Montana's annual report keeps your business in good standing with the Secretary of State. You'll update basic information, such as your business address, registered agent, and current officers or managers—nothing complex, just confirming the details are still accurate.
This isn't a financial filing or tax document like a franchise tax return—you’re simply telling the state how to reach you and who’s running your business. You must file online through the Montana Secretary of State portal, as Montana no longer accepts paper filings.
If you keep a formal business entity on Montana's rolls, you can't ignore the annual report. The Secretary of State expects an update from every active entity each year, and skipping it puts your good standing at risk.
Every active corporation in Montana must file, regardless of whether it is a profit or nonprofit entity. The same goes for all limited liability companies, including professional LLCs. If you're a foreign-registered business in Montana, you're also on the hook for these reports. Size doesn't matter, revenue doesn't matter; if you're registered, you're required to file.
The exemptions are straightforward:
When it comes to who can actually submit the report, Montana gives you options. Corporate officers and directors can file directly, as can LLC members or managers. Your registered agent can handle it for you, or you can authorize any third-party service to submit the report on your behalf.
Montana only accepts reports through their online business portal. Mail them a paper form and they'll send it right back. Before you start, grab your Folder ID, a credit card, and any updated addresses or officer information.
Here's what to do:
Download your confirmation page afterward, as banks and licensing boards love proof of good standing.
Montana keeps things simple with these reports. The online portal opens January 1, and corporations or LLCs must file annual reports by April 15.
This deadline doesn't bend, even in fee-waiver years like 2025. However, new businesses get one break: Montana skips the initial report requirement. But your first filing is due on April 15 after formation.
The typical filing fee for Montana annual reports is $20. However, Montana has waived annual report filing fees for businesses filing by April 15 in 2024 and 2025. If filed after April 15, the late fee is $15. The state only accepts online filings, which keeps things simple.
The fee structure applies to all entity types, so nonprofits pay the same as for-profit companies. You can't pre-pay for multiple years either, so you'll handle this every spring.
Before you click "File My Annual Report," gather every detail the Montana Secretary of State's online form will demand. The portal first asks for baseline facts that apply to every entity:
Next, the form branches depending on your structure. Corporations must list each officer and director, together with titles and addresses. LLCs substitute members or managers for officers, and nonprofits repeat the corporate model: officers and directors only. For address formatting, the system expects the standard U.S. format: street, city, state, and ZIP
When all fields look right, you'll certify the report with an electronic signature. Type your name, choose your capacity, be it officer, director, member, manager, or registered agent, and the system stamps the filing as legally binding.
Miss the due date and you're immediately on the state's radar. Montana's penalties escalate quickly, so a simple oversight can snowball into the complete loss of your company's legal existence.
First, a flat $15 late fee attaches to every report filed after the due date. If you miss the deadline, your entity will eventually be dropped from good standing after further administrative action by the Secretary of State.
Corporations and LLCs that fail to comply with the report will face administrative dissolution. Once that happens, you forfeit:
Reversing the damage is possible but costly. You must submit every overdue report online, pay the accumulated late fees, and cover any reinstatement charges listed in the Secretary of State's fee schedule. Only after the office processes the filings will your good-standing certificate become available again.
If you're winding down operations, don't simply stop filing. File a formal dissolution or withdrawal through the Secretary of State's portal to close the company's records cleanly and avoid accumulating fees for a company that no longer exists on paper.
Can I file my Montana annual report early?
Yes. The online portal opens on January 1, so you can complete the filing as soon as the new year begins. Submitting early still keeps you covered through the deadline, and you avoid the last-minute rush.
Are there extensions available for the deadline?
Montana doesn't grant formal extensions. If you miss it, you simply file late and pay the $15 penalty. Domestic entities that ignore the report will face administrative dissolution on December 1, while foreign entities will be revoked on November 1.
What if my business information changes after I file?
The filing captures a snapshot in time. If you later change your registered agent, principal address, or officers, you must file the appropriate amendment through the same online portal. Fees vary by filing type, but amendments prevent mismatched records that can derail future transactions.
Do I need to file an initial report for my new Montana business?
No. Unlike some states, Montana skips the initial-report hurdle. Your first obligation is to submit by the first April 15 after formation or qualification.
How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing?
Once all reports are current and any penalties paid, you can request the certificate directly from the Secretary of State's online services. The document is generated immediately and is downloadable as a PDF, making it easy to share with banks, vendors, or licensing boards.
Managing annual reports and compliance requirements across multiple states can be complex and time-consuming. Discern offers a comprehensive solution designed specifically for businesses with multiple entities across various jurisdictions.
With Discern's platform, you can manage all your compliance needs from a single dashboard, track deadlines automatically, and file reports in minutes instead of hours. Our system handles multi-state compliance simultaneously, pre-fills forms with your entity information, and ensures you never miss a critical deadline again. Book a demo today to get started.
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