Montana offers one of America's most affordable LLC formation options with a $35 filing fee and no annual franchise taxes. The state's current leadership has made business formation even more attractive by waiving annual report fees for 2025, creating additional savings for entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.
Understanding the complete cost picture, from mandatory filing fees to optional professional services, ensures proper budgeting while avoiding surprise expenses that can disrupt your business.
Montana's mandatory expenses remain minimal compared to most states, with no hidden fees or publication requirements:
Beyond Montana's required $35 filing fee, additional services can streamline formation and prevent future complications:
Legal assistance becomes valuable for complex ownership structures or unique tax situations. Montana attorneys typically charge $500-1,500 for complete formation packages, including customized operating agreements and compliance guidance. CPA consultations cost $100-300 and often prevent expensive tax mistakes.
Online formation services offer middle-ground pricing, with basic packages starting at $0 in service fees (Montana's $35 state fee still applies) while comprehensive plans include registered agent services and ongoing compliance support.
Several optional filings may apply depending on your business needs:
The IRS provides free Employer Identification Numbers directly, so you can get one by registering with the government.
Montana eliminates many recurring expenses that burden businesses in other states:
Montana LLCs benefit from pass-through taxation with no state-level franchise or privilege taxes. This eliminates the annual entity-level taxation found in states like California ($800 minimum) or Delaware (varying rates).
Late filing penalties include a $15 fee for missed annual report deadlines, with potential administrative dissolution for extended non-compliance.
Are there hidden fees when forming a Montana LLC?
No mandatory hidden fees exist. Optional services like expedited processing ($20-100) or professional registered agents create additional costs, but Montana's base requirements remain transparent at $35 total.
Can I get refunds if my filing is rejected?
Montana doesn't provide refunds once processing begins. Careful preparation and name verification prevent rejections that require repaying the full $35 fee.
How do Montana's costs compare nationally?
Montana ranks among the lowest-cost states nationally. The $35 formation fee significantly undercuts high-cost states like Massachusetts ($500) while offering comparable benefits to budget-friendly alternatives.
What's included in the $35 filing fee?
The fee covers state processing of your Articles of Organization, entity registration, and issuance of your official formation documents. No additional charges apply for standard processing.
Discern manages Montana LLC formation, delivers professional registered agent services, and automatically handles annual renewals to prevent late penalties.
When you're ready to expand beyond Montana, our platform handles formation filings and ongoing compliance across all 51 jurisdictions without coordinating multiple vendors. Book a demo today and discover how Discern streamlines Montana formation and ongoing compliance management.
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