Been hearing a lot of things about the flexibility of registering cars in Montana. Just curious how flexible are the laws there? I know for a fact that in almost every state, its impossible to register a EU spec car without an expensive North American conversion (lights, turn signals, exhaust components, etc.). Assuming that you are a resident in Montana who imported a EU spec vehicle...Does Montana DMV allow for EU spec cars to register without the conversion i mentioned above?
Can pursue a show and display exemption. Limits 2,500 mls a yr. Should be able to register in any state once approved by gov't.
Interesting...but not really worth it. Better off just buying a U.S. spec car. I heard a lot of super/hyper car owners in the U.S. register in Montana to avoid taxes in their home state. However, if the authorities in your home state find out, they force you to register the car in the state you reside.
I have read Montana has modified their laws and imposed a fee to cars registered there to avoid tax in other states. However, that fee is nothing compared to other states' taxes.
So do they allow car owners who live in other states to register in Montana, or do they need to have an an address in Montana to successfully register?
One can create a LLC in Montana for a few bucks and that LLC then registers the car. There are specialised attorneys at law that will do all that for you. Marcel Massini
Thanks for the info Marcel. Im surprised more people don't do this in the U.S. If i were a collector, i would definitely consider it as an option. Is there a limit to how many cars you can register under an LLC? Too bad you can't register Euro spec cars...
Any model frankly. I just paid around $120k in customs and registration for my Euro Spec 2015 F12. Owners in Europe also pay close to 20% of their car's value in value added tax (VAT). If allowed, i would have registered my car in Montana in a heartbeat while i was visiting the U.S. and continued to use it with that registration no matter where i took the car afterwards. Too late now for my F12, but would be amazing for any future super or hyper car i own in the future.
Apparently not. I just discovered my Maranello that I sold in 2008 was registered in 2016, wait for it... in my name! And no, I like Montana, but I've never lived there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well, many people are not utilizing the scheme to register in Montana because many states have caught up to the scheme. I have looked that up and it seems worthwhile only in cases where you have a limited edition collector's car that wouldn't build up too many miles. For example, I have heard that DMV in California have signs that urge people to report on cars in California with Montana plate. When I spoke to FoSF a few months ago, I was advised the car registered in Montana will need to physically stay in Montana for 1 year before it can be driven elsewhere. A car you have sold registered in your name?...What?
Makes sense. However, if i were able to register a european specification vehicle in Montana (personally or under an LLC), i would do it in a heartbeat. As an American working/living overseas, i can drive the car there with a U.S. license plate and not have to pay the 60% customs tax i was recently forced to on my F12. I just can't find anyone with enough info on the topic to give me a firm answer.
Google is your friend, or your enemy. Keep in mind many states treat sales tax evasion as a crime. Just saying.
The car will need to go through a registered importer (RI) and modified to US spec to meet Federal laws (EPA and DOT) at a minimum. Additional state laws may apply that hold imports to a higher standard (i.e. California). Show or Display status is only give to rare cars that are limited in production. Given that the car was made for US market and it's not limited in production, they will decline it: https://one.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/howtosd072003.html If you insist on getting the car into the US, Florida will likely turn a blind eye and not really care if it meets Federal law once it gets through a RI. Many Skyline GTRs enter Florida for this reason even though Federal law prohibits their importation (majority of the later model ones...some exceptions apply for the ones less than 25 years of age).
Absolutely. Always research before taking any action. I would never try and avoid sales tax on a car purchased in the States. Thats just stupid. My F12 was purchased across the pond. They have much much higher customs tax there (60% of purchase value) then you add 10% VAT on top of that. Finally, an additional $20k to register the car. All of which i paid. Americans living abroad who pay their U.S. taxes are exempt from the above as long as their car has a U.S. license plate/registration. They allow you to drive your car there during the duration of your stay. Upon returning to the U.S. you have to take the car back with you. Pretty much all those cases are cars that were purchased in the States to begin with and brought over by their owners upon accepting jobs overseas. I have yet to see/hear of a european spec car that was registered in the U.S. without an expensive EPA and DOT conversion.
Here is a video with a bit more information about registering a car in Montana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDxoHdqnfRU The summary is, for the "average" car enthusiast, its not worth the hassle and expense of setting up an LLC. For someone with high value car(s), it could well be worth it but needs to be done properly.
Wow! Thanks for sharing. Very informative video. Good for them! Thats a great way to create income for the state through legislation. I don't get why so many people get pissed off. The laws there allow anyone to set up an LLC. Haters... I wish they would pass new legislation that allows Americans overseas to successfully bring back and register their cars in the U.S. without the need for those expensive EPA & DOT conversions.
