Business Startup Recommendation List
View a printable version here
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
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Montana Department of Commerce.
Montana Department of Commerce
301 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59620
Contact Us | 406-841-2700
Montana Relay 711
