[0:00] The short answer Dan: To start an LLC in Montana, you file Articles of Organization online with the Montana Secretary of State, and the fee is $35. Maya: Online, as in I can't mail it? Dan: Right. Montana is online only. Paper forms aren't accepted. Maya: This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Montana for 2026, step by step, with what it all costs, and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we start? [0:28] Step 1: Choose a name Dan: The name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like LLC or LC. Maya: And it can't copy another business? Dan: It must be distinguishable from the names on record. The Secretary of State has a free business search, so start there. Maya: Can I hold a name for a while? Dan: Yes. A reservation lasts 120 days, and it's $10. [0:52] Step 2: Name a registered agent Maya: Who can be my agent in Montana? Dan: A commercial registered agent, or a person or business with an actual street address in Montana. Maya: What does naming one actually do? Dan: It confirms that the agent has agreed to serve. Maya: Is it public? Dan: The address is, yes. That's why many owners use a commercial agent. Maya: And switching later? Dan: Changing agents in Montana is free. [1:19] Step 3: File Articles of Organization Maya: How do I file? Dan: Through the Secretary of State's Business Filing Portal. The fee is $35. Maya: I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan. Dan: Good to meet you, Maya. The Articles ask for the name, a mailing address, and your registered agent. Maya: Anything about who runs it? Dan: Yes. Whether members or managers run the LLC, and their names. Maya: What if I'm in a hurry? Dan: Faster review is available. Priority handling in 24 hours is $20, and a one-hour expedite is $100. [1:53] Step 4: Write an operating agreement Maya: Does Montana keep a copy of my operating agreement? Dan: No. You hold onto it. It isn't filed, and there's no fee. Maya: Why write one then? Dan: Because it's binding on all the members. Maya: What goes in it? Dan: Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens when a member leaves. [2:13] Step 5: Get a free EIN Maya: What comes next on the federal side? Dan: An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state approves your Articles. Maya: Is it quick? Dan: If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready. Maya: And the beneficial ownership report? Dan: Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies. [2:42] Step 6: File the annual report Maya: What does Montana want after I form? Dan: An annual report, between January 1 and April 15 each year. The first one is due the year after you form. Maya: What does it cost? Dan: Filed on time, the fee is currently waived. After April 15, it's $35. Maya: And if I ignore it? Dan: By fall, the LLC is in default. Maya: Is that the end? Dan: Not yet. If it isn't fixed within 90 days of the notice, the LLC is involuntarily dissolved. [3:14] What it costs Maya: What's the do-it-yourself number? Dan: $35 to file your Articles. Maya: And year two? Dan: The annual report fee is waived if you file by April 15. The EIN is free too. Maya: Optional costs? Dan: A $10 name reservation, and the faster review, at $20 or $100. Maya: And the all-in first year, with no extras? Dan: Just $35. Maya: What's the most I'd pay for speed? Dan: $35 plus the $100 one-hour expedite is $135. [3:49] Online only Maya: Let me press on the paper question. Is it truly impossible? Dan: Montana's help center explains it. The state is online only, and paper forms aren't accepted. Maya: So there's no choice to make. Dan: Right. The portal is the one route. Maya: Then the real choice is speed. Dan: Yes. Standard, 24-hour priority at $20, or the one-hour expedite at $100. [4:14] Choosing your agent Maya: Back to the agent. Could I be my own? Dan: If you have an actual street address in Montana, a person qualifies. Maya: Any catch? Dan: The address becomes public. Maya: And a commercial agent? Dan: Then it's the business's address on the record, not yours. Maya: What about changing agents later? Dan: Free. That's a nice feature of Montana. [4:35] Why the annual report matters Maya: The fee is waived on time. Do I still need to care? Dan: Absolutely. The deadline is April 15 every year, starting the year after you form. Maya: And after April 15? Dan: The report costs $35. Maya: What about the bigger consequences? Dan: A report left unfiled puts you in default, and then involuntary dissolution if it isn't fixed within 90 days of the notice. Maya: So filing on time is both free and safe. Dan: That's the whole point. [5:04] What the Articles ask for Maya: Remind me what's on the form. Dan: The LLC's name, a mailing address, and your registered agent. Maya: And the management part? Dan: Whether members or managers run it, along with their names. Maya: Short and simple. Dan: Yes. Settle your name and your agent, and you can file in one sitting. [5:21] Fixing a lapse Maya: Say I let the annual report slide. What does recovery cost? Dan: Reinstatement has a base fee of $35, and another $35 for each year you missed. Maya: So it adds up. Dan: It does. Two missed years would be $35 base plus $70, for $105. Maya: Versus filing on time? Dan: Free, while the waiver lasts. Maya: And the notice period? Dan: You get 90 days from the notice to fix a default before the LLC is involuntarily dissolved. Maya: So a free filing beats a $105 repair. Dan: By a wide margin. [5:58] First-year checklist Maya: Order of operations? Dan: Search the name. Pick your agent. File your Articles through the portal for $35. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement. Maya: And the calendar? Dan: The annual report, between January 1 and April 15, starting next year. Maya: Anything people tend to forget? Dan: Having the details ready. The Articles ask for a mailing address, your agent, and the names of the members or managers. Maya: So gather those before you open the portal. Dan: Exactly. Then the filing itself goes quickly. [6:31] The 3 best ways to file in Montana Maya: What if I'd rather someone else files? Dan: Here are the three best ways to file in Montana. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $35 state fee, checkout comes to $234. Maya: What's in it? Dan: Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199. Maya: And the annual report? Dan: Mainstay files it by April 15 every year, while the on-time fee waiver applies. Maya: Number two? Dan: Registered Agent MT.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $234 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year. Maya: And number three? Dan: Montana Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year. Maya: How do I choose? Dan: Montana's on-time annual report is currently free. So if you'll file it yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. [7:54] Three years of service fees Maya: Give me the three-year view. Dan: Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397. Maya: That's $200 apart. Dan: Yes. With Mainstay, the extra covers your annual report being filed on time each year. [8:20] Recap Maya: One more time, quickly? Dan: Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a Montana street address, file your Articles online for $35, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your annual report by April 15 every year. Maya: The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Montana LLC.