Author: Heggen Law

10 Coolest Collector Cars — And Why Every Collector Should Consider a Montana LLC

For car enthusiasts, collector cars are more than vehicles — they’re pieces of history, reminders of days gone by, and passion projects. Whether you’re adding to your dream garage or preparing to hit the auction block, one thing is certain: owning a collector car is an investment.

But there’s a secret savvy collectors know — setting up a Montana LLC can offer major benefits like sales tax savings, permanent license plates, and streamlined, permanent registrations, especially for high-value or out-of-state acquisitions.

Let’s take a spin through 10 of the coolest collector cars — and why registering them under a Montana LLC just makes sense.

1. 1967 Shelby GT500

The muscle car legend. With vintage racing DNA and a powerful V8 under the hood, this Shelby is a dream for any American car lover.
✅ Montana Benefit: Save tens of thousands in sales tax on high-auction prices.

2. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

The icon with upward-opening doors and timeless design. One of the most collectible European classics in the world.
✅ Montana Benefit: Avoid steep luxury taxes in states like California or New York.

3. 1993 Ferrari F40

Raw, rare, and race-bred. It’s the last Ferrari personally approved by Enzo himself — and values keep climbing.
✅ Montana Benefit: No annual emissions or smog tests required — perfect for garage-kept exotics.

4. 1970 Dodge Charger R/T

Made famous by TV and film, this muscle car monster screams Americana.
✅ Montana Benefit: Montana offers permanent plates for vehicles 11 years or older — no renewals, ever.

5. 1961 Jaguar E-Type

Praised by Enzo Ferrari as “the most beautiful car ever made.” Elegant, collectible, and rising in value.
✅ Montana Benefit: Montana LLC registration lets out-of-state owners register vehicles remotely — no physical residency required.

6. 1987 Buick GNX

The Darth Vader of American performance sedans — fast, limited, and a cult classic.
✅ Montana Benefit: No personal property tax on vehicles — unlike many states that penalize collectors with annual taxes and registration fees.

7. 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo (930)

Brutal turbo lag meets analog driving bliss. These Porsches have become highly sought after.
✅ Montana Benefit: Save 6–10% or more on sales tax — a $200K Porsche could mean $15K+ in savings.

8. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

An American pony car staple with track heritage and timeless style.
✅ Montana Benefit: No state inspection or emissions checks — a relief for owners of modified or older engines.

9. 2020 Ford GT

Modern tech meets retro design. With limited production and immense performance, it’s a future classic.
✅ Montana Benefit: Tremendous sales tax savings and fixed annual registrations fees mean low ownership costs and no surprises.

10. 1964 Aston Martin DB5

Bond’s car of choice. Elegant and exclusive, the DB5 is a crown jewel in any serious collection.
✅ Montana Benefit: Montana LLCs provide anonymity and asset protection — ideal for discreet high-value ownership.

Why Montana?

Montana is a collector’s paradise thanks to:

• No sales tax
• Permanent registration for vehicles 11 years old or older
• No emissions or vehicle inspections
• Fast and professional LLC setup — no need to live in Montana
• Legal and widely used by classic car owners, dealers, and auction buyers

Whether you’re buying through Hemmings, Gateway Classic Cars, Exotic Car Trader, or from Barrett-Jackson, a Montana LLC can dramatically reduce your cost of ownership — and keep your prized car legally registered without the red tape.

Ready to register your collector car the smart way?
Reach out to Heggen Law Office, P.C. for a free consultation. We specialize in helping car enthusiasts protect their investments and enjoy the full benefits of Montana registration.

