OT: Car Registration/Property Tax

[Canthony]

I am going to guess your tabs for the vehicle are much less every year though when it comes to renewing them. It always evens out. In MN we don't pay property taxes on the vehicle, but if you have a 2024 50K vehicle, your registration renewal is over $900.

[Montana Tom]

Actually, Montana registers a LOT of RVs (Motorhome-types) from out of state. There is even a cottage industry for setting up Montana-domiciled LLCs so that you can have a Montana-based entity register a big f'ng expensive motorhome in the state for pretty small bucks.

A friend of mine here told me about this, and I found it to be true. He owned a motorhome, and was traveling in Oregon and saw an inordinate amount of Montana plates and being from Montana, did the one-finger Montana salute (no, not the middle finger) and nobody responded. (When driving on back roads, waving with your index finger while driving is a Montana-friendly thing). He thought that was odd.

So at an RV campground, he asked some guy with Montana plates where he was from and it was NOT Montana. He told him about the ploy and that he had never been to Montana.

[JustInTime]

Actually, Montana registers a LOT of RVs (Motorhome-types) from out of state.  There is even a cottage industry for setting up Montana-domiciled LLCs so that you can have a Montana-based entity register a big f'ng expensive motorhome in the state for pretty small bucks.

A friend of mine here told me about this, and I found it to be true.  He owned a motorhome, and was traveling in Oregon and saw an inordinate amount of Montana plates and being from Montana, did the one-finger Montana salute (no, not the middle finger) and nobody responded.  (When driving on back roads, waving with your index finger while driving is a Montana-friendly thing).  He thought that was odd.

So at an RV campground, he asked some guy with Montana plates where he was from and it was NOT Montana.  He told him about the ploy and that he had never been to Montana.

Hello

[Riphawkins]

I live in NW Indiana, the county I live in and the one adjacent are the only two counties that require emissions tests. They are free, but you have to pass. Some in the state are trying to do away with it, as the area has passed all federal guidelines, and it’s not even close. The test is every other year, odd year cars on odd years, even year cars on even years.
My city has imposed a “Wheel Tax” which is an extra $25 per vehicle, if you live within the city. It’s to help with road repairs. News flash, they still suck! My road has needed repaved for about 6 years. Keeps getting overlooked because it’s a dead end.
My property taxes are capped by Indiana law, our taxes on vehicles go down to a State minimum after the car gets to a certain age.

[rf54]

Lived all over the US, moved to Tenn after retiring in NY. No state income tax, no vehicle testing, inspections, just pay registration yearly. I have a 5000 sq ft home pay 1/4 the taxes from my NY 3000 sq ft home.FREEDOM!!!

My kids went to a better school in Tenn, we get just as much if not more services from local govt. People here are so friendly. Great state, great place to retire.

[AGRforever]

$29/vehicle in TN
Property tax is cheap.
Sales tax is 9.75%

[badgervike]

Actually, Montana registers a LOT of RVs (Motorhome-types) from out of state.  There is even a cottage industry for setting up Montana-domiciled LLCs so that you can have a Montana-based entity register a big f'ng expensive motorhome in the state for pretty small bucks.

A friend of mine here told me about this, and I found it to be true.  He owned a motorhome, and was traveling in Oregon and saw an inordinate amount of Montana plates and being from Montana, did the one-finger Montana salute (no, not the middle finger) and nobody responded.  (When driving on back roads, waving with your index finger while driving is a Montana-friendly thing).  He thought that was odd.

So at an RV campground, he asked some guy with Montana plates where he was from and it was NOT Montana.  He told him about the ploy and that he had never been to Montana.

I used to keep a car down in Cabo.  The deal is you register them in Polk County, South Dakota.  You don't have to go there..you simply send the US title to them and you get your plates sent to you.  You can renew them annually online or by calling and they'll send the tags to you in Mexico.  They're inexpensive and don't require you to have US insurance (you still have to have Mexican insurance).  I read somewhere that there are something like 60,000 ex-pat cars that are registered in South Dakota in Mexico.  That's a lot for a County of 12,000.  It was quite the cottage industry.

[JimmyinSD]

I used to keep a car down in Cabo.  The deal is you register them in Polk County, South Dakota.  You don't have to go there..you simply send the US title to them and you get your plates sent to you.  You can renew them annually online or by calling and they'll send the tags to you in Mexico.  They're inexpensive and don't require you to have US insurance (you still have to have Mexican insurance).  I read somewhere that there are something like 60,000 ex-pat cars that are registered in South Dakota in Mexico.  That's a lot for a County of 12,000.  It was quite the cottage industry.

boats, RVs,  I think there are more out of staters than in staters.  I know a buddy that vacations in mexico a lots says he laughs at all the boats in the marinas with SD licenses on them.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

You can become a resident of South Dakota in one day! SD has licensed vehicles in all 50 states. SD is the land of the free. Just ask Jimmy. The man lives in paradise! Except maybe in the winter.