Montana LLC Cost (2026)

See Montana LLC costs in 2026, including state filing fees, recurring fees, registered agent, EIN, taxes, licenses, and common add-on costs.

LLC Route Editorial Team

Reviewed against official state and federal resources.

Updated July 28, 2026

Educational guide, not legal or tax advice.

Montana LLC cost is low at the Secretary of State level. A domestic LLC Articles of Organization filing costs $35, and the Secretary of State waives the LLC annual report fee for reports filed between January 1 and April 15.

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 Department of Revenue, Montana Department of Labor and Industry, local agencies, IRS, and qualified professionals.

Most people need this first

If you are trying to decide…	Short answer
Articles of Organization	$35
Series LLC member add-on	$50 for each series member named
Annual report on time	Waived if filed Jan 1-Apr 15
Annual report after April 15	$35
Registered agent required?	Yes
Registered agent/office change	No fee
Name reservation	$10
Assumed business name	$20
EIN	$0 from IRS
General state sales tax	Montana has no general sales tax

For many Montana LLCs, the practical order is:

Search name -> choose Montana registered agent -> file Articles of Organization -> create operating agreement -> get EIN if needed -> register withholding or other DOR accounts when required -> register UI employer account if hiring -> check local and industry licenses -> file annual report between January 1 and April 15

Montana LLC cost at a glance

Cost or requirement	Amount	What to know
Articles of Organization	$35	Main domestic LLC formation filing
Annual report filed Jan 1-Apr 15	Waived	Required, but current waiver removes the on-time fee
Annual report after April 15	$35	Late annual report cost
Reinstatement	$35 + $35/year	For each year of delinquent annual reports
Name reservation	$10	Optional
Assumed business name	$20	If using a DBA-style public name
Registered office/agent change	No fee	Listed as no fee on SOS fee schedule
EIN	$0	Free directly from IRS
Montana DOR accounts	Usually no LLC formation fee	Withholding, alcohol, cannabis, lodging, or other accounts may apply
Local or industry licenses	Varies	Depends on location and activity

Formation filing cost

Montana Secretary of State lists domestic LLC Articles of Organization at $35. If the LLC is a series LLC, the fee schedule also lists $50 for each series member named in the series LLC.

The formation fee does not include:

Registered agent service
EIN filing help from a private company
Montana withholding account
Unemployment insurance employer account
Assumed business name registration
eStop business license
Local business or occupation license
Professional or industry license
Operating agreement

Annual report cost

Montana LLCs must file an annual report. The current Secretary of State guidance says annual report fees are waived for reports filed between January 1 and April 15. The fee schedule lists LLC annual reports filed after April 15 at $35.

Do not confuse the annual report with taxes. It updates the Secretary of State business record; it is not a federal return, Montana income tax filing, withholding filing, unemployment report, or local license renewal.

Cost FAQ

How much does it cost to start a Montana LLC?

The domestic LLC Articles of Organization fee is $35.

Is the Montana LLC annual report free?

The current Secretary of State guidance says the fee is waived for annual reports filed between January 1 and April 15. Late reports after April 15 are listed at $35.

Does Montana LLC formation include tax registration?

No. DOR, unemployment, and license registrations are separate when they apply.

Does Montana have sales tax?

Montana does not have a general state sales tax, but specific taxes and licenses can still apply based on activity.

Official resources

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.ArticlesLearn 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.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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