Coolest Collector Cars Honorable Mentions: More Collector Cars Worthy of the Spotlight

Of course, narrowing it down to just 10 collector cars leaves out plenty of worthy contenders. Models like the 1971 Plymouth HEMI ’Cuda, 1989 Toyota Supra Turbo, Ford Mustang Boss 429, and BMW E30 M3 continue to capture the hearts (and wallets) of collectors. Modern classics like the Lexus LFA, Dodge Viper GTS, 911 GT3, and even first-gen Tesla Roadsters are also rising fast in value and demand. Whether your passion leans American muscle, JDM, Euro exotics, or rare prototypes, the benefits of a Montana LLC apply across the board — offering a smart, flexible way to protect and enjoy your growing collection.

Classic Car Buyers & Exotic Vehicle Enthusiasts: What a MT LLC Can Do for You.

If you’re a classic car collector, you already understand the thrill of acquiring a vintage Ferrari, a beautifully restored Mustang, or a timeless Porsche 911. But once the keys are in your hands, what’s your next move? One of the smartest steps you can take after acquiring a classic or exotic vehicle is setting up a Montana LLC. Not only can it save you thousands in taxes, but it also simplifies ownership, provides long-term registration perks, and adds a layer of legal protection.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or dipping your toes into the world of classic car auctions, this guide explains why a Montana LLC might be the best-kept secret in your garage.

Why Classic Cars Deserve Smart Ownership Structures

For car lovers, classic vehicles are more than just machines—they’re investments, family heirlooms, and rolling works of art. But they also come with ownership complexities, especially when you’re acquiring multiple vehicles, shopping across state lines, or engaging in high-value transactions.

That’s where a Montana LLC can make life easier.

What Is a Montana LLC?

A Montana Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a legal business structure registered in the state of Montana. For vehicle owners, the key benefit is that Montana doesn’t charge sales tax on vehicle purchases. This means if your Montana LLC purchases a vehicle, you could avoid paying sales tax altogether—legally.

But that’s just the beginning.

The Benefits of Registering Your Classic Car Under a Montana LLC

1. No Sales Tax

This is the single biggest reason car collectors turn to Montana. Many states charge 5-10% sales tax on vehicle purchases, which can add up quickly for high-value cars. For example:

• Buying a $250,000 Shelby Cobra in Florida? You’re looking at $15,000+ in sales tax.
• Buy the same car through your Montana LLC? Sales tax = $0.

Multiply that by multiple vehicles or frequent trades, and the savings can be game-changing.

2. Permanent Plates for Classic Cars

If your car is 11 years or older, Montana offers a one-time registration option. This means you pay a single fee to register your classic car and receive permanent license plates—no renewals, no annual fees, no inspections.

This is particularly appealing to collectors who maintain large fleets or who want to avoid dealing with emissions testing and annual registration paperwork in their home state.

3. Privacy and Asset Protection

When you register a car through a Montana LLC, your personal name doesn’t appear on public DMV records. This adds a layer of privacy that many collectors appreciate—especially when owning high-value or rare vehicles.

Additionally, the LLC structure provides a degree of liability protection, separating your personal assets from your collector car investments.

4. No Vehicle Inspections or Emissions Testing

Unlike California, New York, or other strict emissions states, Montana does not require emissions testing or vehicle inspections for registration—even for older cars. This is ideal for vehicles that may not meet modern emissions standards or those that are used infrequently.

5. Seamless Multi-Car Ownership

Whether you’re building a private collection or flipping cars as a hobby or side business, having a Montana LLC simplifies recordkeeping, titling, and registration. Your LLC can own multiple cars across different years, brands, and styles—all under one legal entity.

Who’s Using Montana LLCs?

From classic Ferraris and vintage American muscle cars to exotic Lamborghinis and air-cooled Porsches, collectors across the country are turning to Montana. Dealers, auction buyers, and investors often take advantage of Montana’s favorable vehicle laws.

Let’s say you’ve just bought a rare 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda at a Gateway Classic Cars showroom—Gateway operates in 20 U.S. locations and has a vast inventory of classic American iron. Or maybe you scored a pristine 1985 Porsche 930 from Exotic Car Trader in Florida. Instead of paying tens of thousands in sales tax, you could form a Montana LLC, transfer the title to it, and register the vehicle there—completely legally.

