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State-By-State Initial Compliance - Montana

Initial Filings for Montana Nonprofit Organizations

For a general discussion on starting a nonprofit organization, please refer to our article, Starting a Nonprofit Organization.

  1. To Incorporate in Montana

    Submit Articles of Incorporation to:

    Secretary of State
    PO Box 202802
    Helena, MT 59620-2802
    Information: (406) 444-3665
    Fax: (406) 444-3976
    Web Site: sos.mt.gov/
    Filing Fee: $20 ($40 for expedited – 24hr – processing)
  2. To Obtain 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

    Submit Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption to:

    Note new address:
    Internal Revenue Service
    P.O. Box 12192
    Covington, KY 41012-0192
    Information: (800) 829-1040
    Forms: (800) 829-3676
    Web Site: www.irs.gov/charities
    Filing Fee: $750 ($300 if revenues less than $10,000/year)
    Note: User fees will increase for all applications for exemption (Forms 1023, 1024, and 1028) postmarked after January 3, 2010:
    $ 400 for organizations whose gross receipts are $10,000 or less annually over a 4-year period
    $ 850 for organizations whose gross receipts exceed $10,000 annually over a 4-year period
    $ 3,000 for group exemption letters.
    For more information on filing fees and for information on the IRS' new web initiative "Cyber Assistant", see the IRS website.
  3. To Obtain Montana Corporation License Tax Exemptions

    To obtain exemption, charitable organizations exempt from federal income taxes should submit copies of the organization's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, the latest financial statements and a certified copy of the IRS Determination Letter to:

    Department of Revenue
    PO Box 8021
    Helena, MT 59604
    Information: (406) 444-6900
    Fax: (406) 444-0629
    Web Site: mt.gov/revenue/
  4. To Obtain Montana Sales Tax Exemption

    Montana does not have a state sales tax.

  5. To Register with the Montana Attorney General

    Montana does not require charities to register for fundraising purposes. For more information, contact the Montana Attorney General at:

    Office of the Attorney General
    Montana Department of Justice
    P.O. Box 201401
    Helena, MT 59620-1401
    Information: (406) 444-2026
    Web Site: doj.mt.gov/consumer/nonprofit/default.asp

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