Business Startup Checklist

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Inquire with the Montana Small Business Development Center network to assist with navigating business ventures.

Montana SBDC locations | Montana SBDC training

DETERMINE YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Resource:

• U.S. Small Business Administration: choose your business structure
• Montana SBDC: legal structures
• Internal Revenue Service: business structures

REGISTER YOUR ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME

Resource:

• Montana Secretary of State's Office: register a business

Contact:

• 406-444-3665

FILE APPROPRIATE ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS

Resource:

• Montana Secretary of State’s Office: Montana business name search

Contact:

• 406-444-3665

APPLY FOR FEDERAL AND STATE TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

Resource:

• Internal Revenue Service: How to apply for an EIN
• Internal Revenue Service: SS-4 form and employer identification number
• Montana Department of Revenue: taxpayer access point for businesses

Contact:

• Internal Revenue Service: 1-800-829-4933 | Montana locations
• Montana Department of Revenue: 406-444-6900

DETERMINE BUSINESS LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Resource:

• Montana Department of Revenue: State of Montana licenses

Contact:

• Montana Department of Revenue: 406-444-6900 | eStop business licenses
• Montana Department of Labor and Industry: 406-841-2300 | professional and occupational licensing
• Montana Department of Agriculture: 406-444-3144 | Technical Service Bureau
• Montana Department of Revenue: 406-444-6900 | Liquor Licensing Division
• Montana Department of Justice: 406-444-1971 | Gambling Control Division
• Montana Department of Labor and Industry: 406-444-9029 | Independent Contractor Central Unit
• Montana Department of Labor and Industry: 406-444-0563 | Construction Contractor Registration Unit

EMPLOYMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Resource:

• Montana Department of Revenue: employee tax
• Montana Department of Labor and Industry: employment laws
• Montana Department of Labor and Industry: worker’s compensation and occupational disease blue book
• Montana Department of Labor and Industry: Montana unemployment insurance employer handbook
• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: new hire booklet

Contact:

• Montana Association of Labor and Industry: 406-444-0566 | Worker’s Compensation Regulations Bureau
• Montana Association of Labor and Industry: 406-444-3783 | Unemployment Insurance Division
• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: 406-444-9290 | new hire reporting system

DETERMINE TAX OBLIGATIONS AND SETTING UP WITHHOLDING RECORDS

Resource:

• IRS Publication 583: starting a business and keeping records
• IRS Publication 334: tax guide for small business
• IRS Publication 505: tax withholding and estimated tax
• Montana Department of Revenue: Montana wage withholding tax information

Contact:

• Internal Revenue Service: 1-800-829-4933 | Montana locations

PROTECT YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Contact:

• Montana Technology Innovation Partnership: 406-994-3885
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: 1-800-786-9199
• U.S. Copyright Office: 1-877-476-0778

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Business resources: 406-841-2870 | Business MT Division
• Exporting: 406-841-2783 | ExportMontana
• Government contracting: 406-256-6871 | Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
• Healthcare reform: 406-444-2040 | Montana health insurance answers
• Manufacturing: 406-994-3812 | Montana Manufacturing Extension Centers
• Market research: 406-532-3265 | Montana site selector
• Market research: 406-841-2740 | data and research
• Market research: 406-841-2740 | Census and Economic Information Center
• Market research: 1-800-923-8282 | U.S. Census Bureau
• Market research: 406-444-4100 | Montana labor market information
• Montana products: 406-841-2757 | Made in Montana
• Veteran Business Outreach Center: 406-869-8411 | VBOC
• Women in business: 406-587-3113 | Montana Women’s Business Center