Even if you’re buying internationally through platforms like Classic Driver, which deals in high-end vehicles, yachts, and luxury watches, a Montana LLC provides a simple structure to manage multi-million-dollar assets.

Auctions, Dealers & Montana: A Natural Fit

If you frequent classic car auctions—whether Hemmings, DuPont Registry, Mecum, or Barrett-Jackson—you know that speed and paperwork efficiency are essential. With a Montana LLC already set up, you can easily make a purchase and transfer the title, skipping lengthy DMV delays in your home state.

Most car buyers work with Heggen Law Office, PC in Montana to set up their LLC before they purchase.  So if you are headed to a big auction or shopping for a classic car, this is the perfect time to start the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is This Legal?
Yes. Montana LLCs are perfectly legal and widely used across the U.S. The key is to follow proper legal procedures and maintain the LLC as a legitimate entity.

Will My State Get Mad?
Some states may frown on the practice if you use the vehicle primarily in that state and try to avoid local taxes entirely. That’s why it’s important to work with experienced professionals, like Heggen Law Office, who can lawfully structure your LLC and ensure you have been advised on legal pitfalls.

Can I Drive the Vehicle Anywhere?
Yes, you can, but taxes in your state may become due. A vehicle registered to your Montana LLC can be legally driven anywhere in the U.S. Just be mindful of state registration rules if you’re planning to use or store the vehicle in your state of residence.

What Does It Cost to Set Up?
Typically, you’re looking at a one-time LLC formation fee, a small annual renewal cost, and title/registration fees. But those are minimal compared to what you’d pay in sales tax or annual registration in other states. Our average client saves between $2,500 and $50,000 per vehicle purchase!

Final Thoughts: Drive What You Love, Own It Smarter

Whether your dream car is a 1969 Camaro, a Gullwing Mercedes, or a vintage Land Rover, your ownership experience should be as rewarding as the drive. Forming a Montana LLC lets you focus on collecting and enjoying your cars—without worrying about state tax pitfalls, annual registration headaches, or intrusive inspections.

Heggen Law Office has helped thousands of collectors nationwide navigate the setup and management of Montana LLCs. We handle everything from LLC formation and title transfer to license plate issuance and annual compliance—so you don’t have to deal with the DMV or complicated paperwork.

Ready to Register Your Dream Ride?

Contact Heggen Law Office today for a free consultation. Let us help you legally register your classic or exotic car under a Montana LLC—and start saving time, money, and stress.

Heggen Law Office, P.C.
Montana’s Trusted Name in Tax-Free Vehicle Registration

Setting Up a Montana LLC to License a Vehicle, Boat, or Airplane? Don’t Let a Bad Registered Agent Derail the Process — Heggen Law Office, P.C. Can Help

If you’re exploring ways to license a vehicle, RV, boat, or even an aircraft in Montana, you’re likely familiar with one of the best-kept legal advantages available to savvy buyers: forming a Montana LLC. Montana does not charge sales tax on vehicle or personal property purchases – and you can potentially save thousands — or even tens of thousands — in sales tax. But there’s a catch: for your Montana LLC to be work properly, you need an experienced, trustworthy registered agent located in Montana. And unfortunately, not all registered agents are created equal.

Heggen Law Office P.C. specializes in helping clients legally and properly set up Montana LLCs for vehicle, boat, and aircraft ownership — and we offer professional, attorney-backed registered agent services you can count on.

There are some major advantages to choosing Heggen Law Office to serve as your Montana Registered Agent, including:

• Attorney-client privilege
• Lawfully structured LLC
• Professionalism and over 25 years of experience as a Montana Registered Agent
• Confidentiality with our exclusive Privacy Package
• Access to Insurance and Financing resources

 Why Set Up a Montana LLC?

