Start-Up and Licensing Information
Register a New Business
Secretary of State
Most businesses and non-profits are required to register with the Montana Secretary of State's office.
406-444-3665
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service requires every business who hires employees, or is a partnership or corporation have a federal tax identification number (FEIN)
800-829-4933
Obtaining a Business License or Registration
General Business License
The State of Montana does NOT have a General Business License. However, some counties or cities may have licensing requirements.
Contractors Registration
All incorporated construction contractors and construction contractors with employees must register. Construction contractors without employees, plumbers and electricians may register but registration is not required.
406-444-7734
http://erd.dli.mt.gov/workers-comp-regulations/montana-contrator.html
Independent Contractors
Contact the Department of Labor & Industry Independent Contractor Central Unit
406-444-9029
Medical Marijuana
Contact the Department of Public Health and Human Services
406-444-0596 or 406-444-2676
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/medicalmarijuana/index.shtml
One-Stop Licensing
Obtain or renew your license for Food Purveyor, Off-Premise Beer & Wine, Tobacco Retail & Wholesale, Nursery, Underground Storage Tanks, Petroleum Dealers (Meters) and Weighing Devices (Scales).
406-444-3506
http://revenue.mt.gov/forbusinesses/onestop_licensing/default.mcpx
Department of Public Health and Human Services: Food and Consumer Safety
Obtain license information and guidelines for retail food service, wholesale food, public accommodations, trailer courts, campgrounds, pools, spas, body art facilities and other institutions.
406-444-2408
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/Food-consumer/food-safe-index.shtml
Department of Labor & Indstury: Professional & Occupational Licensing
There are certain types of businesses that are required to register and be licensed by the state. The Business Standards Division listing of License Types and Board/Program Associations is a tool to help indidivuals discover which state, federal or local office they need to contact for professional licenses and business certifications.
406-841-2300
http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/license.asp
Department of Labor & Industry: Licensed Occupations List
An A-Z listing of occupations including details on the licensing requirement, applicable fees, as well as information on average wages and the employment outlook.
406-444-2430 and 800-541-3904
http://mcis.dli.mt.gov/licensed_occupations.asp
Hiring Employees
Department of Revenue: State Income Tax Withholding
Individuals who earn wages by performing services in Montana are liable for Montana income tax. As an employer, it is your duty by law to deduct the tax from the wages you pay. Every employer who resides in Montana and every nonresident employer who pays wages for services performed in Montana must withhold Montana income tax.
406-444-6900
https://tap.dor.mt.gov/BusinessReg.htm
Department of Labor & Industry: Unemployment Insurance Division
Employers pay state unemployment insurance (UI) taxes. If you are an employer subject to the UI law, you are a "covered" employer and must pay UI taxes.
406-444-3834
Montana State Fund
All businesses in Montana with employees are required by law to have workers' compensation insurance. Workers comp insurance from Montana State Fund provides benefits to a worker suffering from a work-related injury or occupational disease.
800-332-6102
http://www.montanastatefund.com/wps/portal
Department of Public Health and Human Services
Montana's New Hire Reporting Law requires every Montana employer to report information on each new employee hired or rehired on or after, Octber 1, 1997. The program allows employers to assist in the state's efforts to locate non-custodial parents and collect child support which reduces public assistance costs.
406-444-9290 and 888-866-0327
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/csed/relatedtopics/employerinformation.shtml
Reporting Business Equipment and Personal Property
Department of Revenue: Personal Property
Contact your local DOR office for the annual reporting of business equipment and other personal property. If you are a business owner, farm or ranch owner or owner of livestock you must fill out the Property Reporting Form each January.
http://revenue.mt.gov/abouttheagency/local_office_locations/default.mcpx
