Here’s the background on this true experience:
In most states, registering a vehicle in the name of a New Mexico LLC does not present a problem. However, New York state is an exception. The authorities have become so adamant in their demands that Rosie Enriquez has lately been discouraging orders from anyone in that state, assuming that the use of an LLC at New York state’s DMV is almost impossible.
However, I’ve just received a report to the contrary from Jason, a young New Yorker who is an avid fan of How to Be Invisible. Jason tells me he registered two vehicles in New York state in a single day! How was this possible? Here is his response:
“As soon as I received the documents for my New Mexico LLC I contacted State Farm and asked to have insurance switched over to my LLC. The lady I spoke with informed me that I would now need a business policy. I replied that the LLC does NOT do any business whatsoever and—due to a stalking incident—I was advised by my attorney to do this.
“She then said that would be acceptable. The policy would be put in the New Mexico LLC name with an endorsement for me as the driver. Since I already owned the two vehicles she sent me two insurance cards that said: my name dba as LLC name.
“The next thing to do was go to the New York state DMV website and download the following forms: MV-82 (vehicle registration/title application), and DTF-803 (claim for sales and use tax exemption). I will now explain how I filled out these forms starting with both titles:
“The buyer was my LLC with the ghost address you offer in Alaska. I scrawled an illegible name and signature. My title was ‘member,’ DTF-803; ‘new owner’ —LLC name and Alaska address; ‘previous owner’ —myself and previous ghost address.
‘Purchase price"-$0.00 (in NY state, since I already owned both vehicles there was no sales tax because I was transferring to my new LLC). Check box #15 (other exemption explain) I wrote ‘transferring ownership to my LLC.’
“Sign form as new owner (illegible signature) and date. MV-82: you will complete boxes: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 as follows, box 1-register, box 2- DO NOT fill in client id number, name change: no, address change: no, DO NOT fill in corp or partnership, name of registrant: your LLC name, DO NOT fill in the following: date of birth, sex, day phone number, address where you live, county of residence.
“For the address where I receive mail, I used my Alaska ghost address. Box 4- fill in as asked, box 6- #1 check ‘has not’, #2 check "no", #3- check "no", box 7- print and sign an illegible name.
“After completing the forms, I made up some business cards with my LLC name, Alaska address, my name, and a 1-800 number that just rings in case something extra was needed.
“The next day I gathered all my paper-work and removed the plates from my vehicles ( if you are transferring ownership you MUST bring your old plates with you to turn in at DMV), and put everything in my briefcase. I then traveled to the DMV office, waited in line for a number and sat down until my number was called. I was dressed business casual, neat and groomed. As I waited I re-checked all my paper-work and tried to anticipate any questions that might be asked.
“Finally it was my turn. I approached the counter, smiling and making eye contact with the clerk. She asked what transaction I was performing so I told her and opened my briefcase and took out my paper-work and plates. She scrutinized the LLC paper work and asked why was I registering the vehicles here instead of Alaska ( she did not realize/care/understand this was a New Mexico LLC). I explained the cars would be in this state (NY) at least six months of the year.
“She then looked at the insurance cards and the MV-82 registration forms and said I would need to add the words ‘my name DBA’ so it would match the insurance cards. [IMPORTANT: In New York the registration has to match the insurance cards exactly. In this case, that could defeat the purpose of privacy—if my license plate were ‘run,’ my name along with my LLC might come-up.] I thought for a moment and said I did not want my name attached in any way to the vehicles. She replied that I would then need new insurance cards with LLC name ONLY.
“I asked if I could have the cards faxed to this office. She said yes and gave me the fax number and told me to come back in fifteen minutes. I then stepped outside, called my agent at State Farm, told her what I needed, and gave her the DMV office fax number. I then waited and went back inside.
“After a few more minutes the lady gestured to me to come back to her. She had now received the new insurance cards and we proceeded forward. She was nosy and asked what my business did, so I explained and took out a ‘sample’ from my briefcase. She liked it, so I told her to keep it as my thanks for her help, and she did! (State workers are NOT allowed to accept any gifts or gratuities …)
“The transaction proceeded forward with no more questions. I paid the fees and was handed new license plates and registrations. I did have to show my drivers license but she only looked at it and did not write anything on any forms or input into her computer (I watched her very carefully). Also, I only gave PO Box address in Alaska and was not asked for a street address nor did I give a SS/EIN number.
“I paid all fees in cash. State Farm would not put my Alaska address on the insurance cards so I had them use my local P.O. box. I have since deleted the address on my cards. New York allows you to have different addresses on licenses, insurance cards, and registrations. Although its not preferred, there is no law against it so … my NY drivers license and registrations have Alaska address and my insurance cards have a local PO Box ghost address.”
Jason’s experience was some time back, so I asked him if he had titled any more vehicles lately. His answer:
“Yes, just this month I titled and registered another vehicle. I’d purchased it from an out of state auto dealer and had it shipped to a local shopping center. The process at DMV was actually a little easier than last time because once you have a vehicle title to an LLC you just need to show a title or registration. There is NO LLC paper-work as long as all cars are titled in the same New Mexico LLC.
“I did have to pay sales tax, and I was asked for EIN but I said the this was a sole proprietorship and the IRS treats this as a disregarded entity. There was no further question. I paid all the fees and walked out with plates and registration.”
Jason’s privacy secret revealed:“Before I embark on anything,
I do my homework. I go to the source and gather/ask as much as possible. This puts me on solid ground. I have found I will usually know as much if not more than the individual I am dealing with!
Labels: Alaska address, Alaska ghost address. license plate frame, New Mexico LLC, New York DMV
Privacy blog post by JJ Luna at 11:09 AM
