How to Dissolve an LLC in Montana in 7 Steps

How to Dissolve (Close) an LLC in Montana

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Carolyn Young has over 25 years of experience in business in various roles, including bank management, marketing management, and business education.

Reviewed by: Sarah Ruddle

For over 15 years, Sarah Ruddle has been a noteworthy leader in the business and nonprofit world.

How to Dissolve (Close) an LLC in Montana

How to Dissolve (Close) an LLC in Montana

If you have a limited liability company (LLC) in Montana, you may need to shut down the business at some point. Maybe you’ve started another company or decided to relocate to another state — whatever the reason, you’ll need to follow the somewhat complicated LLC dissolution process. 

If done incorrectly, you’ll still be responsible for annual reports and fees and could face additional penalties. But, lucky for you, this handy guide explains how to dissolve an LLC in Montana. 

Properly shutting down an LLC involves several crucial steps, as detailed below.  

1. Vote for Dissolution

LLC owners, known as members, must vote to dissolve the LLC. Hopefully, you have an operating agreement that details the process. However, if you don’t have an operating agreement, Montana law requires a judicial decree at the application of one of the members. Once this occurs, you’ll need to draft a resolution to dissolve the LLC. 

2. Cancel Business Licenses and Permits

If you were required to get licenses and permits for your business, you’d need to contact the issuing agencies to cancel them so that you’re not charged renewal fees. If you have any outstanding fees, you’ll likely need to pay them before you are allowed to cancel.

3. Notify Creditors

If you owe money to any creditors, you’ll need to notify them in writing of the dissolution and give them detailed instructions on filing any claims for the outstanding debt. In Montana, claims must be filed by the deadline specified in the notice, which must be at least 120 days from receipt of the notice. 

In Montana, this must be done before you formally dissolve your LLC with the state. 

4. Notify Tax Departments

Notify any relevant tax authorities of the dissolution and pay any outstanding taxes due.

5. Cancel Contracts and Settle Financial Obligations

If you have contracts with vendors, lessors, or any other outstanding financial obligations, you’ll need to ensure all your obligations are fulfilled and all contracts are canceled. 

6. Distribute Assets to Members

If the LLC has any assets remaining in any form after all financial obligations have been settled, they must be distributed to members based on LLC ownership percentages. If the assets are equipment, property, or other non-cash assets, they’ll need to be sold first so distributions can be made in cash. 

7. File the Dissolution Papers with Montana

In Montana, the process to officially dissolve your LLC is to file articles of termination with the Secretary of State. You can do so on the Secretary of State’s website by searching for your business and following the prompts to fill out the form.

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Montana does not have a mail filing option, so you must file your articles of termination online.

The fee for filing the dissolution papers in Montana is $15.

In Closing

Regardless of the reason, LLC dissolution must be done right to avoid legal issues and financial penalties. Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you employ the services of an attorney to ensure everything is done correctly and all bases are covered. 

FAQs

How much does it cost to dissolve an LLC in Montana?

The fee for filing articles of termination in Montana is $15.

How long does it take to dissolve a Montana LLC?

It generally takes five business days for articles of termination to be processed in Montana.

Should I close an unused LLC in Montana?

If you have no plans to operate the Montana LLC in the future, you should dissolve the LLC. However, you’ll still be responsible for annual reporting and fee requirements if you don’t.

What happens if I don't dissolve my LLC in Montana?

You will remain responsible for all your LLC’s filings and fees. If you don’t keep up with them, penalties may accrue.

What is the difference between the dissolution and termination of an LLC in Montana?

Dissolution begins with the triggering event, such as a vote of members per the operating agreement. Termination is when all LLC activities stop, including winding up affairs and filing dissolution paperwork with the state. The filing of those documents finally terminates the Montana LLC.