Forming a Montana LLC is a popular strategy for those purchasing:

• Motorhomes, travel trailers, toterhomes, & RVs
• Hypercars, supercars, collector cars, exotic cars, & sports cars
• Fishing boats, performance boats, leisure vessels, & yachts
• Side-by-sides, motorcycles, snowmobiles, & utility trailers
• Piston aircraft, turboprop aircraft, jet aircraft, helicopters, & gliders

Because Montana has no sales tax, buyers can register and title their high-value assets in the state without incurring the steep taxes they might face in their home state. This structure is perfectly legal when done properly, but it’s critical that the LLC is formed and maintained correctly — and that you have a registered agent you can trust.

The Registered Agent: Small Title, Big Role

A registered agent is required for every Montana LLC. This agent must have a physical address in Montana and be available during normal business hours to receive official documents from the state, including legal notices, compliance communications, and service of process.

When you set up a Montana LLC for the purpose of vehicle or asset registration, your registered agent isn’t just a legal formality — they are your main point of contact with the state. If they’re unreliable, you could miss important filings, lose your LLC’s good standing, or even find your license and registration invalidated.

Having Trouble with Your Registered Agent?

If you used a discount service, your registered agent retired, or they just won’t return your call, we can help.  Don’t feel stuck with a bad registered agent. We regularly assist with LLC or vehicle issues such as:

• Previous / existing agent is not approved for certain transactions
• Missing LLC or vehicle documents
• Erroneous LLC or vehicle documents
• Vehicle registrations not happening in a timely manner
• Difficulty reaching a real person
• Missed LLC or vehicle renewal notices or filing deadlines

Heggen Law Office, P.C.: Your Trusted Montana Partner

At Heggen Law Office, we’ve helped countless clients from around the country (and the world) legally structure Montana LLCs to register vehicles, boats, and aircraft. We’re not just a registered agent — we’re a full-service Montana law office with decades of experience in business law and compliance.

Here’s why our clients choose us:

✅ Attorney-Led, Locally Based

We’re based in Missoula, Montana, and led by experienced legal professionals. You’re not dealing with a call center or an anonymous online form. We know Montana law, and we’ll make sure your LLC is structured and maintained the right way from the start.

✅ Complete LLC Formation and Vehicle Registration and Maintainence Services

We can handle everything for you: from filing your Articles of Organization and acting as your Montana Registered Agent, to drafting your Operating Agreement and ensuring your LLC and vehicles, boats, or aircraft remain compliant year after year.

✅ Reliable, Responsive Communication

We believe in keeping you informed. When you work with Heggen Law Office PC, you’ll get real communication, proactive reminders, and access to our experienced team who actually picks up the phone when you call. No one so many of our clients have stuck with us for over 20 years!

✅ No Hidden Fees

Protecting your privacy is of the utmost importance, and we take it seriously. Every one of our clients is protected by the attorney-client privilege. What separates us from our competitors is our exclusive Privacy Package, and it keeps your personal details secure from prying eyes while maintaining all the tax advantages of registering your assets in Montana.

✅ No Hidden Fees

Some companies lure you in with low initial rates, only to tack on charges for basic services like document forwarding or annual reports. With us, you’ll get transparent pricing and honest guidance — no surprises.

✅ Trustworhy, Legal Consultation

Because we’re a law firm, you have access to legal expertise beyond just filing forms. If questions come up about legal risk, potential pitfalls, or liability, we’re already in your corner. We also know the value in building trust with our clients. That’s why your initial consultation is always FREE.

Avoid Pitfalls. Save Time. Protect Your Asset.

Whether you’re registering a luxury RV, classic car, or private jet, the last thing you want is for your vehicle or aircraft registration to get flagged or invalidated due to missteps in your LLC’s paperwork or compliance. Unfortunately, this is a growing issue with impersonal, high-volume LLC mills that don’t provide legal oversight.

