How to Start an LLC in Montana (2026)

From The Business Formation Podcast · 8:49

Show by The Business Formation Podcast

To start an LLC in Montana, you file Articles of Organization online with the Montana Secretary of State, and the fee is $35. Every step for 2026, including Montana's online-only filing, the annual report due April 15, and the three best ways to have it filed for you. The 3 best ways to file in Montana (2026) Mainstay Filing (our pick): $199/yr + state fee ($234 at checkout with Montana's $35 fee). Includes your Articles filed, your EIN application, your registered agent every year and your annual report filed by April 15. Renews at $199/yr. https://www.mainstayfiling.com/montana/llc/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod-llc-montana Registered Agent MT.org: $199 + state fee ($234 at checkout). Prepares and files your Articles of Organization, with the first year of registered agent service free, then $99/yr. https://www.registeredagentmt.org/llc/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod-llc-montana Montana Registered Agent.co: $199 + state fee ($234 at checkout). Forms your Montana LLC with the first year of registered agent service free, then $99/yr. https://www.montanaregisteredagent.co/llc/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod-llc-montana Chapters 0:00 The short answer0:28 Step 1: Choose a name0:52 Step 2: Name a registered agent1:19 Step 3: File Articles of Organization1:53 Step 4: Write an operating agreement2:13 Step 5: Get a free EIN2:42 Step 6: File the annual report3:14 What it costs3:49 Online only4:14 Choosing your agent4:35 Why the annual report matters5:04 What the Articles ask for5:21 Fixing a lapse5:58 First-year checklist6:31 The 3 best ways to file in Montana7:54 Three years of service fees8:20 Recap Montana LLC facts (checked October 7, 2026) Filing: Articles of Organization through the Montana Secretary of State's Business Filing Portal (online only): $35. 24-hour priority $20; 1-hour expedite $100. Name: must contain "limited liability company," "limited company," "l.l.c.," "l.c.," "llc" or "lc." Reservation: 120 days, $10. Registered agent: a commercial registered agent, or a noncommercial agent at an actual street address in Montana. Change: no fee. Operating agreement: not filed. EIN: free from the IRS at IRS.gov. Annual report: January 1 to April 15 each year, starting the year after formation; the on-time fee is currently waived; after April 15, $35. Unfiled reports lead to default and involuntary dissolution. No beneficial ownership (BOI) report for U.S. companies (FinCEN). Sources Montana Secretary of State, business fees: https://sosmt.gov/business/fees/ Help center, online-only filing: https://help.sosmt.gov/en/article/why-are-paper-forms-not-accepted-laqq09/ Help center, annual report: https://help.sosmt.gov/en/article/how-do-i-file-my-annual-report-ffxyld/ IRS, Get an EIN: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number FinCEN, BOI: https://www.fincen.gov/boi Company prices from each company's own page and checkout, October 7, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.

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