Automobile taxes (Kalispell, Somers: vehicle registration, home, depreciation)

[Galt]

I just learned that Montana has a personal property tax, i.e., an annual tax on cars. Can anyone tell me about it? Does this tax decrease yearly with the decreasing value of the car? Or is it based forever or for some years on the new cost of the vehicle?

Also, do they similarly tax travel trailers?

I have looked into living in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, and it appears South Dakota is the least expensive, at least for me. Wyoming taxes on autos and trailers is very high, and it doesn't decrease for several years. While the property tax in Wyoming is less than in South Dakota, the combination of the property tax on the home and on the auto and trailer make the overall tax higher in WY.

I would like to find out the specific tax in Montana. I have been looking at a property in the Greater Kalispell area (Somers) and had figured on property tax and income tax, but now I have to add the auto and trailer tax before I can figure out if I can afford to live in Montana.

Do you know who I would call to find out the specific tax on my vehicles?

Gosh, it's a real bummer to just realize this. I guess I should have figured that Montana would be a higher taxing state since the Governor and two Senators are Democrats.

[JetMech72]

Registration Rate for Light Vehicles
Age of Vehicle Registration Rate
0 to 4 years$217
5 to 10 years$87
11 years or more$28

County Option Tax – Counties may impose a county option tax based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price, depreciated according to the schedule established in MCA 61-3-503. The age of the vehicle is determined by subtracting the model year from the current calendar year. For example, the age of a 2005 model year sport utility vehicle registered in 2004 would be -1 year, resulting in a depreciation multiplier of 100%.

[rickers]

If your car or rig is over ten years old you can get a lifetime tag. My truck will never cost me any more tax other than the taxes on the gas it uses. There isn't any state that doesn't charge a fee or tag tax for driving on the public roads and highways. You get a little sticker that goes in the corner of your plate. You have to have a front plate too but the sticker only goes on the rear plate. We also have lifetime tags for trailers and motorcycles.

[seven of nine]

Two years to go till my lifetime tagIt is just great not to have to do a DEQ inspection.

[AsForMeAndMyHouse]

Interesting topic, especially since I'm bringing up a travel trailer in a month or so. It's a 2003; any idea what the plate fees would be?

[rickers]

Heck my truck doesn't even have a catalitic converter !

[Galt]

Thank you very much for the information.

Does anyone know if Flathead County adds to the tax?

Do you know what agency in the county I would call to get additional information?

If the state numbers are the fee, I could live with that, but I assume if the counties can add to it, they do.

My vehicles are 2006 models, which to me are three year old models that I have been driving for three years, but in Wyoming, they call them 2 years old. The WY tax on the pickup truck and trailer are $1400 a year. That's really high in my book.

[rickers]

You have got to be kidding. Maybe you need to move to Montana ! I think the amounts most states charge for tags are based on the value of the vehicles. I bought my rig for $5500. about 13 years ago. I paid a little over $100. for the lifetime tag a few years back. I heard that in Japan the yearly registration fees go up higher the older the vehicle becomes.

[GEORGIAINMT]

We just moved from Montana to Wyoming. Our plates in Wyoming on our car & pickup are about half what they were in Montana! However, we have to pay every year on our ATV & ATV trailer in Wyoming, although it's a small fee. In Montana we had lifetime registration for ATV's & trailers. Overall, our taxes for everything (vehicles, home, income, etc.) in Wyoming are much, much less than they were in Montana.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by Galt

I just learned that Montana has a personal property tax, i.e., an annual tax on cars. Can anyone tell me about it? Does this tax decrease yearly with the decreasing value of the car? Or is it based forever or for some years on the new cost of the vehicle?

Also, do they similarly tax travel trailers?

I have looked into living in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, and it appears South Dakota is the least expensive, at least for me. Wyoming taxes on autos and trailers is very high, and it doesn't decrease for several years. While the property tax in Wyoming is less than in South Dakota, the combination of the property tax on the home and on the auto and trailer make the overall tax higher in WY.

I would like to find out the specific tax in Montana. I have been looking at a property in the Greater Kalispell area (Somers) and had figured on property tax and income tax, but now I have to add the auto and trailer tax before I can figure out if I can afford to live in Montana.

Do you know who I would call to find out the specific tax on my vehicles?

Gosh, it's a real bummer to just realize this. I guess I should have figured that Montana would be a higher taxing state since the Governor and two Senators are Democrats.

I noticed in your post you were planning for "income tax". Can someone there clarify. I was under the impression there was no State income tax?