How to Start a Corporation in Montana

Step 1: Name Your Montana Corporation

Choosing a business name is the first step in starting a corporation.

1. Montana naming guidelines:

• Must contain the word “corporation”, “company”, or “incorporated”. A suitable abbreviation of one of these terms — or words or abbreviations of similar meaning in another language — can be used instead.
• Must be distinguishable from any existing business in your state. This includes Montana reserved names, as well as foreign corporations registered to transact business in Montana.
• Cannot include identifiers (e.g., Limited Partnership, LLC, etc.) that imply the company is anything other than a corporation.
• Cannot imply that the corporation is organized for a non-permitted purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Incorporation.
• Cannot include language that suggests or implies that the corporation is in some way affiliated with or sponsored by a government agency or any of its political subdivisions.

Read the Montana state statute regardingcorporation naming guidelinesfor more information.

2. Is my corporation name available in Montana?

Your Montana corporation name must be unique and distinguishable from other business names in Montana. Use theMontana Secretary of State’s Business Search Portalto determine if your desired business name is available.

3. Is the URL available?

Before registering your Montana corporation, you’ll need to check if a good URL is available for your business name. It’s important to secure your URL right away.

Step 2: Choose a Montana Registered Agent

You must appoint aMontana registered agentwhen registering your corporation with the Montana Secretary of State.

Aregistered agentis an individual or entity appointed to receiveservice of process, government correspondence, and compliance documents on behalf of a business.

Your registered agent can be an individual, business entity, or professional registered agent service. Any member of the corporation or individual can serve as your Montana registered agent as long as the person:

• is 18 years or older
• has a physical address in the state where business activity is conducted
• is available (in person) during normal business hours

Step 3: Hold an Organizational Meeting

Before you officially file the Articles of Incorporation in Step 4, you will need to hold an organizational meeting to complete the following tasks:

• Fill out and execute theArticles of Incorporation
• Create and approve bylaws
• Select your initial director(s)
• Determine your share structure
• Execute an Incorporator’s Statement

Create and Approve Corporate Bylaws

Bylaws are the rules that determine how your organization will be governed and run. For detailed instructions on creating your bylaws, read ourcorporate bylawsguide.

Step 4: File the Montana Articles of Incorporation

You will need to file the Montana Articles of Incorporation to set up a corporation in Montana. You may file it online with the Montana Secretary of State. The filing cost is$35.

This document will cover the basics of your corporation, including:

• Corporate name, type, and address
• Corporate registered agent name and street address
• The number of authorized shares the corporation is allowed to issue
• Corporate directors’ names and addresses
• Incorporator(s) name(s) and address(es)

Step 5: Get an EIN for Your Montana Corporation

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used by the federal government to identify a business entity. It is essentially a Social Security number for the company. An EIN is needed:

• To open a bank account for the company
• For federal and state tax purposes
• To hire employees

Montana State Corporation Tax Requirements

根据您的业务的性质,您可能be required to register for one or more forms of state tax:

Montana Sales Tax

Montana is one of five states that does not have asales taxon goods and services.

Montana Employer Taxes

If you hire employees, you will need to register for Montana employer taxes through theMontana Department of Revenue’s website. This includes Employee Withholding Tax, Unemployment Insurance Tax, and Disability Insurance.

Montana Corporation Licenses and Permits

To operate your corporation in Montana, you must comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. For example, restaurants likely need health permits, building permits, signage permits, etc.

Learn more in ourMontana Business Licenseguide.

File the Montana Corporate Annual Report

You must file theMontana Corporate Annual Reportonline each year before April 15. The filing fee is$20if filed before April 15 and$35for late filings.

How to Get a Montana Certificate of Good Standing

一个良好的身份证明,在蒙大拿s aCertificate of Existence, verifies that your Montana corporation was legally formed and has been properly maintained.

To request a Certificate of Existence in Montana, use the state’sonline business databaseto search for your corporation, click on “Request Entity Information,” and then click “Request Business Certificates.” The fee is$5.

How to Dissolve a Corporation in Montana

If at any point you would like to permanently stop doing business, orcloseyour business, it is important to officiallydissolveyour corporation. Failure to do so in a timely fashion can result in tax liabilities, penalties, or even legal trouble.

There are six main steps to close your Montana corporation:

• Stop doing business
• Hold a board meeting, vote on dissolution, and record the meeting in the corporation minutes
• File anApplication for Tax Certificate (online)with the Montana Department of Revenue
• File the Articles of Dissolution with the Montana Secretary of State
• Close your federal and state business tax accounts with the IRS and Montana Department of Revenue
• 闭上你的商业银行账户

File Dissolution Documents

You may file your Articles of Dissolutiononlinewith the Montana Secretary of State. The filing fee is$15.