Form a Montana LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
Montana LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in Montana | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Annual Report | Every year | Yes | Optional filing service, $299/yr |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
Montana LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State, Business Services, which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
Montana LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and April 15 each year. The first one is due between January 1 and April 15 of the year after the LLC is formed.
You also need a registered agent in Montana every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a Montana address and are there in business hours.
- Annual reports are filed online through the Secretary of State's portal at biz.sosmt.gov.
- Reports filed after April 15 are subject to a late penalty.
What a "$0" Montana LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The Montana filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + Montana filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + Montana filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + Montana filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
Sources
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Montana?
Montana charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: Montana LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and April 15 each year.
What are the yearly costs of a Montana LLC?
Montana LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and April 15 each year. You also need a registered agent in Montana every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a Montana LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the Montana Secretary of State, Business Services, act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in Montana?
No. The Montana filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
