Starting a Business in Montana: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist

Montana start-up checklist

Register for state taxes with Montana Department of Revenue. Official page
Business-level tax: Corporate license tax.
Montana has no statewide sales tax. Instead: Montana has no statewide sales tax; designated resort communities levy a local resort tax and require registration.
If you have employees, withhold Montana income tax from wages and register for withholding. Official page

Register for unemployment insurance with Montana Department of Labor & Industry. The 2026 taxable wage base is $47,300 per employee; experience-rated rates run from 0% to 6.12%. Official page
Workers' compensation through Montana Department of Labor & Industry and private insurers. Required when: 1 employee
Post the required labor notices at your workplace. Official page

(LLCs, corporations and nonprofits): every year by April 15; fee $0.
Renew limited partnership certificate (limited partnerships): Renewal before the certificate term expires; fee $15.
Renew LLP registration (limited liability partnerships): Renewal before the registration term expires; fee $20.
State tax returns and payments (sales, withholding, unemployment) follow the schedule your agency assigns when you register.

Business filings and annual reports: Montana Secretary of State. Official page
Taxes: Montana Department of Revenue. Official page
Unemployment insurance and labor rules: Montana Department of Labor & Industry. Official page
Workers' compensation: Montana Department of Labor & Industry.
Contractor licensing: Montana Department of Labor & Industry (contractor registration).
Real estate licensing: Montana Board of Realty Regulation.
Alcohol licensing: Montana Department of Revenue, Liquor Control Division.
Child care licensing: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Health facility licensing: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

City/county business license (City or county clerk): Some Montana cities and counties require a local business license.
Cannabis: adult-use licensing, regulated by Montana Department of Revenue, Cannabis and Alcohol Regulation Division (formerly Cannabis Control Division).

Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Rules change; confirm each item with its agency.

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