With Heggen Law Office P.C., you can be confident your Montana LLC is legitimate, compliant, and ready to do what you need it to do.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re just exploring the idea or you’re ready to form your LLC today, we’re here to help you every step of the way. We make the process simple, legal, and stress-free.

📞 Call us today 1.406.327.0401.
📍 Based in Missoula, Montana, serving clients nationwide.

Protect your investment. Keep it compliant. Do it the right way — with Heggen Law Office, P.C.

Although you’ve probably heard of the trend of registering luxury and exotic vehicles or expensive full-time motorhomes in Montana to avoid paying another state’s sales tax (and if you haven’t, go check out our blog for more information), you may not know that a Montana LLC comes in handy in more ways than one. The process of registering vehicles through a Montana LLC is a process unique to Montana and one that our office has an immense amount of experience doing well. What’s more, through our years serving thousands of clients, we have also seen how flexible and useful the Montana LLC can be for clients when it comes to obtaining other kinds of luxury items.

While many might think of Montana as the last Wild West (or maybe it’s over in the Plains? Who knows, we may not even exist), we certainly still have an appreciation for the finer things in life. Whether it’s fine art, precious gems or metals, a new sound system for your car or a new anniversary ring for your wife, a Montana LLC can help you avoid a potential sales tax on your next big purchase. Many high-end purchases have the ability to be purchased through your Montana company, thereby providing an extra layer of asset protection in your next big acquisition and similarly saving you from paying another state’s high sales or use taxes.

In our combined 50 plus years of experience filing Montana LLCs, registering vehicles, and protecting our client’s assets, we have managed millions of dollars’ worth of our client’s most precious items. Throughout this time, we have refined our process and successfully saved our client’s hundreds of thousands of dollars by purchasing the items through their Montana LLC. The process can be different for every individual client and isn’t always the most effective route to take. Our experience in handling these kinds of assets makes us particularly knowledgeable about whether or not this option is the right one for you. Every situation is different, but for a free consultation, our office would be happy to answer all questions and provide advice on whether your situation might fit.

Of course, our office deals primarily with Montana sales and use tax and so we recommend that you consult with an attorney and certified accountant in your home state before pursuing the Montana LLC. While this process works for many people, it may not work for all and we encourage our client’s to be as well educated in their decisions as possible. If you do find yourself in a position to pursue a Montana LLC for a luxury item purchase, our office hopes to ensure the process is done correctly and with maximum protection for our client. We recommend you give us a call ahead of time as a luxury item acquisition can be different from standard vehicle registration and the Montana LLC usually must be formed prior to the purchase. Even so, if you do find yourself calling our office with the intention of purchasing a high-end item, it’s probably worth it to also consider whether you have any vehicles that might also be eligible to avoid another state’s sales tax or high licensing fees. Either way, our office is always happy to help answer your questions and determine whether a Montana LLC is the right choice for you.

Live like a Nomadic Youth on the Road.

Most people have likely seen the new wave of “nomadic youth” that has taken over social media platforms. It seems every time I scroll through my explore page on Instagram I find another account that is devoted to a young couple living out of their renovated van with their cute dog. From the looks of it (as with most social media) their lives look effortless. I wanted to see how these young people coped with all the pressure of “adulting” while still enjoying their youth on the road. I wanted to know 1) how they prepared themselves for such an adventure, 2) how they were able to live in a home on wheels but still make enough money to own the latest iPhone that allowed them to document their blissful lives, and finally 3) how they did all this while shaking off the stigma of “living in a van down by the river.”  This is what I found:

How to prepare: First thing’s first, you’ll need to buy a van or RV that allows you to live out of it fulltime. Do your research and determine if this vehicle is something you plan on traveling in for a few weeks or months….or the rest of your life! For most, this will likely be your heaviest financial burden.  One easy way to save some of these costs is to use a Montana vehicle registration.  For non-residents of Montana, creating a Montana LLC is an easy way to avoid paying expensive sales taxes on your big purchase to a state that you likely won’t even stay in once you’re on the road. Check out our other blog posts (insert hyperlink) for more information on how to form a Montana LLC. If you do decide to travel for a few months, it’s best to bring all of the supplies (as best you can) with you from the start. Having a rough idea of where you’ll be traveling to will help you determine what kind of clothing and leisure gear you’ll need. Packing light is key, and if your RV/van is lighter you’ll be more efficient when it comes time to unpack and repack all of your belongings.

