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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Montana, you file Articles of Organization online with the

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<v Dan>Montana Secretary of State, and the fee is $35.

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<v Maya>Online, as in I can't mail it?

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<v Dan>Right. Montana is online only.

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<v Dan>Paper forms aren't accepted.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Montana for 2026, step by step, with what it all costs, and the three best

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<v Maya>ways to have it filed for you.

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<v Maya>Where do we start?

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<v Dan>The name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like

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<v Dan>LLC or LC.

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<v Maya>And it can't copy another business?

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<v Dan>It must be distinguishable from the names on record.

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State has a free business search, so start there.

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<v Maya>Can I hold a name for a while?

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<v Dan>Yes. A reservation lasts 120 days, and it's $10.

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<v Maya>Who can be my agent in Montana?

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<v Dan>A commercial registered agent, or a person or business with an actual street address

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<v Dan>in Montana.

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<v Maya>What does naming one actually do?

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<v Dan>It confirms that the agent has agreed to serve.

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<v Maya>Is it public?

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<v Dan>The address is, yes. That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Maya>And switching later?

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<v Dan>Changing agents in Montana is free.

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<v Maya>How do I file?

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<v Dan>Through the Secretary of State's Business Filing Portal.

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<v Dan>The fee is $35.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Good to meet you, Maya. The Articles ask for the name, a mailing address, and your

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<v Dan>registered agent.

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<v Maya>Anything about who runs it?

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<v Dan>Yes. Whether members or managers run the LLC, and their names.

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<v Maya>What if I'm in a hurry?

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<v Dan>Faster review is available. Priority handling in 24 hours is $20, and a one-hour

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<v Dan>expedite is $100.

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<v Maya>Does Montana keep a copy of my operating agreement?

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<v Dan>No. You hold onto it. It isn't filed, and there's no fee.

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<v Maya>Why write one then?

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<v Dan>Because it's binding on all the members.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens when a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>What comes next on the federal side?

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<v Dan>An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the

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<v Dan>state approves your Articles.

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<v Maya>Is it quick?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away.

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<v Dan>Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

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<v Maya>And the beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does Montana want after I form?

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<v Dan>An annual report, between January 1 and April 15 each year.

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<v Dan>The first one is due the year after you form.

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<v Maya>What does it cost?

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<v Dan>Filed on time, the fee is currently waived.

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<v Dan>After April 15, it's $35.

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<v Maya>And if I ignore it?

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<v Dan>By fall, the LLC is in default.

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<v Maya>Is that the end?

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<v Dan>Not yet. If it isn't fixed within 90 days of the notice, the LLC is involuntarily

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<v Dan>dissolved.

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<v Maya>What's the do-it-yourself number?

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<v Dan>$35 to file your Articles.

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<v Maya>And year two?

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<v Dan>The annual report fee is waived if you file by April 15.

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<v Dan>The EIN is free too.

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<v Maya>Optional costs?

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<v Dan>A $10 name reservation, and the faster review, at $20 or $100.

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<v Maya>And the all-in first year, with no extras?

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<v Dan>Just $35.

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<v Maya>What's the most I'd pay for speed?

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<v Dan>$35 plus the $100 one-hour expedite is $135.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the paper question.

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<v Maya>Is it truly impossible?

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<v Dan>Montana's help center explains it.

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<v Dan>The state is online only, and paper forms aren't accepted.

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<v Maya>So there's no choice to make.

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<v Dan>Right. The portal is the one route.

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<v Maya>Then the real choice is speed.

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<v Dan>Yes. Standard, 24-hour priority at $20, or the one-hour expedite at

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<v Dan>$100.

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<v Maya>Back to the agent. Could I be my own?

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<v Dan>If you have an actual street address in Montana, a person qualifies.

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<v Maya>Any catch?

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<v Dan>The address becomes public.

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<v Maya>And a commercial agent?

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<v Dan>Then it's the business's address on the record, not yours.

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<v Maya>What about changing agents later?

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<v Dan>Free. That's a nice feature of Montana.

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<v Maya>The fee is waived on time. Do I still need to care?

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<v Dan>Absolutely. The deadline is April 15 every year, starting the year after you form.

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<v Maya>And after April 15?

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<v Dan>The report costs $35.

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<v Maya>What about the bigger consequences?

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<v Dan>A report left unfiled puts you in default, and then involuntary dissolution if it

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<v Dan>isn't fixed within 90 days of the notice.

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<v Maya>So filing on time is both free and safe.

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<v Dan>That's the whole point.

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<v Maya>Remind me what's on the form.

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<v Dan>The LLC's name, a mailing address, and your registered agent.

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<v Maya>And the management part?

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<v Dan>Whether members or managers run it, along with their names.

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<v Maya>Short and simple.

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<v Dan>Yes. Settle your name and your agent, and you can file in one sitting.

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<v Maya>Say I let the annual report slide.

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<v Maya>What does recovery cost?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement has a base fee of $35, and another $35 for each year you missed.

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<v Maya>So it adds up.

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<v Dan>It does. Two missed years would be $35 base plus $70, for $105.

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<v Maya>Versus filing on time?

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<v Dan>Free, while the waiver lasts.

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<v Maya>And the notice period?

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<v Dan>You get 90 days from the notice to fix a default before the LLC is involuntarily

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<v Dan>dissolved.

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<v Maya>So a free filing beats a $105 repair.

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<v Dan>By a wide margin.

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<v Maya>Order of operations?

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<v Dan>Search the name. Pick your agent.

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<v Dan>File your Articles through the portal for $35.

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<v Dan>Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The annual report, between January 1 and April 15, starting next year.

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<v Maya>Anything people tend to forget?

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<v Dan>Having the details ready. The Articles ask for a mailing address, your agent, and

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<v Dan>the names of the members or managers.

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<v Maya>So gather those before you open the portal.

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<v Dan>Exactly. Then the filing itself goes quickly.

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<v Maya>What if I'd rather someone else files?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Montana.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee.

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<v Dan>With the $35 state fee, checkout comes to $234.

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<v Maya>What's in it?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it by April 15 every year, while the on-time fee waiver applies.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>Registered Agent MT.org. It prepares and files your Articles for

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, also $234 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Montana Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>Montana's on-time annual report is currently free.

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<v Dan>So if you'll file it yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99

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<v Dan>a year for the agent alone.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two

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<v Dan>years, for $397.

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<v Maya>That's $200 apart.

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<v Dan>Yes. With Mainstay, the extra covers your annual report being filed on time each

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>One more time, quickly?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a Montana street address,

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<v Dan>file your Articles online for $35, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN,

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<v Dan>and file your annual report by April 15 every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Montana LLC.