Montana Annual Report Filing
Montana LLC Cost
We’ve compiled the most common fees so you know exactly what to expect when starting your Montana LLC.
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FAQs on how to determine Montana LLC costs
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File Articles of Organization to get the LLC going. You can learn more about forming LLCs with our quick and convenient Montana LLC Formation Service.
Our formation service can get you started in a flash for only $0 plus state fees. Just click the Start My Business button below.
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It depends on your business. Here are a few of the fees you might have to pay when you start your own LLC in Montana.
Montana LLC Filing Fee
$35 and up: Articles of Organization cost $35 to file, plus an additional $50 for each series member (if you are forming a series LLC). If you want to reserve your name, a Name Reservation form costs $10.
Annual Reports
$20 to $35: Montana annual reports cost $20 to file if you file them before April 15. If you file your annual report after April 15, it’ll set you back $35.
Registered Agent
Free: Any individual or company can be a registered agent in Montana. Technically, you can choose to be your own registered agent in Montana for nothing. However, you have to perform the duties of a registered agent, which means you need to be available at your LLC’s principal address during business hours. Alternatively, you can hire a registered agent for a minor fee.
Rather than spend hours looking for a qualified registered agent, check out our Montana Registered Agent Service
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There are more fees you have to look out for besides those for your Articles of Organization, annual reports, and registered agent service. Here are some other fees that you might encounter when running an LLC.
Assumed Business Name in Montana
An “Assumed Business Name” (or ABN) in Montana is a business name that you can use that’s distinct from your LLC’s official name. States variously refer to these names as DBA (or “Doing Business As”) names and Trade Names. In Montana, your LLC can have multiple Assumed Business Names. ABNs are great ways to freshen up your LLC’s image or present a new face to your customers.
You file a Registration of Assumed Business Name for each ABN you want. Each ABN form requires a $20 fee. File these forms with the Montana Secretary of State.
Certificate of Good Standing
$5: A Certificate of Good Standing in Montana shows that your LLC is complying with all of the laws of the state. You don’t need one when you first start your LLC. However, you’ll want to get one at some point. A Certificate of Good Standing allows your LLC to apply for funding with investors and banks, as well as open a business bank account.
Foreign LLC
Domestic LLCs are LLCs that have a Montana business address. Foreign LLCs are based outside of the state, and they require different business filings. To operate a foreign LLC in Montana, you need to file a Foreign Certificate of Authority with the Montana Secretary of State. The filing fee for this document is $70 plus an additional $50 for each series member (if you have a series LLC.)
Business Licensing
Virtually every business in Montana has to acquire business licenses, permits, and registrations. These licensure and permitting requirements are another Montana LLC cost. Most of these require a fee. It can be difficult to know which licenses, permits, and registrations you need for your business, especially because these requirements can originate from local, state, and federal authorities.
In collaboration with our partners at Avalara, we can produce a Business License Report for your business that shows exactly which licenses, permits, and registrations your LLC requires.
For just $0 plus state fees, we can form your Montana LLC for you in just minutes. No LegalZoom promo code required: Pay just $0 plus filing fees for fast LLC formation in Montana.
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Unfortunately, yes. If you fail to make timely payment for your fees, the state government may impose a late fee and interest. In the worst-case scenario, the Montana Secretary of State may revoke your business’s official status. This means that your LLC won’t officially exist, depriving you of many key business benefits.
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Generally, the state government won’t file your formation or licensing documents unless you have paid all fees in full. Depending on the related document, failure to file can lead to serious consequences, including the dissolution of your LLC.
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The Montana Secretary of State receives all of your filing fees.
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The largest LLC fee you can expect to pay is the Articles of Organization fee, which is at least $35. However, in some circumstances, the fees associated with your LLC’s business licenses and permits will be more expensive than your Articles of Organization fee.
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You can pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check using Montana’s online business portal. Neither cash nor cryptocurrency is an accepted form of payment.