How to earn a living on the road: This question has been at the top of my list since the first ‘vanlife’ account I found.  I could not fathom how these people made enough money to sustain their lifestyle.  Not only were they traveling around the world, but they always seemed to have the cutest swimsuits.  What I found was actually pretty simple – most people that live the #vanlife are writers, social media gurus, or work remotely. When they aren’t making sponsorship deals or earning money on their lifestyle blogs, seasonal jobs generally provide the best means of making money. Whether it’s working at a music festival for a weekend in the summer or for Amazon Camperforce for 3-4 months in the winter helping to complete holiday orders, there are always seasonal jobs that help provide some financial cushion to those living on the road. And although forming a Montana LLC doesn’t exactly lead to consistent income, it does save you a large chunk of your total costs setting out, leaving you with extra money to put towards those new sunglasses you’ve been wanting.

Where to stay: Of course, I have to put in a shameless plug for Montana and its jaw-dropping national parks and public lands. Glacier National Park has campsites available in the park during Spring, Summer, and Fall with plenty of wildlife and hiking as far as the eye can see. Additionally, there are sites to stay at for free of charge on public land located on the outskirts of the park. Small town Montana is known for its charming local mercantiles, bakeries and ghost towns that are always fun to explore. However, Montana is not the only state that has public land to stay at overnight, and in many areas of the US, this is available for those living on the road. For the city slickers that just need a place to stay for the night, there is always (as strange as it may sound) parking lots. Walmart is known in the vagabond community as a refuge for plenty of travelers to set up camp for the night for free. Read our blog for more ideas on some of the Northwest’s best campgrounds.

Drawbacks: Life on the road as a nomadic youth is not all smooth sailing, and there are bound to be some drawbacks. Maybe you unexpectedly get sick or haven’t had the luxury of a warm shower in a few days. When you’re on the go it can be difficult to find quality, inexpensive, and available services. By reaching out to your insurance company you can find providers in your area that will hopefully cover you without literally costing your arm and a leg. And, we’ve all been on that long road trip where maybe sacrificing a shower one day (or more) is the only option. One van-life-hack I found was by having a gym membership to a chain (maybe like the YMCA) you can usually locate a facility for a quick workout and a shower. One thing you won’t have to worry about while traveling is your mail! Heggen Law Office is happy to forward all mail to you wherever you are or are about to be. Say, for instance, your vehicle’s license place is due for a renewal next month but you’ve been on the road for two months and won’t be home for another three. Not only does our office keep this information organized for you, but we’ll be sure to reach out to you wherever in the world you happen to be.  So even though it’s good to be prepared for anything, you can rest a little easier knowing that our team is looking out for you as well.

Simplicity is flexibility these days and for many millennials, being a nomadic youth embracing the vagabond lifestyle is the perfect way to protect themselves from a 9-5. It’s hard not to with the combined convenience of a Montana LLC and the road as your home; all there is left is to enjoy!

 

 

How to Run a Business from your RV as a Fulltimer

Living on the road full-time opens the doors to many opportunities and experiences, but is not quite as conducive when it comes to earning a steady income. Even so, mobile businesses aren’t a new concept and with today’s technology, it’s even easier to run a business out of your RV or van. Running a side business can nicely supplement existing income or make some travel expenses tax deductible.  And of course, owning a business provides one more way to keep yourself busy while you travel.

