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 2026 and 2027, 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 to $1,500 for complete formation packages, including customized operating agreements and compliance guidance. CPA consultations cost $100 to $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 apply to annual reports submitted after the April 15 deadline, with a $35 fee for late filers. Extended non-compliance can lead to administrative dissolution. According to the Montana SOS Business Services Division, entities that remain non-compliant receive dissolution notices. Reinstatement requires a $35 base fee plus $35 for each year of delinquent annual reports; consult the SOS or qualified counsel for the applicable reinstatement window for your entity.
Discern manages Montana LLC formation, delivers professional registered agent services, and automatically handles annual report filings to prevent late penalties and administrative dissolution.
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.
Are there hidden fees when forming a Montana LLC?
All official state filing fees and services are listed on the Montana SOS fee schedule. Optional services like expedited processing ($20 to $100) or professional registered agents create additional costs, but Montana's base requirements are transparent at $35 total.
Can I get refunds if my filing is rejected?
No dedicated refund policy page is readily visible on the Montana SOS website. Careful preparation and name verification help prevent rejections that may require repaying the full $35 fee. Contact the SOS Business Services Division at (406) 444-3665 for case-specific refund questions.
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.
.png)
.png){kind=small}