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
- Independent Contractor Central Unit for an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate: (406) 444-7734
- Insurance Compliance for workers’ compensation coverage requirements: (406) 444-6543
- 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.
