Montana LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes
Initial state filing fee: $35. Ongoing annual report fee: $20 (annual). No state franchise tax.
Check if your LLC name is taken on official Montana database
Every LLC name must be legally distinguishable on state records. Perform a free corporate name lookup on the official Montana Secretary of State registry before submitting your $35 Articles of Organization.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Montana?
An LLC in Montana costs $35 to form (one-time state filing fee) and $20 per year in annual report fees. The estimated total 5-year cost is $310, including state fees, annual reports, and registered agent service.
| Fee Component | Statutory Cost | Frequency | Due Date / Requirement | Recipient Entity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Filing Fee) | $35 | One-time | Upon LLC formation | Montana Secretary of State |
| Periodic Annual / Biennial Report | $20 | annual | Due April 15 annually | Montana Secretary of State |
| State Franchise Tax / Entity Fee | $0 | None | No franchise tax | N/A |
| Registered Agent Service | $0 (Self) or $39–$125 | Annual | Continuous requirement | Appointed agent / Commercial service |
| Operating Agreement & Federal EIN | $0 (Free) | One-time | Internal record / IRS issuance | Internal Company Record / IRS |
| Total Minimum Initial Formation | $35 (State statutory fees to open LLC) | |||
Montana LLC 5-Year Cost Model
MTChoose a state and assumptions. Your five-year estimate updates instantly.
Future years assume today's reviewed rates remain unchanged. Historical estimates are not enabled because older rules have not been fully verified.
This estimate covers liabilities incurred in five taxable years (2026–2030), even when payment is due later.
Future years use an unchanged-current-law assumption. Income tax, legal advice, penalties, and unselected optional services are excluded.
Initial formation fee ($35) + registered agent
Annual report ($20/yr)
Estimated liability for the selected inputs and disclosed scope in Montana.
Five taxable years by cost category(Click any year to inspect)
Select a year to inspect its included liabilities and applicable tax due date.
Tax year 2026 included items
Total: $745-Year Budget Allocation by Cost Category
Open a zero-fee business checking account for your Montana LLC
Separate your business finances immediately to preserve limited liability corporate veil protection.
Montana LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)
Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the Montana Secretary of State.
Montana Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules
No state franchise tax on LLCs.
Advantages of a Montana LLC
- $35 initial filing fee (one of the lowest in US)
- No state general sales tax
- Low $20/yr annual report
Drawbacks & Hidden Costs
- Late annual report fee jumps to $35 after April 15
Founder Pro-Tip for Montana
Filing between Jan 1 and April 15 keeps the fee at just $20.
Step-by-Step Montana LLC Formation Checklist (2026)
Choose an Available Entity Name
Must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company" and be distinguishable on the Montana Secretary of State registry.
Appoint a Montana Registered Agent
Must have a physical street address in Montana (no P.O. boxes) to receive official service of process during regular business hours.
File Articles of Organization ($35 State Fee)
Submit electronically to the Montana Secretary of State. Approval is typically granted within Instant to 2 business days.
Execute an Operating Agreement & Obtain Federal EIN
Establish member capital contributions, voting rights, and obtain a free 9-digit EIN from IRS.gov for business checking accounts.
Maintain Ongoing Legal Good Standing (April 15 annually)
Submit the annual report with the $20 fee to prevent automatic forfeiture or late fee assessments.
Montana LLC Cost FAQ
Common questions about forming and maintaining an LLC in Montana.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Montana?
The state filing fee to form an LLC in Montana is $35, paid to the Montana Secretary of State when you file your Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($39–$125/yr), expect to pay approximately $74 in your first year.
What is the Montana LLC filing fee for 2026?
The Montana LLC filing fee is $35. This is a one-time fee paid to the Montana Secretary of State to register your Articles of Organization. Expedited processing is available for an additional $20. Normal processing time is Instant to 2 business days.
What are the annual fees for an LLC in Montana?
Montana charges a annual report fee of $20, due April 15 annually. There is no state franchise tax for standard LLCs in Montana, making ongoing costs relatively low.
How much does it cost to maintain a Montana LLC per year?
The annual cost to maintain a Montana LLC includes the annual report fee ($20), and a registered agent ($39–$125/yr). Over 5 years, the estimated total cost is $310.
Does Montana have a franchise tax for LLCs?
No. Montana does not impose a franchise tax or entity-level tax on standard domestic LLCs. This makes Montana one of the more affordable states for LLC maintenance.
Can I form an LLC in Montana if I live in another state?
Yes, you can form a domestic LLC in Montana regardless of where you live. However, if your principal business operations are in a different state, you will also need to register as a Foreign LLC in that state. In Montana, foreign LLC registration costs $70 plus $20/year in ongoing fees — often resulting in paying double.
Compare Montana with Rival & Neighboring States
Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions: