms can be tough to figure out—especially if you’re new to the business world. But, when you hire us, we’ll file your LLC formation papers for you within 24 hours.
- Privacy Protection. Business formation filings and annual reports are public records. That means potential litigators or the general public could find your personal information. That’s why when you hire us we make sure your name and other personal information isn’t listed on the public record. Instead, we list our registered agent name and address because we want your personal information to remain private.
- Automatic Vehicle Renewal Service. Applicable new vehicle registrations are auto-enrolled for renewals, saving you time and paperwork by automatically renewing your vehicle registration with the MVD. Plus, by minimizing the number of channels your data runs through, we can better safeguard your data and help ensure your name, credit card information, IP address, browser information, and location are never stored in a public database.
- We’re in Flathead County. Montana does not have a statewide sales tax, but most counties in Montana do impose an excise tax. Not Flathead County, though! We’re not just an experienced local registered agent service—we’re situated in the perfect spot to make sure you’re saving as much as possible.
- Industry-Leading Client Account. A lot of Montana registration services spend their time and money on flashy websites and big promises. We invest our money into making sure you get the best web tools for maintaining your LLC and managing your vehicle registration.
- Unrivaled Experience. We’re not the new kids on the block with big-budget marketing campaigns. We’re the established company that’s already helped tens of thousands of clients successfully register their vehicles.
- Transparent Pricing. There’s no need to get out the magnifying glass—we’ll never try to sneak anything past you. Transparency is important to us, so you’ll never have to worry about hidden fees or an unexpected price increase.
Montana Vehicle LLC FAQs
I want to purchase vehicles sales tax-free. Why do I need to form a Montana LLC?
Anyone can purchase a vehicle sales tax-free in Montana. However, if you try to register your vehicle in any other state, you’ll likely be hit with substantial registration fees. Registering your vehicle in Montana can save you a lot of money—which is where forming a Montana LLC comes into play.
- Only Montana residents can register vehicles within the state. To register any vehicle, you’ll need to prove residency in the county you’re registering in.
- Montana gives LLCs the same rights as residents—meaning Montana businesses can purchase and own property such as cars, trucks, and RVs (motor homes).
So, when you find a vehicle you want to purchase, you will do so in your Montana LLC’s name. Because your LLC is a Montana resident, the business can legally register the vehicle. There is no need for you to move to Montana, get a Montana driver’s license, or otherwise become a resident yourself.
Will I have to pay the Montana Luxury Tax?
Some motor homes and light vehicles will be subject to a Montana Luxury Tax. It all comes down to the original MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) and current age of your RV or light vehicle:
- 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.
These fees only apply to qualifying vehicles that are 11-years-old or newer. Once the vehicle is 11 years old, you’re eligible to apply for a permanent plate instead.
It seems like a lot, we know. But if you’re planning to buy a high-value vehicle in a state with hefty sales taxes, then Montana’s luxury tax is significantly lower in comparison.
How do I buy a car in Montana with an LLC?
Once you’ve formed your Montana LLC, you’ll purchase the vehicle as usual, except that you’ll list your Montana LLC—not you, the human—as the owner on the title paperwork.
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 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!
Can I register an imported vehicle under a Montana LLC?
Imported 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.
Will I need to file a Montana Annual Report?
Yes. Montana LLC annual reports are due each year between January 1 and April 15. The report costs $20 to file. Failing to submit a yearly report will result in a $15 penalty fee, and the state could administratively dissolve your business. Thankfully, we include annual report compliance with our service. You’ll never have to worry about forgetting to file.
Looking for how our vehicle LLC registration stacks up to typical vehicle registration? Find everything you need on our Montana Vehicle Registration page.
How do I have you take care of my Montana vehicle registration renewal?
Eligible new vehicles signups are auto-enrolled for Montana vehicle registration renewal. First, we form your LLC, provide you registered agent service, and handle your initial registration. After that, our team of local experts stay on top of your everything to make sure your LLC remains in compliance with the state and your vehicle is renewed on time. The best part? You don’t have to worry about a thing—we handle it all and mail you your new tabs (and plates if necessary) when your renewal process is complete!
This service does not include vehicles with perm plates, and it does not include any type of trailers, motorcycles, side-by-sides, scooters, boats, snow mobiles, and jet skis.
What is the best address for a Montana LLC-Owned Vehicle?
If you are forming a legitimate Montana LLC to buy vehicles and motor homes under, you want to be sure you’re using a commercial building. Not all addresses for sale are created equal. For example, take a look at our competition.
There are a lot of websites out there “specializing” in Montana LLCs for holding companies, charging way more than we do with virtual offices in Helena, strip malls in Missoula, and residential homes in the middle of nowhere. Or, you’ll see attorneys from all over the state, listing a relative’s or a random person’s address here in Flathead County to get the cheaper pricing. We see Craigslist ads all the time from our competitors looking for people in Flathead County willing to let them use their address. So you pay a professional over $1,000 and you get an address they found on Craiglist? Sounds like a bad deal to us. In fact, we find it insulting to our profession.
Here’s what we’re about: we are a commercial location, own our own building, and specialize in Montana LLC-owned vehicles. We are a Montana business serving Montana businesses. This is all we do, every day, ALL DAY. We form Montana LLCs and corporations, and we act as a registered agent. This isn’t our side gig—we’re dedicated to LLC formation. Because Montana does not have business personal property tax on assets that are licensed, a lot of our clients form an LLC in Montana to purchase and register their vehicle without paying sales tax. That’s why we created the Montana LLC vehicle registration service: to make it easier to do just that.