Montana LLCs

[Don Bradner]

Most of the advertising I've seen has been on the web, although such folks are
routinely in the big tent at Quartzsite and similar. Just Google Montana LLC RV
Registration to see the folks in the business of selling this service.

As Pete pointed out obliquely, California has a method for legal sales tax
avoidance on vehicles, including RVs, Airplanes, and boats. So far as I know, it
is a method that is unique to California. You must take delivery outside of
California and keep it outside the state for 90 days, and you must be careful to
follow all the rules. California RV dealers, and those in adjoining states, are
generally very familiar with the practice and can help with such avoidance.

The rule was changed to a full 12-months, with very little room for a state
resident to use it, in 2004, but it had a 3-year sunset and was not renewed in
2007, so it automatically reverted to the old 90 days.

While aware of the rule, I've never been in the position to take advantage of
it, so I've paid CA sales or use tax on 2 SOBs and one Bird so far

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Posting today by satellite from Brookings/Harbor Oregon

On 5/26/2008 at 6:30 PM Pete Masterson wrote:

>I hadn't seen any advertising except for a small classified in the
>FMCA magazine. If, at RV shows, etc. they're marketing is misleading,
>I agree with your objection. I've pointed out, if you're going to use
>a Montana LLC, you need to check with your local DMV to ensure that
>you follow all applicable rules.
>
>===============================================
>Pete Masterson, Author of
>Book Design and Production: A Guide for Authors and Publishers
>Aeonix1@...
>Aeonix Publishing Group http://www.aeonix.com
>===============================================
>
>
>On May 26, 2008, at 3:43 PM, Don Bradner wrote:
>
>> Not meaningful. The SP corporate business was an actual business,
>> doing business in multiple states. The typical Montana LLC is setup
>> simply for tax avoidance, and does no real business; some states
>> consider that tax evasion, and your choice is to not live in one of
>> those states, or never bring your Montana-registered vehicle in, or
>> be aware that there is some chance, small or large, that you might
>> eventually have to pay.
>>
>> My only personal objection is to the marketing. Those selling the
>> concept broadcast far and wide that they are legal in Montana
>> (which they are) and that this makes them legal everywhere (which
>> it does not). If there is a disclaimer that it might not work out,
>> it must be buried well in the fine print.
>>