How do I form my LLC in Montana?
1. Name your LLC
Begin by finding a great name for your LLC. Once you’ve thought of a few ideas, put your best candidate on your Articles of Organization form. You have almost unlimited possibilities when selecting your LLC’s name. However, any name you choose must:
- Contain the words “limited liability company,” “limited company,” or the abbreviations L.L.C., L.C, LLC, or LC.
- Not include words like “corporation”
- Be distinguishable from all existing LLC names
Once you’ve confirmed that your name meets these guidelines, you have the option to file a Name Reservation form with the Montana Secretary of State.
Name your LLC
Enter your desired business name to get started
2. Select a Registered Agent
Registered agents are critical to successfully running an LLC. They are responsible for receiving vital legal and financial documents on behalf of the LLC. Although almost anyone can be a registered agent, there are limitations. A registered agent must have a physical address in Montana and be available during regular business hours to take receipt of important documents for your LLC.
Rather than serving as your own registered agent, consider using a registered agent service. That way, you aren’t tied to your LLC’s physical office location and can focus on more important matters.
3. File your LLC’s Certificate of Formation
Your Articles of Organization will serve as the main foundation for your LLC. File it with the Montana Secretary of State online using their web portal. Contact the Montana Secretary of State’s office before filing by mail. You can contact the Montana Secretary of State at:
Montana Secretary of State
Montana Capitol Building
Rm 260
P.O. Box 202801
Helena, Montana 59620-2801
You can also call the Secretary of State’s front desk at 406-444-2034.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
Drafting a Montana Operating Agreement is a fantastic way to customize your LLC and optimize its efficiency. With an Operating Agreement, you and your co-owners (or members) have the opportunity to draft your own rules for how your LLC should operate. An Operating Agreement can touch on a wide variety of topics, including:
- Resolving conflicts and preventing business disagreements
- Clarifying how members (or managers) will divide up the LLC’s profits
- Handling the death or exit of a member/manager.
If you decide not to write your own Operating Agreement, you will have to operate your LLC according to Montana’s default rules for running limited liability companies. These are general rules, which will probably make them less than ideal for your specific business needs.
Worried about what rules you should include in your Operating Agreement? Looking for good ideas on where to start? Don’t worry, we have your back. Our Operating Agreement Template will make writing Operating Agreements a breeze.
5. Get an EIN
As Benjamin Franklin once stated, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” As such, it’s critical that your LLC pays taxes. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) allows your LLC to file federal income taxes. Although having an EIN isn’t a requirement if you only have one member, it’s a good idea to obtain one as soon as you start your business. With an EIN, you can open a business bank account and obtain an insurance policy for your LLC. And in addition to helping your LLC pay taxes, your EIN is essential for paying your employees.
You can apply for an EIN from the IRS. However, most people don’t dream about filling out paperwork with the IRS. If you need to focus on aspects of your business, we can help you get an EIN with our Employer ID Number Service.
Check Montana Annual Requirements
Montana has no state sales tax. Furthermore, Montana LLCs are by default pass-through entities, which means that the owners and members pay income taxes at a personal level. However, some Montana LLCs can elect to pay Montana’s corporate tax.
In addition, all Montana LLCs have to file an annual report by April 15. With our Annual Report Service, we can help keep your business compliant with the state’s annual reporting requirements.
Stay Legally Compliant
Everything changes over time. As your business expands and evolves, it’s only natural that you’ll have to make changes. For example, you might need to Amend your Certificate of Formation. You might also need to file Articles of Termination. Whatever the case, consider using our Worry-Free Compliance Service. With this service, you can file up to two amendments per year and stay ahead of your business’s compliance requirements.
We can help!
It isn’t easy to be a business owner. However, we’re here to share the burden and help you reach your goals. Whether you need assistance starting a business or keeping one going, we can help save you time and money. Let us give you a hand today!
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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