Montana LLC Articles of Organization (2026)

Learn how to file the Montana LLC formation document in 2026, what information to prepare, what the filing fee covers, and what to do after approval.

LLC Route Editorial Team

Reviewed against official state and federal resources.

Updated July 28, 2026

Educational guide, not legal or tax advice.

Montana calls the main domestic LLC formation filing Articles of Organization. The filing fee is $35, plus $50 for each series member named if using a series LLC structure.

Educational note: This guide is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Confirm current requirements with Montana Secretary of State, Montana DOR, Montana Department of Labor and Industry, IRS, and qualified professionals.

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Item	Montana answer
Formation document	Articles of Organization
Filing agency	Montana Secretary of State
Filing fee	$35
Series member add-on	$50 each if named in a series LLC
Registered agent required?	Yes
Annual report	Required
On-time annual report fee	Waived Jan 1-Apr 15
EIN included?	No
Tax registration included?	No

What the Articles do

The Articles of Organization create the Montana LLC record. They do not automatically create:

Operating agreement
EIN
Montana DOR tax account
Withholding account
Unemployment insurance employer account
eStop business license
Assumed business name
Local license
Professional or industry license
Annual report filing

Information to prepare

Before filing, prepare:

LLC legal name
Registered agent name
Registered agent physical Montana address
Principal mailing address
Whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed
Organizer or authorized signer information
Whether the LLC is a series LLC
Payment method
Follow-up tax or license registrations that may apply

After approval

Save the approved Articles of Organization.
Sign the operating agreement.
Get EIN from IRS if needed.
Register Montana withholding or other DOR accounts if required.
Register UI employer account if hiring covered employees.
Check eStop, local, and professional licenses.
File the annual report between January 1 and April 15.

Filing FAQ

How much does it cost?

The domestic LLC Articles of Organization fee is $35.

Does formation include EIN?

No. EIN is separate and free from IRS.

Does Montana require LLC annual reports?

Yes. Annual reports are required, and the current Secretary of State guidance waives the fee for reports filed between January 1 and April 15.

Official resources

CostSee Montana LLC costs in 2026, including state filing fees, recurring fees, registered agent, EIN, taxes, licenses, and common add-on costs.TimeSee Montana LLC processing time factors in 2026, including online filing, paper filing, name issues, registered agent mistakes, EIN timing, and next steps.NameLearn how to search a Montana LLC name in 2026, check distinguishability, avoid name rejection, and separate legal names from DBAs, domains, and trademarks.Registered AgentUnderstand Montana registered agent rules for LLCs in 2026, including who can serve, address requirements, privacy tradeoffs, and when to use a service.AgreementLearn what a Montana LLC operating agreement should cover in 2026, why banks and partners ask for it, and how it supports ownership and management.EINLearn when a Montana LLC needs an EIN in 2026, how to apply through the IRS for free, and how EIN timing affects banking, payroll, and tax accounts.

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