- Filing fee
- $35
- Annual Report
- $0
- First-year gov. cost
- $35
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Montana will accept
Must be distinguishable on the record.
Search existing Montana business names before you commit. Montana naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent with a physical Montana street address is required. Both residents and authorized business entities qualify.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Montana registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the Montana Secretary of State through the official filing portal and pay $35. Filing is entirely online, with no mail-in option accepted.
Processing: online Within a few days or immediately upon review; by mail N/A. Expedite: $20 for 24-hour priority service, and $100 for one-hour service..
Write an operating agreement
Not required to be filed, but heavily advised to maintain the corporate shield.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report ($0), due January 1 to April 15. Waiver voided and flat $35 fee applies Montana report deadlines.
Every Montana LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $35 | Filing is entirely online, with no mail-in option accepted. |
| Annual Report | $0 | annual, January 1 to April 15 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $0 | Free via a Statement of Change. |
| Amendment | $15 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $10 | |
| Certificate of Authority | $70 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Termination | $0 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $10 | state |
How Montana compares nationally
- Montana's filing fee of $35 ties for the lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Montana's first-year government cost of $35 ties for the lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Montana's yearly cost after that of $0 ties for the lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Montana Secretary of State costs $35 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Montana street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Montana's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Montana fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $35 | $0 |
| Northwest | $74 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $35 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No state sales tax, no franchise tax, and no minimum entity tax. Pass-through profits taxed at personal level up to 5.65%.
What's different about Montana
- Explicitly authorizes Series LLCs for an extra $50 per child series.
- Lack of sales tax creates a cottage industry of vehicle registration LLCs for tax-free luxury vehicle purchases.
More Montana LLC guides
Montana LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Montana?
The Montana Secretary of State charges $35 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $35 in government fees (Articles of Organization fee.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Montana?
Online: Within a few days or immediately upon review. By mail: N/A. Expedited: $20 for 24-hour priority service, and $100 for one-hour service..
Does a Montana LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Montana requires the Annual Report, which costs $0, filed annual. Due: January 1 to April 15. Waiver voided and flat $35 fee applies
Can I be my own registered agent in Montana?
Yes. A registered agent with a physical Montana street address is required. Both residents and authorized business entities qualify. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Montana require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Montana has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Montana?
Not required to be filed, but heavily advised to maintain the corporate shield.
What taxes does a Montana LLC pay to the state?
No state sales tax, no franchise tax, and no minimum entity tax. Pass-through profits taxed at personal level up to 5.65%.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.