The landscape for high-value asset ownership has shifted. As we settle into 2026, the quiet hum of a cold start or the gentle rocking of a yacht at the slip is being met with a louder, more persistent noise: the rising cost of simply keeping those assets legal.
Inflation has spent the last few years driving up MSRPs across the board. What used to be a standard price point for a high-end SUV or a well-appointed motorhome has climbed into a new bracket entirely. When the sticker price rises, the state tax agencies are never far behind.
Here’s the reality: many owners are finding that the “cost of admission” for luxury assets is being compounded by aggressive new state-level luxury taxes and inflation-adjusted registration fees. If you aren’t looking at your registration through a lens of tax optimization, you are likely leaving a significant amount of capital on the table.
The Inflation Tax Trap
Inflation does more than just make the steel and leather more expensive. It triggers a phenomenon often called “bracket creep” for vehicle owners. In several states, registration fees and property taxes are tied directly to the current market value or the original MSRP of the asset.
As inflation pushes the value of your exotic car or RV upward, the tax assessors see a larger target. Think about it. You are paying more for the same asset you already owned, simply because the dollar’s purchasing power has shifted. It is a recurring cycle that rewards the bureaucracy while penalizing the enthusiast.
Furthermore, 2026 has introduced a new wave of “luxury surcharges” in various jurisdictions. Some states have implemented additional percentage-based fees for any vehicle crossing a certain price threshold, often starting as low as $100,000 or $150,000.
These aren’t one-time hits; they often reappear every time you renew your tags.
DMV Friction in a High-Speed World
Let’s be honest: the traditional DMV experience has not kept pace with the 21st century. While you are managing global investments or planning your next coastal cruise, state agencies still expect you to navigate archaic paperwork.
The friction is intentional. Complexity is a barrier that keeps most owners paying high local sales taxes because they simply don’t have the time to find a better way. They accept the 6%, 8%, or even 10% sales tax hit as an unavoidable cost of doing business.
However, for the sophisticated owner, these “standard” costs are actually optional.
The Montana LLC: A Legitimate Strategic Tool
The solution to these rising costs isn’t found in a “hack” or a loophole. It is found in a clean, compliant legal structure. By forming a Montana Limited Liability Company to hold your assets, you change the conversation entirely.
Montana remains a bastion of tax efficiency for vehicle and vessel owners. Because the state has no sales tax, a Montana LLC can purchase and own a vehicle without the massive upfront tax burden seen in almost every other state.
This is all about choosing the most efficient jurisdiction for your asset management.
In 2026, Montana has also modernized its own fee structures. While they have introduced tiered fees for ultra-high-end vehicles (those over $200,000), the total cost remains a fraction of what you would pay in a state like California, Washington, or Florida.
The Concierge Experience
You didn’t reach your current level of success by spending your afternoons filling out government forms. Your time is your most valuable asset, and the logistical burden of multi-state titling and registration is a poor use of that resource.
The modern approach to asset ownership is 100% remote. You shouldn’t have to visit a government office to prove you own your car. You shouldn’t have to worry about whether your tags are expiring while you’re out of the country.
A professional concierge service handles the heavy lifting, ensuring your plates and registration arrive at your door, ready for the road or the water.
The Ride Legal Advantage
The rising tide of taxes and inflation doesn’t have to erode your wealth or your enjoyment of your collection. Whether you are adding a new exotic to the garage or upgrading to a larger hull, the “standard” way of registering assets is increasingly becoming the “expensive” way.
Ride Legal provides a white-glove, end-to-end solution that eliminates the friction of state agencies and tax assessors. We specialize in the formation of Montana LLCs and the seamless registration of high-value assets.
Our team has successfully navigated the complexities of the system for over 80,000 vehicles, ensuring that our clients remain fully compliant while optimizing their tax exposure. We handle the paperwork, the filings, and the follow-up, leaving you with nothing to do but enjoy the drive.
See a custom estimate of the tax savings for your next acquisition.
