Montana LLC Formation: $35 State Fee — Cheapest in America

No state charges less to form an LLC than Montana. The Articles of Organization filing fee is $35. There is no state sales tax. The annual report is just $20. And changing your registered agent is free. Montana delivers one of the most cost-effective environments for business formation in the entire country.

Why Montana?

An LLC protects your personal assets from business liabilities. If the business gets sued or incurs debt, your personal savings, home, and bank accounts are generally off-limits to creditors. Montana adds several unique advantages:

• $35 formation fee — lowest in the nation
• No state sales tax — simplifies operations enormously
• $20 annual report — minimal ongoing state cost
• No franchise tax for LLCs
• Model Registered Agents Act — clear, modern statutory framework

Montana LLCs have pass-through taxation by default. Business income flows to your personal tax return without a separate corporate filing.

Cost Breakdown

First-year total (standard processing + agent): $134. Ongoing annual cost: $119 ($20 report + $99 agent). This is among the lowest ongoing LLC maintenance costs in the country.

Formation Steps

1. Choose Your LLC Name

Must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." and be distinguishable from every other entity registered with the Montana Secretary of State. Search the state business database at sosmt.gov before committing.

2. Appoint a Registered Agent

Montana requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. Under the Model Registered Agents Act, the entity cannot serve as its own agent — you need a separate individual or business entity.

Montana Registered Agent.co fulfills this requirement for $99/year. Our address goes on your filing and your personal address stays private.

3. File Articles of Organization

Submit to the Montana Secretary of State at sosmt.gov with the $35 fee. Include:

• LLC name
• Principal office address
• Registered agent name and address
• Management type (member-managed or manager-managed)
• Organizer information
• Duration (perpetual is standard)

Standard processing: 3 to 5 business days. Expedited: 1 to 2 business days for an additional $20.

4. Draft an Operating Agreement

Not filed with the state, but essential for your business. Defines ownership, profit allocation, decision-making, and dissolution procedures. Banks ask for it when opening business accounts. Courts rely on it during disputes.

5. Obtain an EIN

Free from IRS.gov. Takes 10 minutes online. You receive the number immediately. Required for bank accounts, hiring, and tax filing.

6. Open a Business Bank Account

Maintain complete separation between personal and business finances. This is what preserves the liability shield of your LLC. Mix the two and a court can "pierce the veil."

Ongoing Requirements

• Annual report: $20, due April 15 each year. Miss it and the $15 late penalty applies.
• Registered agent: Must be maintained continuously. Cannot be the entity itself.
• State taxes: Montana has state income tax. No sales tax.
• Federal taxes: Pass-through to your personal return by default.

Our Role

We are the registered agent you list on your Montana LLC formation documents. For $99/year:

• Our physical Montana address goes on your Secretary of State filings
• Documents received are scanned and forwarded the same business day
• We send reminders before your April 15 annual report deadline
• Your personal address never appears in state records
• Changing agents in Montana is free if you ever need to adjust

Sign Up — $99/yr