Montana LLC Formation
Form an LLC in Montana: Fees, Deadlines & What to File
The state filing is only the starting point — here's what forming an LLC in Montana actually costs, and what else you need beyond the state paperwork to be properly protected.
State Filing Fee
$35
Paid once, when your formation document is filed with the state.
Annual Fee
$20
Due by April 15.
What the state filing actually covers
Filing your formation document with Montana creates your LLC as a legal entity — but the state filing alone doesn't cover the internal terms that actually govern how your business runs, what happens if a member leaves, or how ownership and profits are split. That's the job of your operating agreement, which Montana doesn't require you to file but which governs everything the state filing doesn't address.
What you still need beyond the state paperwork
An Operating Agreement
Ownership splits, voting rights, and buyout terms — the document that actually governs disputes.
A Registered Agent
A person or service with a Montana address to receive legal notices on the LLC's behalf.
An EIN
Needed to open a business bank account and hire, sequenced correctly against your Montana formation date.
Ongoing Compliance
Your annual $20 fee, due by April 15.
Get your Montana operating agreement drafted
A licensed attorney drafts your operating agreement around Montana's specific default rules — not a generic 50-state template.
Related Reading
Guides Worth Reading Before You File
Other States
Forming Elsewhere?
Fees shown reflect published state rates and are subject to change by the state at any time — always confirmed for your specific filing during intake.