How Much Does an LLC Cost in Montana

LLC Cost in Montana 

When you’re thinking about starting a Montana LLC, but you’re concerned that it could be expensive or difficult, having plenty of information on the process can help. That way you know what to expect and can make a wise decision about getting your business off the ground. All too often, people think about starting up a business but they don’t do it. Why? Typically due to the initial costs and the level of work involved.

It’s also common to feel confused about where to start, so they put their focus somewhere else and forget about their business dreams. It’s completely understandable, but it doesn’t have to be your reality. Instead, you can get the support you need to move toward your LLC creation dreams. If you want a little help to do that, working with an LLC formation service is the right answer.

Doing that can remove a lot of potential pressure and make it more convenient to get your Montana LLC formed faster and with less potential for problems. The cost of forming an LLC varies depending on the state where you live, so you want to be clear on the costs before getting started. Then, you can move toward your business plans and goals with more confidence.

Here, we’ll look into the costs of forming an LLC in Montana, so you can prepare yourself and get started on your business venture.

General steps and costs when forming a Montana LLC

Before you start on the official creation of your Montana LLC you need to be sure you understand the steps to take and the cost for each of them. It’s important that you don’t get partway through the LLC creation process and then realize that unexpected costs are causing serious problems. Naturally, that’s something you want to take time to avoid. The more you know in advance the more you can enjoy your business’ creation and experience peace of mind.

Naming your Montana LLC

There’s good news about the first steps to naming your LLC in Montana, as the name search is completely free. This search will tell you if someone in the state is already using the name you’re considering, so you’ll know if you need to pick a new one. If you want to reserve a business name, that will cost you $10, and registering a Doing Business As (DBA) costs $20. Both of those are optional costs for naming your LLC, as you don’t have to do business under a different name or reserve a name if you don’t want to.

Filing articles of organization

Filing your Articles of Organization in Montana costs $35, along with $50 for each member named in the series LLC. Along with these Articles there are a few other filing fees to consider. For example, a Certificate of Existence will cost you $5, and if you have to make a change to something (such as your address) the Articles of Correction have a $15 cost associated with them.This is also true for Articles of Amendment.

Appointing a registered agent

If you’re serving as your own registered agent or appointing someone on your own you won’t have any costs associated with doing this. However, if you choose to use a registered agent service like the one we offer, you can expect to pay a starting amount of $199 per year. This can be well worth it for anyone who’s starting up an LLC and may not be familiar with how to handle or manage everything. It’s very convenient to have some help in that area.

Creating an operating agreement

You don’t need an Operating Agreement for your LLC, but it’s still a good idea to create one. That’s because it helps increase the protection of the LLC members and the business itself. The cost of creating this agreement can range from $0 if you do it yourself to $1,000 if you work with an attorney. Using our operating service won’t cost as much as hiring an attorney, and you’ll know the agreement contains everything it should to provide you with peace of mind.

Other annual and additional Montana LLC costs

Business licenses & permits

While the State of Montana doesn’t have a specific, statewide business licensing requirement, there are a variety of small business licenses that are regulated at the city and county level. Additionally, the State issues professional licenses that are tied to certain types of occupations. The Montana Department of Revenue and the Secretary of State are both great places to find information on the exact licensing requirements your business will have.

Some of the more common permits and licenses you may need when you create a Montana LLC are based on the type of business itself and the city or rural area (county) in which it’s located. These could include:

What expenses you can write off

One of the best things about LLC formation costs and related expenses in Montana is that the majority of them can be written off on federal taxes. That can help you regain some of the money you originally paid to get started, so you can have a better financial position as you work to develop ad grow your LLC. Many businesses lost money in their first year or two of operation, so you want to take advantage of every legal way to save money when getting started. The main costs you can deduct include:

Montana LLC Costs – Summary

LLC Filing Fee (Articles of Organization)

$35 + $50 for each series member

Certificate of Existence

$5

Business License or Permit

varies by city/municipality (generally $20 – $200)

Registered Agent (Optional)

$199 – $400

Reserving a Business Name (Optional)

$10.00

Filing a DBA (Optional)

$20.00

Operating Agreement (Optional)

$0 – $1000

Conclusion

You can set up an LLC in Montana without a lot of stress or complication. It’s easier when you have help, though, because it takes the guesswork out of what you’re doing. That’s why using an LLC creation service is so convenient, because you don’t have to worry about setting everything up. Instead, you can focus on the future of your business. Montana is a business-friendly state in many ways, and has reasonable requirements and low fees. With a little guidance it’s easy to get started on making your LLC ownership dreams come true.

FAQs

1Why Choose Montana for LLC Formation?

One of the best reasons to choose Montana for forming your LLC is that the state is generally very fair in its costs for operating a business. You won't end up with a lot of unanticipated expenses and the paperwork isn't difficult. That can make it much easier to focus on what really matters, which is helping your business grow strong and healthy for the long term. If you're looking for a state with a low barrier to entry for LLC creation, Montana can be a good option.

2Should You Use an LLC Formation Service?

Working with an LLC formation service can have some big benefits, including peace of mind and convenience. While it's possible to form an LLC on your own, it can really raise your stress levels. Instead of putting yourself through that it's so much easier to just let a formation service handle everything for you. Then,you won't be worried about making a mistake or missing something that could potentially put you at risk of legal or financial issues before you even get off the ground.

3Do You Really Need a Registered Agent?

Having a registered agent is required when you're operating an LLC. You can serve as your own registered agent if you want to, but you have to meet some pretty specific requirements. Even if you live in the state, you need to be available during standard weekday operating hours, in case you're need to be given any official or legal correspondence on the LLC's behalf. It's generally better to have an attorney or other professional as your registered agent, since their office will be open during the required times. That way you can take vacations, run errands, or even live elsewhere and still meet important requirements.

4Can You Have an LLC With Just One Person?

You can have a single-member LLC in Montana, and will be taxed as a sole proprietorship. It's important to note that a lot of people just choose the sole proprietorship designation rather than forming an LLC, but that's not necessarily the best choice. If you form an LLC you'll have important legal and financial protections that separate you from the business. That can make a significant difference in your personal outcome in the event your business is sued or has other legal action against it, and is an important step to protect your personal assets.