Form your company in Montana

Why form an LLC in Montana?

Montana has one of the lowest filing fees and no sales tax, but it does levy a personal income tax, so it fits founders actually based there. For a non-resident, Wyoming or New Mexico usually remains the simpler choice.

A quick reminder from us: forming in a state where you do not actually operate usually means you still have to register (foreign-qualify) in your home state, often with little or no tax benefit. If you are unsure, tell us how you plan to operate and we will recommend the right fit — free.

Costs and fees

The Montana Secretary of State charges roughly $35 to file Articles of Organization, with an ongoing state cost of about $20/yr report (fee waived thru 2027 if filed by Apr 15). No sales tax; personal income tax applies. Annual report fee is $20 but waived through 2027 for on-time filers. State fees are paid directly to the state and are separate from our service fee.

• Filing fee: $35 (approximate)
• Ongoing state cost: $20/yr report (fee waived thru 2027 if filed by Apr 15)
• Typical processing time: Same day online

Taxes and privacy

Personal state income tax in Montana: Yes (no sales tax). Owner privacy on the public record is generally rated medium.

Your federal tax obligations (and your EIN) are the same regardless of the state you choose — a single-member LLC is taxed as a pass-through by default, and we can obtain your EIN even if you do not have an SSN.

Pros of forming in Montana

• Lowest-in-class $35 one-time filing fee
• No statewide sales tax
• Annual report fee ($20) is currently waived through 2027 when filed on time by April 15
• Online filing via the Montana SOS ePass portal is fast
• Member names are not required on the public Articles of Organization

Things to weigh

• Personal state income tax applies to Montana-source income
• The annual report is still mandatory every April 15; miss it and a $15 late fee (plus the $20 base once the waiver ends) and dissolution risk apply
• Fee waiver is temporary (set to expire after 2027) and could revert to the standard $20
• No anonymity advantage over Wyoming/New Mexico for remote founders

Banking for your Montana LLC

Montana formation does not affect US business banking. Mercury, Relay, Wise and many banks onboard Montana LLCs regardless of owner location; no Montana-specific banking restriction exists. Expect normal KYC (EIN, formation docs, beneficial-owner ID).

Whichever state you choose, we prepare the documents banks ask for and can obtain your EIN even without an SSN. Bank and provider approval is always their decision — we are not affiliated with any bank.

Is Montana right for you?

Best for: Montana residents; no-sales-tax operators. If you operate physically in Montana, forming here keeps things simple. If you are a remote or non-US founder without a specific reason to choose Montana, a low-cost, privacy-friendly state like Wyoming or New Mexico is often the better default.

Not sure? Start your application and we will confirm the best state for your situation before anything is filed.