Montana lesson 6 of 6
Open a bank account and file your Montana annual report
Once your Montana LLC is formed, two things keep it in good standing: a properly separated bank account and the annual report filed with the Secretary of State every year by April 15.
Opening the account
Bring your confirmed Articles of Organization, EIN confirmation letter, an operating agreement if you have adopted one, and identification for signers and significant owners. Keep business income and expenses in this account rather than mixing them with personal funds.
Filing the annual report
Every Montana LLC must file an annual report with the Secretary of State each year, due between January 1 and April 15, confirming or updating the registered agent, registered office and management information on file. The statutory fee is $20 if filed on time, but the Secretary of State has discretionary authority to waive it and has waived the fee every year since 2023, with the waiver confirmed again for 2026 and announced again for 2027. Filing after April 15 costs $35 regardless of the waiver, so check the Secretary of State's current annual report page each year rather than assuming the fee status from a prior year.
Because the fee waiver is a yearly discretionary decision rather than a permanent statutory change, confirm the current year's status on the Secretary of State's annual report page before assuming the filing is free.
If you miss it
Under Montana Code Annotated 35-8-209, the Secretary of State can involuntarily dissolve an LLC that fails to file its annual report within 60 days after the required filing. A dissolved LLC can generally apply for reinstatement by filing the outstanding reports and fees, but it loses good standing and the protection of its name in the meantime.
Key takeaways
- Keep a dedicated business bank account separate from personal funds.
- File the annual report between January 1 and April 15 each year, and confirm the current fee waiver status.
- Failing to file within 60 days after the deadline risks involuntary dissolution under MCA 35-8-209.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need to file if the annual report fee is waived?
Yes. The waiver only removes the fee; the filing itself is still legally required by the April 15 deadline.
What happens if my Montana LLC is dissolved for not filing?
You can generally apply for reinstatement by filing the missing annual reports and paying the associated fees, but the LLC is not in good standing until the Secretary of State processes the reinstatement.
Official sources
Or let us file your Montana LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization, act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team