Montana Ranks Among the Best States to Start an LLC in 2026
Montana is one of the best states to start a business in, specifically an LLC, in 2026. A study conducted by Lance Surety Bonds ranked Montana No. 4 for starting an LLC.
To identify the most business-friendly states, Lance Surety Bonds analyzed all 50 states using six key factors, including income tax rates, filing fees, and business activity trends. By combining these metrics into a weighted score, a clear picture emerged of where entrepreneurs have the strongest advantages and where they may face the biggest hurdles. - LanceSuretyBonds.com
Montana's strongest metric was its LLC filing fee. The state ranked No. 1, charging just $35.
We also ranked No. 3 in "business application growth since 2002" with applications up almost 100%.
When you see a report like this, I think it's easy to see why several people circumvent where they register their cars. It's a lot easier to register a Lambo under an LLC set up in Montana, or it's at least cheaper.
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What is an LLC?
Hey, there are no dumb questions. If you're a little fuzzy on the definition of an LLC, let's check in with our good friends at the IRS.
"A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a business structure allowed by state statute.... Depending on elections made by the LLC and the number of members, the IRS will treat an LLC as either a corporation, partnership, or as part of the LLC’s owner’s tax return (a “disregarded entity”)." - IRS.gov
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For the full study, check out this link.