Here's what you need in Montana
Official state business portal: MT.gov Business. The State of Montana business page links to the business portal, Secretary of State business services, the Small Business Development Center and business tax information.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Montana does not issue a general state business license. Local city and county offices handle business licensing, and the state licenses specific professions. | Montana Department of Commerce | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State to form an LLC. A series LLC pays extra for each series named. | Montana Secretary of State | $35 filing fee | Applyat biz.sosmt.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Registration of Assumed Business Name. Register an assumed business name (trade name) with the Montana Secretary of State (state level). Renewals cost the same as the first filing. | Montana Secretary of State | $20 filing fee | Applyat biz.sosmt.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitNo state sales tax. Montana has no general sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit to get. Some other taxes, such as lodging taxes, still apply to certain businesses. | Montana Department of Revenue | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment Insurance Employer Account. Employers who meet the coverage rules must register for an unemployment insurance account. Register online through UI eServices for Employers; you then pay tax on wages. | Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Unemployment Insurance Division | You pay tax on wages | Applyat uieservices.mt.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Montana pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportEvery Montana LLC files an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year. It is due by April 15, and the fee is waived if you file on time. | Montana Secretary of State | Free if filed by April 15, $35 after | Applyat biz.sosmt.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonSalon or Shop License. Hair salons, nail salons and barber shops need a salon or shop license from the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. One board covers both barber shops and salons. | Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists | $235 ($85 application fee plus $150 inspection fee) | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily Child Care Home Registration. A home that cares for 3 to 8 children on a regular basis must be registered as a family child care home. Caring for 9 to 15 children needs a group home registration. | Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Alcoholic Beverage License. The Montana Department of Revenue issues licenses for bars and restaurants that sell alcohol. Some licenses are limited by a quota system, so some businesses buy an existing license. | Montana Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverage Control | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorConstruction Contractor License. Since January 1, 2026, construction contractors with employees, and corporations and manager managed LLCs, need a Construction Contractor License from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. | Montana Department of Labor and Industry | $70 application fee, $70 to renew | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage Food Operation Registration. Register as a cottage food operation to sell approved homemade foods face to face with customers. You do not need to register if you only sell exempt goods at a farmers market. | Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services | $40 one time fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Montana
- Montana is one of 5 states with no state sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit. Montana has no general sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit to get. Some other taxes, such as lodging taxes, still apply to certain businesses.
- $35 is the lowest LLC filing fee of the 49 states where we verified it.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the Montana Secretary of State. At $20, the state DBA fee is among the lowest: only 6 of 33 verified states charge less.
- Contractor licensing in Montana: Since January 1, 2026, construction contractors with employees, and corporations and manager managed LLCs, need a Construction Contractor License from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
- At $235, the salon or shop license fee is among the highest: only 5 of 36 verified states charge more.
- Annual Report: Free if filed by April 15, $35 after. Every Montana LLC files an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year. It is due by April 15, and the fee is waived if you file on time.
Steps to start a business in Montana
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State ($35).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Montana Secretary of State.
No state sales tax permit
Montana has no state sales tax. Ask your city or county about any local tax.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Unemployment Insurance Division.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Montana can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
Questions about business licenses in Montana
Do I need a business license in Montana?
No. Montana does not issue a general state business license. Local city and county offices handle business licensing, and the state licenses specific professions.
How much is a business license in Montana?
There is no general state business license fee in Montana. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in Montana?
The Montana Secretary of State charges $35 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State to form an LLC. A series LLC pays extra for each series named.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Montana?
Annual Report: Free if filed by April 15, $35 after. Every Montana LLC files an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year. It is due by April 15, and the fee is waived if you file on time.
Does an LLC need a business license in Montana?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Montana still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Montana?
No. Montana has no general sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit to get. Some other taxes, such as lodging taxes, still apply to certain businesses.
How much is a DBA in Montana?
Register an assumed business name (trade name) with the Montana Secretary of State (state level). Renewals cost the same as the first filing. Official fee: $20 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Montana?
Register as a cottage food operation to sell approved homemade foods face to face with customers. You do not need to register if you only sell exempt goods at a farmers market. Fee: $40 one time fee.
Do contractors need a state license in Montana?
Since January 1, 2026, construction contractors with employees, and corporations and manager managed LLCs, need a Construction Contractor License from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Official fee: $70 application fee, $70 to renew.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Montana Department of Commerce Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Montana Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Montana Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Unemployment Insurance Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Montana Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Montana Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverage Control Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Montana Department of Labor and Industry Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026