So, here’s a few tips we’ve picked up that may help to get you started on that online thrift store idea that you haven’t been able to stop thinking about:

Make a dedicated ‘Work Space’

Although one of the points of living on the road as a fulltimer is mobility, having a dedicated ‘home’ office is an important aspect of running a business on the road.  Dedicating a portion of your mobile home as your workspace will not only help you focus on work while you’re on the road but will allow you to conduct any meetings over Skype or Facetime with more semblance of professionalism.

Stay Organized (Work Smarter Not Harder)

As a full-time RVer, you are likely already organized out of necessity from living in close quarters.  These skills should also be utilized when running a business on the road.  But that doesn’t mean you have to be old-fashioned about it.  Although originally developed to help students stay off Facebook while studying, apps like Freedom help you temporarily block distracting websites while you work.  On the other hand, apps like Time Out and Pomodoro help with time management by organizing your time into chunks with built-in breaks.  If you’re running your business out of your RV or van, you likely already rely heavily on your computer so taking advantage of some your computer’s applications will increase your productivity when it’s time to get to work.

Get Online

Because you likely don’t have a brick and mortar operation if you’re running a business from your RV or van, it’s important that your business still has a presence in the world.  Today, with social media and all of the ways to build your own website, there’s no excuse for your business to not be extremely visible from the web, regardless of the kinds of services or goods you offer.

Do Your Research

Living the fulltimer lifestyle on the road means that you likely interact with many different states and jurisdictions. Even so, you are technically still considered a ‘resident’ of somewhere regardless of your nomadic lifestyle. Choosing where your business will technically ‘reside’ will depend on two things: 1) the state you choose to incorporate in and 2) your primary place of business.  The second factor may get slightly trickier if you operate from your computer while on the road but the first factor is clear.  Living on the road not only gives you flexibility when choosing where to live but also gives you flexibility when choosing where you will file taxes for your business, so do your research into the states that work best for you. At the same time, it also may be smart to call our office and learn about the ways a Montana LLC may save you on sales tax and vehicle registration fees.  Although your Montana LLC likely won’t be the same company that you do business out of, it is likely to be a useful way to protect your assets and save you some extra cash (that you can put towards your growing business instead).

 

 

 

 

Growing up in Montana, my friends and I often played the ‘license plate game;’ a nonsense game in which each time you stop behind an out-of-state vehicle with a particular state slogan (for instance, Idaho plates generally say “famous potatoes” because why not) and if you can correctly yell out the state slogan before anyone else has the chance, you get to punch the other person in the arm—like ‘slug bug,’ but ever so slightly more entertaining.

Likewise, I often figured that my home state offered a similar level of entertainment given the abundance of specialty plates Montana makes available to its residents.  For every standard plate, there are five more specialty plates. Which means that out-of-staters touring any part of our great state probably never even have the opportunity to figure out what plate is standard and what plate is specialty, because in a state where specialty is normal, there is no standard.

Which leads me to my main point: Montana is proud of itself. Weirdly proud of itself. So much so, that our state puts as many aspects of its unique personality on our license plates as it can. When you visit the License Plates Designs and Fees page of Montana’s state DOJ, it offers fourteen different genres of license plates to choose from. Not kidding. Fourteen genres. You could choose ‘Museums & History’ or ‘Government & Communities.’ Or, if you’re more outdoorsy, you might have to choose between the ‘Parks & Environment’ or the ‘Wildlife & Other Animals’ categories. And within these options, are many different plates. With something like 250 different plate options and the ability to personalize your plates (for basically nothing, I might add ) Montana offers many choices. But don’t fool yourself into thinking we’re just trying to entertain ourselves up here under four feet of snow.

Montana plates also have the ability to raise money for their organizations. For instance, only last quarter (April – June 2016) the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation raised over $46,000 from its plate. Even things as obscure as the Eureka Montana Quilt Show raised almost $2,000 solely from its specialty plate. And for the good they do, they even manage to save some people equivalent amounts of money.

