How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Montana?
The cost to start an LLC (limited liability company) online in Montana is $35. This fee is paid to the Montana Secretary of State when filing the LLC’s Articles of Organization.
We recommend Northwest ($29 + State Fees) to help form your LLC.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Montana?
Montana LLC Online Filing Fee: $35
The main cost to start an LLC in Montana is the $35 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the Montana Secretary of State.
For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.
Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Montana
If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Montana, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Montana.
The cost for registering a Montana foreign LLC is $70. You can register a foreign LLC in Montana by filling out the online registration.
Optional LLC Formation Costs
There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:
LLC Name Reservation
Reserve your name for up to 120 days prior to LLC formation by filing a Reservation of Name form and paying the $10 filing fee.
Foreign LLC Name Registration
If a foreign LLC wants to register an entity name but not transact business in Montana, they can file a Registration of Foreign Business Name online for $10.
Assumed Business Name
File a Registration of Assumed Business Name and pay the $20 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.
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Montana LLC Annual Fees and Ongoing Compliance
Establishing and maintaining a limited liability company (LLC) in Montana involves ongoing costs that are important to consider when managing your LLC's finances.
Here are the primary ongoing fees for a Montana LLC:
- Annual Report: LLCs in Montana are required to file an annual report. The fee for filing the annual report is $20 if filed prior to April 15, and $35 if filed after April 15.
- Assumed Business Name Renewal: If your LLC has an ABN, you will need to renew it every five years with the Secretary of State. The renewal fee is $20 and can be filed online.
- Registered Agent Fee: Montana requires every LLC to appoint and maintain a registered agent. Yearly fees for a third-party registered agent services typically range between $100 and $200.
By understanding these expenses, you can effectively plan your budget and ensure the financial stability of your LLC.
How to Register a Montana LLC Yourself
Forming an LLC in Montana is easy. Simply follow the steps outlined on this page.
Recommended: Using an LLC formation service like Northwest ($29 + State Fees) saves time and ensures compliance. Besides the low cost, we like their streamlined approach and excellent customer service.
Montana LLC Cost FAQ
To form an LLC in Montana, you need to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This can be done online and comes with a filing cost of $35. The Articles of Organization is a foundational document that includes information about your LLC such as its name, purpose, and the name and address of its registered agent.
Your Montana LLC's registered agent can be an individual resident of Montana or a business entity authorized to do business in Montana. The role of the registered agent is to accept legal papers and other official documents on behalf of your LLC.
In Montana, you can verify the availability of your desired LLC name through the Business Search on the Secretary of State's website. This is important to ensure your chosen name is not already in use by another business entity in the state.
In Montana, an “assumed business name” is the state’s term for a “doing business as” (DBA) name. This allows your LLC to operate under a name other than its legal name. Remember, to use an assumed business name, it must be registered with the state.
Every year, Montana LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The fee for this is $20 if filed prior to April 15, and $35 if filed after April 15. The annual report helps the state maintain updated records about your business.
Using an LLC formation service in Montana can save you time and hassle. Such services handle all the necessary paperwork and ensure that all steps of the LLC formation process are completed correctly. Many LLC formation services also offer additional benefits such as compliance alerts, registered agent services, and ongoing business support, which can be particularly beneficial for first-time business owners.
A Certificate of Existence, also known as a Certificate of Good Standing in some states, is an official document from the Secretary of State. It attests that your Montana LLC is legally registered and compliant with all state requirements. This document can be necessary when dealing with banks, investors, or in situations where you need to prove your business is in good standing.
Article Sources
Montana Department of Revenue:
https://mtrevenue.gov/
IRS - Employer ID Numbers:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
Montana Secretary of State:
https://biz.sosmt.gov/
SBA - Apply for licenses and permits:
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits
Chamber of Commerce - Montana Chamber of Commerce List:
https://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/chambers/Montana.html