Montana LLC costs: summary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State filing fee | $35 |
| Each series (series LLCs only) | $50 |
| Annual Report | Free if filed January 1 to April 15 (the state has waived the $20 fee through 2027); $35 after April 15 |
| Certificate of Existence (Optional) | $5 |
| Business License or Permit | Varies by city and industry |
| Registered Agent | $0 (self) or $50–$300 per year |
| Reserving a Business Name (Optional) | $10.00 |
| Registering a DBA (Assumed Business Name) | $20.00 |
| Operating Agreement (Optional) | $0–$1,000 |
When you’re thinking about starting a Montana LLC, but you’re concerned that it could be expensive or difficult, having plenty of information on the process can help. That way you know what to expect and can make a wise decision about getting your business off the ground. All too often, people think about starting up a business but they don’t do it. Why? Typically due to the initial costs and the level of work involved.
It’s also common to feel confused about where to start, so they put their focus somewhere else and forget about their business dreams. It’s completely understandable, but it doesn’t have to be your reality. Instead, you can get the support you need to move toward your LLC creation dreams. If you want a little help to do that, working with an LLC formation service is the right answer.
Doing that can remove a lot of potential pressure and make it more convenient to get your Montana LLC formed faster and with less potential for problems. The cost of forming an LLC varies depending on the state where you live, so you want to be clear on the costs before getting started. Then, you can move toward your business plans and goals with more confidence.
Here, we’ll look into the costs of forming an LLC in Montana, so you can prepare yourself and get started on your business venture.
General steps and costs when forming a Montana LLC
Before you start on your official Montana LLC formation process, you need to be sure you understand the steps to take and the cost for each of them. It’s important that you don’t get partway through the LLC creation process and then realize that unexpected costs are causing serious problems. Naturally, that’s something you want to take time to avoid. The more you know in advance the more you can enjoy your business’ creation and experience peace of mind.
Naming your Montana LLC
There’s good news about the first steps to naming your LLC in Montana, as the Montana entity search is completely free. This search will tell you if someone in the state is already using the name you’re considering, so you’ll know if you need to pick a new one. If you want to reserve a business name, that will cost you $10 for 120 days (the reservation can’t be renewed), and registering a Doing Business As (DBA) costs $20. Reserving a name is optional. You only need a DBA if you want to do business under a name other than your LLC’s legal name, but if you do, Montana requires you to register it.
Filing articles of organization
Filing your Articles of Organization in Montana costs $35. If you are creating a series LLC, add $50 for each series member. A series LLC involves having multiple LLCs where one is usually the parent of other child LLCs.
Along with these Articles there are a few other filing fees to consider. For example, a Certificate of Existence will cost you $5. Correcting or amending your articles costs $15. Changing your registered agent or registered office is free with a statement of change.
Appointing a registered agent
If you’re serving as your own registered agent or appointing someone on your own you won’t have any costs associated with doing this. Professional registered agent services generally cost $50–$300 per year. If you choose to use a registered agent service like the one we offer, you can expect to pay a starting amount of $199 per year. This can be well worth it for anyone who’s starting up an LLC and may not be familiar with how to handle or manage everything. It’s very convenient to have some help in that area.
Creating an operating agreement
You don’t need an Operating Agreement for your LLC (it can be oral or written; MCA 35-8-109), but it’s still a good idea to create one. That’s because it helps increase the protection of the LLC members and the business itself. The cost of creating this agreement can range from $0 if you do it yourself to $1,000 if you work with an attorney. Using our operating service won’t cost as much as hiring an attorney, and you’ll know the agreement contains everything it should to provide you with peace of mind.
Other annual and additional Montana LLC costs
Filing your annual report
Every Montana LLC must file an annual report by April 15 each year, starting the year after formation. The report is free if filed January 1 to April 15 (the state has waived the $20 fee through 2027); $35 after April 15.
Business licenses & permits
While the State doesn’t have a specific, statewide requirement for a Montana business license there are a variety of small business licenses that are regulated at the city and county level. Additionally, the State issues professional licenses that are tied to certain types of occupations. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry (which runs the eStop licensing portal) and the Department of Revenue are both great places to find information on the exact licensing requirements your business will have.
Some of the more common permits and licenses you may need when you create a Montana LLC are based on the type of business itself and the city or rural area (county) in which it’s located. These could include:
- Agricultural licenses for fertilizer dealers, honey bee keepers, seed dealers, etc.
- Gambling and casino-related activities
- Cannabis
- Contracting
- Beer, wine, and liquor
- City or County Licenses
What expenses you can write off
Many LLC formation and startup costs in Montana may be deductible on federal taxes; check with a tax professional. That can help you regain some of the money you originally paid to get started, so you can have a better financial position as you work to develop and grow your LLC. Many businesses lose money in their first year or two of operation, so you want to take advantage of every legal way to save money when getting started. The main costs you can deduct include:
- Cost for Articles of Organization
- Filing Fees
- Operating Agreement Costs
- Registered Agent Costs
- Doing Business As Fees
- Attorney Fees
Montana LLC State Fees
The following fees are taken from the Secretary of State’s site (see here):
| Form/Service | Fee |
| Domestic | |
| Articles Of Organization | $35.00 plus $50.00 for each series member named in the series LLC |
| Articles Of Correction | $15.00 |
| Articles Of Amendment | $15.00 |
| Restated Articles Of Organization | $15.00 |
| Articles Of Merger | $20.00 |
| Application For Reviver | $15.00 |
| Articles Of Termination | NO FEE |
| Reinstatement | $35.00 plus an additional fee of $35.00/year for each year of delinquent annual reports |
| Certificate Of Existence | $5.00 |
| Foreign | |
| Certificate Of Authority | $70.00 plus $50.00 for each series member named in the series LLC |
| Amended Certificate Of Authority | $15.00 plus $50.00 for each series member named in the series LLC |
| Certificate Of Withdrawal | NO FEE |
| Registration Of Name | $10.00/yr |
| Renewal Of Name Registration | $10.00/yr |
Conclusion
You can set up an LLC in Montana without a lot of stress or complication. It’s easier when you have help, though, because it takes the guesswork out of what you’re doing. That’s why using an LLC creation service is so convenient, because you don’t have to worry about setting everything up. Instead, you can focus on the future of your business. Montana is a business-friendly state in many ways, and has reasonable requirements and low fees. With a little guidance it’s easy to get started on making your LLC ownership dreams come true.
FAQ
The Articles of Organization filing fee is $35.
You must file an annual report by April 15 each year, starting the year after formation. It’s free if filed January 1 to April 15 (the state has waived the $20 fee through 2027); $35 after April 15.
Professional registered agent services typically range from $50 to $300 per year, or you can serve as your own agent at no cost.
You may pay $10 to reserve a business name and expedited processing fees of $20 for 24-hour or $100 for one-hour turnaround.
Yes, having a registered agent is required when you’re operating an LLC. You can serve as your own registered agent if you want to, but you need a Montana street address and availability to accept legal papers. Even if you live in the state, you should be available during standard weekday operating hours, in case you need to receive any official or legal correspondence on the LLC’s behalf.