The Corporation is a business structure that provides personal liability protection by separating the owner’s personal assets from the assets of the business. Thus, a corporation is liable for the actions and finances of the business, while the owners (known as shareholders) are not.

Corporation Pros

• Corporations provide liability protection for the shareholders
• A corporation can raise non-debt financing by selling shares of the business
• Taxation may be lower than a sole proprietorship or partnership

Corporation Cons

• Corporations are more complex and expensive to set up than sole proprietorships, partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies (LLC)
• At a minimum, corporations are required to hold an annual board of directors meeting, shareholders meeting, take minutes at the meetings, issue shares, etc., to maintain the entity’s liability protection.

Related: Guide to starting a business in Montana

Generally, Corporations are chosen over a Limited Liability Company when a significant amount of funding is being raised from investors.  However, due to the cost and complexity of the Corporation, most small businesses are better off forming an LLC.

Related: How to form an LLC in Montana

The following steps are to create a domestic Corporation, which is the most common type for businesses. The other types of Corporations in Montana include a foreign Corporation (an out-of-state Corporation wanting approval to physically operate in the state), a professional Corporation (designated for Corporations offering professional services), or a non-profit Corporation.

Steps to Forming a Corporation in Montana

Step 1: Choose a Name

The first step in forming a Corporation in Montana is selecting a name.

The name of the Corporation has to be different from other entity names in the state of Montana.  Check Corporation name availability in Montana.

The name of the Corporation must include one of the following designators at the end of the business name:

• Corporation
• Incorporated
• Company
• Limited
• Or an abbreviation of one of those words – Corp., Co., Inc., or Ltd.

A comma may be used after the business name and before the designator.  For example, “Common Grounds Coffee Inc.” and “Common Grounds Coffee, Inc.” are both acceptable.

If there is a name you want but are not ready to register the Corporation, you can file for a Reservation of Name with the Montana Secretary of State. The name reservation will hold a name for up to 120 days at the cost of $10.

Before selecting a name, you may also want to see if the domain name is also available.

While a Corporation has to select a unique name that another Montana Corporation isn’t using, that doesn’t guarantee the name isn’t currently in use by someone else.  Before registering a Corporation name, be sure to do a trademark search to verify it is available for you to use.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

To have a Corporation in Montana, a Montana Registered Agent must be identified to act as a central point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc., on behalf of the Corporation (referred to as service of process).  This can either be a resident of Montana or commercial registered agent service.

You can act as the Corporation’s Registered Agent in Montana, and you are not required to pay for a registered agent. The requirements to be a Registered Agent are generally available during normal business hours and have a physical street address in the state.  A PO Box is not allowed.

Any individual meeting the requirements can be the agent; however, the agent’s name and address will become public record, and with that comes a loss of privacy. This is more important for some entrepreneurs, especially when doing business from home or are still employed.  Hiring a company like Northwest Registered Agent to be the Registered Agent will help protect their privacy.

Related: Do I Need a Registered Agent in Montana?

Step 3: File the Montana Articles of Incorporation

Next, you can start filing the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. The Articles of Incorporation can only be filed on the Montana Secretary of State’s website.

The information requested includes:

• The name of the Corporation, which must contain the word “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” “Limited,” or an abbreviation.
• Type of Corporation, which can either be general for profit, benefit for profit, professional, close (with or without directors), professional close (with or without directors)
• Registered Agent’s name and physical street address.
• Number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue.
• Name, address, and signature of the incorporators.   These can be the owners of the Corporation or someone helping with the formation of the entity.
• Effective date. By default, a Corporation will begin from the date the Secretary of State files the paperwork, however, a date in the future can be selected if desired.

Step 4: Create Corporate Bylaws

Bylaws are the general guiding principles and procedures of the operations of the business. For example, the bylaws may include the name of the officers of the Corporation, responsibilities of the board members, terms of office, procedures for removing or adding a new director or shareholder, policies for authorizing new shares, when shareholder, and director meetings will be held, and more.

Step 5: Hold the Initial Board of Directors Meeting

During the first board meeting, the board of directors will, at a minimum, elect the officers of the Corporation (the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary). They will also typically review and approve corporate bylaws, choose a bank, issue shares of stock, and decide whether the Corporation will be taxed as a C corporation or S corporation.

It’s critical to remember that taking meeting minutes at all meetings is necessary to protect the shareholders from lawsuits and court actions. The minutes provide a record of all decisions and actions taken during the meeting. Minutes aren’t filed with the state, however, they need to be stored with other Corporate documents.

Step 6: Issue Shares of Stock

In exchange for money or services, the Corporation can exchange shares of stock. The number of shares of stock issued cannot be more than the number of authorized shares listed in the Articles of Incorporation.

If you are using an attorney to create the bylaws, they can also create the shares of stock.  Alternatively, an inexpensive Corporate Kit can be purchased from Amazon, which has a corporate records book, blank stock certificates, initial meeting minutes template, corporate seal, and more.

Step 7: Obtain an EIN

The EIN or Employer Identification Number (also called a Federal Employer Identification Number, FEIN, or Tax ID Number) is a unique 9-digit tax identification number assigned to a business by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Similar to a social security number for an individual, the EIN identifies the Corporation for tax purposes. The EIN will be needed to hire employees, open a bank account, register for business licenses and permits, file tax returns, and more.

There is no cost for the EIN when registering through the IRS. The number is available immediately when applying through the IRS website; however, you can also register by phone, fax, or mailing IRS Form SS-4.

Related: How to Apply for an EIN

Step 8: Elect the Corporation’s Form of Federal Income Taxation

By default, a new corporation will be taxed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) like a C-Corporation.  C-Corporations pay corporate taxes on their profits, and the owners pay personal income taxes on their dividends.

A Corporation can elect to be taxed as an S-Corporation. S-Corporations are taxed as “pass-through entities,” which means the Corporation itself does not file corporate taxes. Instead, the profits (or losses) “pass through” to the shareholders, who then report this income on their individual taxes.

For most small businesses, the S-Corporation tax election is the most beneficial because it eliminates the double taxation of the C-Corporation. This tax election can be changed; however, it is highly recommended to talk with an accountant before making this decision.

Step 9: Open a Bank Account

Opening a bank account for your Corporation is important for liability protection as the bank account separates the business’s funds from the member’s personal funds.
Several documents will be needed to open a business bank account, such as:

• A banking resolution is a document that authorizes the members to open a business bank account on behalf of the LLC.
• Copies of the original Articles of Incorporation showing the creation of the Corporation in addition to the bylaws.
• Driver’s licenses of the members.
• Depending on the age of the Corporation, a Montana Certificate of Good Standing may be needed to prove the business entity is active and in good standing with the state.

Related: How to Open a Business Bank Account 

Step 10: Apply for Business Licenses and Permits

Depending on what your business does and where it is located, there will likely be various Montana business licenses and permits needed before starting your business. Some common registrations include:

Business Licenses – The state of Montana doesn’t have a general business license; however, many cities require a business license to operate.

Contractor License – Construction contractors will need to register with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.

Professional Licensing – Some services such as barbers, cosmetologists, massage therapists, and landscape architects require licensing in Montana. While this isn’t a license on the business, licensing is required in order to operate.

Employees – Businesses with employees in Montana will need to register with the Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) to get an employer withholding tax number.

Related: What business licenses and permits are needed in Montana?

Step 11: File Annual Reports

Corporations are required to submit an annual report with the Montana Secretary of State by April 15^th of each year.

The minimum annual filing fee for the annual report and franchise tax in Montana is $20.