Montana LLC Cost
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What an Montana LLC really costs: the $35 filing, recurring report fees, optional services, and a five-year total.
The minimum state cost to start an LLC in Montana is $35. Keeping it in good standing then costs $20 a year in report fees, plus any entity-level tax. Here is the full breakdown.
One-time formation costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Formation document (Articles of Organization) | $35 |
| Name reservation (optional) | Typically $10 to $50 |
| Certified copy of the filing (optional) | Typically $5 to $30 |
| Expedited processing (optional) | Varies widely by state and speed |
| EIN | $0 directly from the IRS |
Recurring costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual or biennial report | $20 per year |
| Franchise or entity tax | None |
| Registered agent (optional) | $0 if you serve, or about $50 to $300 per year |
Total over five years
Assuming you file every required report on time, act as your own registered agent, and exclude entity-level taxes and optional extras, five years of state fees in Montana add up to about $135: $35 to form plus $100 in report fees. First-year state fees alone are about $55.
Optional professional services
- Formation services: many charge $0 to $299 on top of the state fee, and some upsell items you can do free
- Operating agreement: free to write yourself, or a few hundred dollars for an attorney-drafted version
- Registered agent: about $50 to $300 per year if you do not serve yourself
- Accounting and tax preparation: depends on complexity and is often the largest ongoing cost
How Montana compares
Montana's LLC filing fee is $35, $65 below the national median of $100. No other jurisdiction charges less to file. Filing fees are only part of the picture, so the table below sets Montana beside five states founders often consider.
| State | LLC filing fee | Annual report | Franchise or entity tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $35 | $20 yearly | None |
| Delaware | $110 | $300 yearly | Franchise tax $300 LLC / variable corp |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 yearly | None |
| Nevada | $425 | $350 yearly | Commerce Tax (revenue > $4M) |
| Texas | $300 | No fee yearly | Franchise tax (no-tax-due < $1.23M) |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 yearly | None |
Forming outside the state where you live and work rarely saves money. A business operating in Montana that forms elsewhere generally still has to register as a foreign LLC in Montana and pay both states' fees. Our best states for an LLC guide explains when an out-of-state filing makes sense.
Montana specific notes
Montana has one of the lowest LLC formation fees at $35 with a $20 annual report due April 15. No statewide sales tax.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to start an LLC in Montana?
What does it cost to keep a Montana LLC active?
Is it cheaper to form in another state?
Are there hidden costs to forming an LLC?
Sources & further reading
Disclaimer: Legal information, not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney or CPA in your state. See our full disclaimer.