Agency and Business Contacts for Businesses

Below are some common steps, with contact information, to consider when establishing a business in Montana.

Step One: Determine your business structure.

Refer to the following sources:

• Internal Revenue Service for legal and tax considerations when forming a business.
• Montana Secretary of State’s office for descriptions of business structures.
• Small Business Administration for advice choosing a business structure.

Step Two: Register your business name.

• Secretary of State for business name registration forms: (406) 444-3665.

Step Three: Apply for federal and state tax identification numbers.

• Internal Revenue Service to obtain a federal employer identification number: 1 (800) 829-1040 or contact your nearest IRS office.
• Montana Department of Revenue for business tax registrations: (406) 444-6900.

Step Four: Determine city, county, and state licensing requirements.

• Business Standards Division with the Department of Labor & Industry for professional licensing requirements: (406) 841-2300.
• Department of Revenue for One-Stop Business Licensing: (406) 444-6900.
• Department of Commerce for Small Business Licensing: (406) 841-2747.
• Montana Association of Counties for your city or county contact information for verifying business and home occupation licensing and permit requirements: (406) 449-4360.
• Refer to the A to Z index of State of Montana licenses for other possible licensing requirements.

Step 5: Determine workers’ compensation regulation requirements.

• Construction Contractor Registration Unit for a Construction Contractor Registration: (406) 444-7734 or review the frequently asked questions.
• Independent Contractor Central Unit for an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate: (406) 444-7734 or review the frequently asked questions.
• Insurance Compliance for workers’ compensation coverage requirements: (406) 444-6532.
• Montana State Fund for workers’ compensation insurance coverage at (406) 495-5000 or 1 (800) 332-6102.
• Workers' compensation can also be purchased through over 40 authorized private insurance carriers.

Step 6: Comply with employment rules and regulations in Montana.

• Department of Labor & Industry for Employment Laws: (406) 444-2840
• Workers’ Compensation Section for Workers’ Compensation Laws: (406) 444-6543
• Compliance and Investigation Bureau for Wage and Hour Laws: (406) 444-6543
• Unemployment Insurance Division for Unemployment Insurance Laws: (406) 444-3834
• Department of Revenue for Employer’s Tax Withholding Laws: (406) 444-6900
• Human Rights Bureau for Human Rights Laws: 1 (800) 542-0807
• Department of Public Health & Human Services for New Hire Reporting: 1 (888) 866-0327
• United States Department of Labor for Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): 1 (800) 321-6742

Step 7: Get in touch with a Montana Small Business Development Center in your area to see what services they can offer you.