Incorporate in Montana
Starting a Montana corporation requires filing Articles of Incorporation and filing regular state reports. Unfortunately, these documents become public record once submitted to the Secretary of State. Potential litigators and customers could find your home address information through a simple internet search. So, how do you form a Montana corporation without risking your privacy?
Sign up for incorporation service and we’ll form your corporation and serve as your registered agent for a year. Plus, when you hire us to form your Montana corporation, we’ll provide a Montana business address you can use on state forms, legal documents, and regular mail such as bank statements. We provide a business formation service with privacy protection built right in. Keep reading to learn more.
Registering an out-of-state business? We can help you incorporate your foreign business in Montana.
Montana Incorporation Service Overview
With every business we incorporate Montana, we also provide:
- A year of Montana registered agent service
- A genuine Montana business address to protect your privacy
- Corporate bylaws you can customize to fit your needs
- A secure client account to store and manage important mail
- A budget-friendly price of only $184
Starting and maintaining a Montana corporation is risky enough—hire us to take on some of the more significant tasks.
How Does Montana Incorporation Service Work?
When you place an order for incorporation service, our team will start forming your Montana corporation. We’ll file the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State and list our registered agent address instead of yours. It will take 7-10 business days to process your paperwork. If you need expedited processing, add 24-hour processing for an additional $20.
Once your Montana corporation is approved, we’ll upload a copy of your Articles of Incorporation into your online account.
How To Start A Montana Corporation
We’re more than happy to get your Montana corporation up and running. However, if you’d rather fill out the Articles of Incorporation yourself, here’s a complete step-by-step guide:
- Choose a company name. Montana law requires businesses to have a unique name. So, your corporation’s name can’t be identical or similar to any business already registered with the state. To see if your desired name is available, search the Montana Business Database.
- Hire a Montana registered agent. All businesses recorded with the state must have a registered agent—an individual or other business entity that accepts service of process on behalf of your Montana corporation. For just $49 a year, we’ll provide professional registered agent service even if you’d rather incorporate yourself.
- File Articles of Incorporation. Montana is all digital. So, you must submit the Articles of Incorporation through the Montana Secretary of State website. You’ll need to include the following information:
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- Name of your corporation.
- Duration—indicate how long your corporation will exist.
- Purpose.
- Shares. A share is a percentage of ownership in a company. Montana requires corporations to list a minimum of one.
- Montana registered agent information.
- Incorporator’s name. The incorporator is the person who files and signs your Articles of Incorporation. He or she is not required to be an owner or anyone associated with your corporation.
- Optional Information:
- Mailing/principal address
- Officer/director information. Typical officers include the president, treasurer, and secretary. Montana corporations are required to have at least one director—a member of the board of directors.
Please note: You will be required to list your mailing/principal address and officer/director information when you file your Montana annual report.
Before submitting your form, you’ll need to pay the $35 filing fee. Standard processing takes 7-10 business days; however, you can pay an additional $20 for 24-hour processing or $100 for 1-hour.
Why You Should Hire Us
Other business formation companies might offer cheap and fast Montana incorporation service, but few will provide these benefits:
- Privacy Protection. Our incorporation service includes a Montana business address to help protect your personal information on public documents.
- Quick turnaround. After you hire us, we’ll file your Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State within 24 hours.
- Transparent pricing. We understand that business fees can be expensive. That’s why our prices are fair and consistent. You’ll never see a sudden increase or hidden costs.
- Expert local customer service. We’re located right here in Kalispell, Montana. Forming Montana businesses is all we do. Our relationship with the Montana Secretary of State allows us to provide you with expert filing service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to file an annual report?
Yes. You must file a Montana annual report ($20) each year between January 1 and April 15. Otherwise, the state will assess a $15 penalty fee. If your annual report isn’t filed by November 30, the state could administratively dissolve your company.
Does Montana have a corporate income tax?
Yes. The corporate income tax rate is 6.75% of your total Montana income. You must submit your return to the Montana Department of Revenue each year by May 15. The minimum payment is $50.
Do I need an Employer Identification Number (EIN)?
Yes. The IRS requires corporations to get an EIN. You may request one through the IRS website. There is no filing fee.
Does Montana require a business license?
The state of Montana doesn’t have a general business license requirement. However, some businesses will be required to obtain a license. For example, athletic trainers, chiropractors, barbers, dentists, electricians, nutritionists, and massage therapists must get a Montana business license before opening. Check out our occupational licensing page for more information.
Is my Montana corporation required to have corporate bylaws?
Yes. Montana state law requires all Montana corporations to create and maintain corporate bylaws. When you hire us to form your corporation, we’ll provide Montana corporate bylaws written by our in-house attorneys. You can customize the bylaws to fit your specific needs.
Our corporate bylaws cover essential information such as registered agent information, shareholder’s meetings, stock information, board of directors, officers, dividends and finances, notices, corporate seal, books/records, special corporate acts, and amendments.
Can I purchase vehicles with a Montana corporation?
Absolutely. Montana corporations have the same privileges as state residents when it comes to vehicle registration. So, your Montana corporation can purchase and register any personal property—such as motor homes, trailers, cars, or trucks.
Corporate Kits with free shipping
Do you need a professional, high-quality binder to store your formation documents, bylaws, and other critical business information? For $100 (includes free shipping), you’ll receive a black binder with your business’s name embossed on the spine in gold to use for storing certificates, minutes from shareholder’s meetings, or IRS forms. You can order corporate kits from inside your client account to help your Montana business stay organized.