              

For those who’ve read our blog, you’ll know that having a Montana license plate also means that you’ve benefitted from Montana’s Sales Tax Free Vehicle Registration. A Montana vehicle registration not only means that you have a cool license plate, but also that you’ve paid a vehicle registration fee based solely off the MMSRP and year of your vehicle, plus some handling fees because this is America. But unlike most states, which can charge sales tax as high 10%, Montana gives its residents a break when it comes to consuming. This means whether you prefer Jeeps or Ferarris, you can say ‘goodbye’ to the thousands of dollars in sales tax required to register vehicles in most other states.

Leading me to my next point. If you’ve read our blog thoroughly, you’ll also know that many out-of-staters have come to benefit from Montana’s “Wild West” mindset.  In the last few years, many savvy RV’ers, luxury car owners and classic car enthusiasts have quickly followed suit by registering their luxury vehicles, travel trailers, and other recreational vehicles through a Montana LLC. If you aren’t caught up, check out our blog for a step-by-step guide through the process and then give our office a call or contact us via the web for details. Our staff has over 40 years of combined experience and professional attorneys that lead our team. Meaning that you’ll not only be hand-held through the process, but also that we’ll always have your best interests in mind. Frankly, the hardest part is coming up with a name for your new Montana LLC. And then all that’s left is to enjoy.

Taxes have never been a fun topic, which is probably why they are so often a topic of conversation. At Heggen Law Office, taxes are similarly on our mind, for better or worse, especially when it comes to finding ways to save our clients from paying unnecessary taxes on their pricey vehicles and motorhomes with a Montana LLC.

The oft-quoted Judge Billings Learned Hand once observed that “Any one may so arrange his affairs that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which will best pay the Treasury; there is not even a patriotic duty to increase one’s taxes” (Helvering v. Gregory, 69 F.2d 809, 810 (2d Cir. 1934). In other words, while staying loyal to the state is a duty each citizen is bound to, paying extraneous taxes is not.

A similar sentiment inspired Jared Heggen at a young age to investigate the benefits of Montana’s tax free vehicle registration. Coupled with the knowledge he’d gained from law school and his experiences as a young business owner, Jared and another partner—who is still practicing in the area—founded the first registered agent firm specialized to help out-of-staters benefit from Montana’s lenient vehicle registration statutes.

Knowing that many out-of-staters paid outrageous prices to register their collected classics and luxury vehicles, Jared S. Heggen now offered an alternative: low vehicle registration costs, protection of your various assets, and maximum confidentiality for each client through a registered Montana Limited Liability Company (LLC). By establishing a Montana LLC for their new clients and transferring their client’s vehicles into the LLC, Heggen Law Office created a way to easily and legally benefit from the state’s low fees and lack of vehicle inspections. [You can read more about this process on our step-by-step blog.]

But we all know: if you build it, people will come—and soon they did. It was not only out-of-staters flocking to take advantage of the idea, but also the local registered agents who quickly realized a new business opportunity. While registered agents had always offered their commercial or home address for business purposes such as accounting, the idea of forming an LLC for vehicle registration had not historically been an aspect of the agent business. Before too long, many agents began offering to register out-of-state vehicles through a Montana LLC, growing the industry into what it is today.

But while many of these offices can easily set up an LLC or get a vehicle registered at the DMV, many still fail to properly protect their client’s confidentiality or rely on added-on fees for their own profit. On the other hand, at Heggen Law Office we’ve had many years of first-hand experience in registering vehicles reliably and with the utmost standard of care and confidentiality.

Our staff is always there with years of experience to guide and support our clients. While we always recommend that you have legal representation in your home state, knowing that the team at Heggen Law Office is watching out for your best interest makes it easier for our clients to enjoy their recreational and luxury vehicles—with the added affordability of Montana’s Tax Free Vehicle Registration.