Why Montana?
The lowest LLC filing fee in the US at $35. No state sales tax. Meaningful for businesses with Montana-based activity. Non-residents can form a Montana LLC without any US address, SSN, or physical presence. Edeal handles the registered agent requirement and the entire filing process.
Most non-residents registering a US LLC choose Wyoming ($100 filing fee, $60/year) or Delaware (investor-friendly). Montana makes the most sense when you have operations in Montana or want to take advantage of no state sales tax.
State Fees
These are government fees paid to the State of Montana — not Edeal's service fee. Edeal registers your LLC for $1 + state fees.
LLC Formation
- Filing fee: $35 — one-time, paid to the Montana Secretary of State
- Annual fee: $20/yr — annual report, paid to the State of Montana to keep your LLC in good standing
- Registered Agent: required by law — Edeal provides a registered agent as part of its service
All fees are set by the State of Montana and publicly available from the Montana Secretary of State's office.
Who Montana Is Right For
Montana makes sense when your business runs real activity in the state or genuinely benefits from no sales tax. Combining a zero sales tax with the lowest filing fee in the US ($35) makes it convenient for operating companies tied to natural resources, agriculture, or tourism.
- Resource, agriculture and tourism companies with operations in the state — proximity to the resource base and to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.
- Businesses for which no sales tax creates a competitive advantage — for certain product categories a zero sales tax is a real factor in deal economics.
- Companies with a facility or team in the state — nexus obligates you to do business here anyway, so registering at the place of operations is logical.
Who Montana Is Not the Best Fit For
- Freelancers and remote businesses without Montana ties — Wyoming or Delaware are usually more cost-effective
- Non-residents seeking maximum privacy — Wyoming and New Mexico offer stronger member privacy protections
- Businesses optimizing purely for cost — Wyoming at $100 + $60/year is typically the baseline for non-residents
If you are unsure which state fits your situation, Edeal can help you compare before you register.
If your business has no ties to Montana, compare Wyoming (lower cost and stronger privacy) or Delaware (if you plan to raise venture capital). For a full breakdown, see how to choose a state.
For Non-Residents: What to Consider in Montana
Citizenship and residence do not stop you from owning a Montana LLC — a non-resident can be the sole member and manage it remotely. But a few points matter more than the filing fee itself:
- Nexus and foreign registration. If your actual activity happens in another state while the LLC is formed in Montana, you will likely have to register as a foreign LLC where you operate — double fees. Buying high-value vehicles through a Montana LLC still requires real nexus and compliance with the buyer's home-state law.
- Registered agent is mandatory. You need an agent with a physical Montana address to receive official mail — Edeal provides one as part of its service.
- Bank account. A US bank account usually requires an EIN; an in-person visit is usually not needed.
- Reporting. Keep up with the state's ongoing report to stay in good standing; missing it leads to penalties and, eventually, administrative dissolution of the LLC.
FAQ
Do I need to visit Montana or have a US address to register an LLC?
No. Non-residents from any country can register a Montana LLC without visiting the state, without a US address, and without an SSN. The only requirement is a registered agent with a Montana address — Edeal provides this.
What is the annual fee for a Montana LLC?
The annual government fee for a Montana LLC is $20/yr (Annual Report). This fee is paid to the State of Montana to keep your LLC in good standing — it is a mandatory government fee, not an income tax rate.
Does a non-resident need to be a US resident to open a Montana LLC?
No. A non-resident can own a Montana LLC as the sole member and manage it remotely. US residency and an SSN are not required to register the company.
Can I open a US bank account with a Montana LLC?
Yes. A Montana LLC formed through Edeal comes with the documentation typically required by US banks and fintechs (Mercury, Relay, Brex). Having an EIN is usually also required — Edeal can assist with that process.
Montana LLC for Non-Residents: How It Compares
Montana is often raised alongside Arizona by non-residents looking for a low-maintenance state. According to the Montana Secretary of State's fee schedule, forming a domestic LLC by filing Articles of Organization costs $35 — one of the lower one-time formation fees in the country.
The key difference from Arizona is ongoing upkeep. Unlike Arizona, Montana does require an annual report: by the Montana Secretary of State it is due by April 15 each year and is filed at no charge when submitted on time. Montana also has no statewide general sales tax, which is part of why the state draws attention — though a non-resident's actual tax exposure depends on where business activity and nexus occur, not on the state of formation alone.
For most non-residents choosing between the two, the trade-off is simple: Arizona removes the recurring annual-report step entirely, while Montana keeps the formation fee marginally lower and adds one filing a year. Edeal provides Montana LLC formation services for non-residents and handles the annual report as a managed service, so the April 15 deadline is tracked for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a non-resident form a Montana LLC, and what does it cost?
Yes. Non-residents can own and form a Montana LLC without living in the US. According to the Montana Secretary of State, the Articles of Organization filing fee is $35, and Montana LLCs file an annual report that is due April 15 each year, at no charge when filed on time. Edeal provides Montana LLC formation services for non-residents, including the statutory agent and the recurring annual report.
Which is cheaper to maintain for a non-resident — Arizona, Montana, or New Mexico?
By each state's official schedule, formation fees are low across all three: $50 in Arizona (regular processing), $35 in Montana, and $50 in New Mexico. Arizona and New Mexico require no LLC annual report, while Montana requires one by April 15. Edeal can weigh all three against your business model and handle formation in whichever you choose.