Montana · Corporation
How to Start a Corporation in Montana
Montana's yearly paperwork is the cheapest part: file on time and the annual report fee is waived.
See the stepsShort answer
To start a corporation in Montana, file Articles of Incorporation with the Montana Secretary of State through its online business portal. At checkout that is $35 for Montana plus $123.75 for our formation, $158.75 before card processing. Your name needs a corporate ending like Inc. or Corporation. Each year you file an annual report, which costs nothing when filed January 1 through April 15 and $35 after that.
Last checked .How do I incorporate in Montana, step by step?
Montana waives the annual report fee if you file between January 1 and April 15. After April 15 it is $35. The board can be as small as one person, and Montana law names no required officers, so your bylaws or board decide the roles.
Choose and check the name
Your name must contain the word corporation, incorporated, company or limited, or an abbreviation such as corp., inc., co. or ltd. It must also be distinguishable from other names on file. Run the business name search on the Secretary of State's portal first. See the Montana name search guide.
Name a registered agent
Every corporation needs one in the state (the rule). Ours is $74.25 a year.
File the articles
File the the formation filing with Montana. The fee at our checkout is $35. Details are below.
Adopt bylaws
Bylaws are the board's rules: how directors are elected, how meetings run and how officers are chosen. Every corporation we form includes them.
Name directors, officers and issue shares
A Montana board of directors must have one or more individuals; Montana law sets no required officer titles, and the bylaws or board decide which officers you have. 3 Hold an organizational meeting, record it in minutes, and issue stock to the owners.
Get an EIN
The EIN is the corporation's federal tax ID. The IRS issues it free at irs.gov.
Register for state taxes
Register with Montana Department of Revenue: file a Montana Corporate Income Tax Return (Form CIT) if the corporation does business in Montana. 7
File the annual report
Put the first deadline on your calendar before you file anything else. See the Montana annual report page and the filings below.
How much does it cost to incorporate in Montana?
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| State fees (what our checkout charges) | $35 | At filing |
| Our formation, bylaws included | $123.75 | At filing |
| Total for the filing | $158.75 | Before card processing |
| With our registered agent for a year (Formation + Registered Agent) | $213.20 | At filing |
| With the Day-One Bundle | $257 | At filing |
| Montana corporate income tax minimum, minimum (each year) | $50 5 | each tax period |
| Registered agent after the first year | $74.25 a year | Optional |
Card processing is added at checkout and shown before you pay. Montana's fees are the same whoever files.
Montana at a glance
| Question | Montana |
|---|---|
| Name rule | Must contain Corporation, Incorporated, Company or Limited, or an abbreviation (corp., inc., co., ltd.) 1 |
| Registered agent | Registered office and registered agent in Montana, in compliance with Title 35, chapter 7 2 |
| Directors and officers | At least 1 director; officers: as set by the bylaws or the board; one person may hold more than one office 3 |
| Annual report | Annual Report, no state fee, due fee is waived for reports filed January 1 to April 15; $35 after April 15 4 |
| Franchise or minimum tax | Montana corporate income tax minimum: 6.75% of net income, with a minimum tax of $50, due each tax period 5 |
| Corporate income tax | 6.75% flat, minimum $50 6 |
Do I need a registered agent in Montana?
Every Montana corporation must continuously maintain a registered office and a registered agent in Montana. 2 You can be your own agent if you have a street address in the state and are there in business hours, but the address goes on the public record. Ours, through our partner Registered Agents Inc, is $74.25 a year, or $178.20 with the formation. Montana registered agent rules.
What goes in the Montana articles of incorporation?
File Articles of Incorporation with the Montana Secretary of State through its online portal, biz.sosmt.gov. The articles identify the corporation, its registered agent and office in Montana, and the shares it can issue. Check the current fee schedule for the filing fee on the day you file.
Which annual reports and franchise taxes will a Montana corporation owe?
File an annual report every year. It confirms your registered agent, address, shares and principals. Keep your registered agent current so state notices reach you.
How do I start an S corp in Montana?
A corporation is a C corporation unless it elects otherwise. An S corp is a tax election, not another kind of entity. The order is plain: form the corporation, get the EIN, then file IRS Form 2553 within 2 months and 15 days after start of the tax year the election takes effect (or any time in the prior tax year) 9. Montana follows the federal S election: if you elect S status federally, you file as an S corporation in Montana too. 8
We file Form 2553 for $165. Run your own numbers in the calculator or read Montana: S corp or C corp.
Should I form a corporation or an LLC in Montana?
Shares, a board and officers. The usual choice when you plan to raise money from investors or issue stock options.
Fewer formalities and flexible ownership. Often the simpler choice for one owner or a small team.
Compare the two: How to start an LLC in Montana.
Raising venture money? Investors usually ask for a Delaware C corporation, which you then register in Montana as a foreign corporation. See how to start a corporation in Delaware.
What do I do after filing in Montana?
- Adopt the bylaws and hold the first board meeting; write minutes.
- Issue stock to the owners and keep a stock ledger.
- Get the EIN, open a business bank account and keep money separate.
Form your Montana corporation
We file it for $123.75 plus the state fee ($35), with bylaws included. Add the registered agent for $178.20 in all, or take the Day-One Bundle at $222.
Common questions
Does Montana charge for the corporation annual report?
Not if you file between January 1 and April 15. After April 15 the fee is $35.
What must a Montana corporation's name include?
A word such as corporation, incorporated, company or limited, or an abbreviation like corp., inc., co. or ltd.
How many directors does a Montana corporation need?
One or more. The bylaws or the board decide which officers you have.
Does a Montana corporation need a registered agent?
Yes. It must continuously maintain a registered office and a registered agent in Montana.
Sources 9 links, checked Nov 7, 2026
- A Montana corporation's name must contain the word corporation, incorporated, company or limited, or the abbreviation corp., inc., co. or ltd. mca.legmt.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Every Montana corporation must continuously maintain a registered office and a registered agent in Montana. mca.legmt.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- A Montana board of directors must have one or more individuals; Montana law sets no required officer titles, and the bylaws or board decide which officers you have. mca.legmt.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Montana waives the annual report fee for reports filed between January 1 and April 15, and the fee after April 15 is $35. help.sosmt.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- A Montana corporation pays a minimum corporate income tax of $50. mca.legmt.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Montana taxes a C corporation at 6.75% (7% with a water's edge election), with a $50 minimum tax. revenue.mt.gov, checked Nov 6, 2026
- A C corporation doing business in Montana files a Montana Corporate Income Tax Return (Form CIT) with the Department of Revenue. mtrevenue.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Montana follows the federal S election: if you elect S status federally, you file as an S corporation in Montana too. revenue.mt.gov, checked Nov 6, 2026
- IRS: Form 2553 instructions irs.gov, checked Nov 6, 2026
Last verified Nov 7, 2026.
This page explains the rules; it is not legal or tax advice.