Community Forums

Tom N · 05-17-2008, 03:47 AM

I tried to do this 6 month and 1 day registration in Florida.

I January 2005 I purchased a new motorhome in NY and never titled it. Drove it to Florida on an intransit permit. Stayed for 3 months then drove to my home in Pennsylvania. Let the motorhome sit until September 2005 when I called Citrus County Florida and asked about registering the motorhome in Florida. They wanted the FL sales tax paid because the motorhome had never been registered and the tax had never been paid anywhere.

-Tom

GaryKD · 05-17-2008, 08:39 AM

Tom,
You are correct. One must title the vehicle somewhere and then 6 months and 1 day later it can be brought into Florida owing no sales tax.

GaryKD · 05-17-2008, 08:43 AM

Hi Bruse,
Thanks for the heads up. I already looked into the concern mentioned in your post. My attorney assures me if I follow his instructions setting up the LLC and the titling to the LLC in Montana and continue to follow his instructions when titling the vehicle in Florida (to me) there will be no problem. While I don't understand the details completely, that's what I pay him for. With all the high priced toys, in Florida, this is a common practice and a competent attorney should be able to lead his client through the process.

I researched this in 2007 when I was very close to purchasing another coach. I will do the research again before I purchase another coach. These laws change everytime the state legislature meets. Fortunately, in Florida the legislature meets only the first few month of the year.

racer0624 · 05-18-2008, 02:50 AM

A way around the "staying 6 months out of state" rule is to have the Montana LLC owned by a trusted friend/family menber residing in another state. I'm in the process at this time of setting up a Mt. LLC in this manner as our new Essex will be delivered late July. Garykd is correct in that specific procedures HAVE to be followed, but it can legally be done. I talked to Bennett Law and www.heggenlawoffice.com both located in Missoula, Mt. and decided to go with Heggen. The cost from either is around $1350-$1400 initially and $200 or so each year there after. The annual cost can vary somewhat depending of the age of the coach involved.

racer0624 · 05-18-2008, 02:54 AM

I should have mentioned that my previous posting is Florida specific. I'm aware that Louisiana, and I'm sure other states, have their own laws and procedures to follow.

edgray · 05-21-2008, 09:31 AM

It appears that at least one state is going after its residents who attempt to evade local taxes. HERE is a link to another thread which you may want to consider. ED

garybtt · 05-29-2008, 04:57 AM

We looked at the Montana LLC, we decided against this as we would have a vehicle owned by a corp and is now subject to commercial rules and fuel and road taxes in certain states. We elected to obtain residency in South Dakota and registered all of our vehicles there. The tax savings swayed us and nor having to worry about inspections and being able to renew thru the web made this very easy.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 05-29-2008, 05:46 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> actually knows of anybody first hand that has been hassled by a state over a LLC </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Try this one on for size.

Colorado charges RV Owners

edgray · 05-29-2008, 05:47 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We elected to obtain residency in South Dakota and registered all of our vehicles there. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
garybtt: can you please enlighten us as to exactly what is involved in accomplishing the above?

garybtt · 05-30-2008, 02:51 AM

We contracted with a mail forwarding company and used that address for all of our mail. This is the address for registering our vehicles. Check out http://alternativeresources.net/ this will give all the info you need. South Dakota charges 3 percent tax on vehicles that was a very large savings for us. I went to SD and have my drivers license there and have stayed there in order to register to vote.

Renipladlo · 06-01-2008, 08:12 PM

Hello All, wondered about this for a while. We elected to register our rig in the state we live in (WA) paid the sales tax, and will deduct it on our Federal Return next year. Ok, I believe there is a sales tax limit for deductions, if so, oh well, as our state does not have Income tax which is worse, you can do the math on that one. We can also deduct the interest on the loan, second house you know, so we might win in both cases, if not, then the old "death and Taxes" thing applies. I work for the government, and even though you might beat them, they will get you another way, and when the do, it seems to cost more than had you played the game streight. WA routinely goes after vehicles registered in other states, and when they find you jiggered them, they may you pay the back sales tax plus interest for all the time you beat the clock, in some cases more than the vehicles are worth when caught. Not worth it for me.

Chappie · 06-24-2008, 11:14 AM

Colorado is very unfriendly to Montana LLC owners; they are currently persuing sales tax and registration charges against 120 owners. We are one of them; we used Bennett Law Firm. They are absolutlely "no help". Our tax advisor has responded to the state for us and he says Colorado is all wrong. That doesn't help when it costs thousands to hire an attorney if you can find one to represent you. I would advise anyone who owns anything in Colorado not to do an LLC in hopes of saving any money. The taxes and penalties, plus payment to Bennett will far exceed any savings we might have made. Our only recourse will be pay them in excess of $8000 or go to court and spend even more. The state does not recognize Montana LLCs and goes after the individual. Would love to participate in a class-action suit against the state. Are there any takers/

parmm · 06-27-2008, 07:51 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Our tax advisor has responded to the state for us and he says Colorado is all wrong. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I know many who say the IRS is all wrong too. Just look at the "stupid" rule that says your business actually has to make money after x number of years. And if it doesn't they call it a hobby and dis-allow your deductions from you business that never made money.

BOB & TRISHA · 06-28-2008, 11:49 AM

parmm, exactly true. And Fleetwood here in CA. just reported their 8th year of straight loss (in the business section of the Riverside Co. Paper). They are still in business, at least they were at 1:47 pm today. Now granted, they have many different divisions, and I say the above, tongue in cheek, but it does seem to follow a more stringent coarse of action when applied to a "small" business man.