State Guide
EIN in Montana (MT)
How to get an EIN for your Montana business or LLC. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS, identical in every state. Non-residents file Form SS-4 with a passport number. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Getting an EIN in Montana follows the same federal IRS process used in every state. The EIN is a federal number, not state-specific. Non-US residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 and enter a passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. The IRS issues the EIN in 4-7 business days. ein.so prepares and faxes the SS-4 for you. Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
Montana (MT) is a no-sales-tax state with a 1-6.75% state income tax. Founders form Montana LLCs to access the US market, invoice American clients in dollars, and open US business bank accounts. Every Montana business that hires staff, opens a bank account, or files US taxes needs an EIN. The EIN is the federal tax ID issued by the IRS. It is identical whether you register your company in Montana, Wyoming, or Delaware. This guide explains how non-residents get an EIN for a Montana entity, how the federal EIN differs from the Montana state tax ID, and what to do after approval.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Montana (MT) |
| State income tax | 1-6.75% |
| Statewide sales tax | None |
| State tax authority | Montana Department of Revenue |
| LLC registration | Montana Secretary of State |
| Federal EIN | Same as all states (IRS) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 (ein.so Standard) |
| IRS EIN fax | 855-215-1627 |
State vs Federal
Is a Montana EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
No. A Montana EIN is a federal EIN. The IRS issues one 9-digit number (XX-XXXXXXX) that works in all 50 states. Montana does not issue its own EIN. The state does issue a separate Montana state tax registration through the Department of Revenue.
Your federal EIN and your Montana state tax ID serve different purposes. Mixing them up causes filing errors.
| Identifier | Issuer | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal tax filing, banking, payment processors |
| Montana state tax ID | Montana Department of Revenue | State withholding, state-level filings |
The EIN does not replace state registration. The state tax ID does not replace the EIN. A business with Montana employees or in-state activity may need both. Confirm your specific obligations with a CPA. See state tax ID for the distinction and EIN cost for a full price breakdown.
Use Cases
Why Do Montana Businesses Need a Federal EIN?
Montana businesses need an EIN because no US LLC can open a bank account, accept card payments, or file US taxes without one. The EIN links your Montana entity to the US financial and tax system. Non-residents use it to operate a US company remotely.
Montana attracts founders with no statewide sales tax and a straightforward registration process. Here are the most common reasons applicants come to ein.so for a Montana EIN.
Non-Resident LLC Owners
E-commerce and Amazon Sellers
Freelancers and Consultants
SaaS and Digital Products
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN in Montana?
A non-US resident gets a Montana EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS at 855-215-1627 with a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS issues the EIN in 4-7 business days. The online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use the fax method. The process is identical in every state.
| Method | Speed | Cost | SSN Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | Free | Yes |
| Fax | 4-7 days | Free / $49 | No |
| Phone | Same day | Free | Varies |
| 4-6 weeks | Free | No |
Non-residents without an SSN use fax. ein.so prepares the SS-4 and faxes it, with Standard at $49 (4-7 business days) and Express at $97 (2-3 business days). See how to get an EIN and EIN without an SSN for the full process.
Form Your Montana LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN
SS-4 Fields
How Do Non-Residents Complete Form SS-4?
Non-residents complete Form SS-4 by entering the US LLC name on Line 1, the foreign address on Line 4, the responsible party name on Line 7a, and the passport number on Line 7b. No SSN goes on the form. Address formatting errors are the top cause of IRS rejection.
| SS-4 Field | Non-Resident Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Montana LLC name |
| Line 4 (Mailing address) | Your home-country address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your foreign passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason for applying) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "e-commerce," "software," "consulting" |
The IRS rejects malformed international addresses without explanation. ein.so reformats your address to an IRS-accepted style so your application is not silently dropped. Read the complete SS-4 form guide for line-by-line detail and the EIN application process.
If a bank or platform also requires a personal US tax number, ein.so offers ITIN filing at $197 standard or $297 express. The EIN and the ITIN are different numbers for different purposes.
Banking & Payments
How Do You Use a Montana EIN for Banking and Payments?
You use a Montana EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors. The EIN gives a Montana LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury and Relay approve most non-resident LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe on a US Entity
PayPal Business (US)
Amazon and Marketplaces
Together, a Montana LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let you invoice American clients in dollars and accept card payments. The EIN is the first step; the bank account and processors follow once the IRS issues your number.
Tax & Compliance
What Tax and Compliance Steps Follow a Montana EIN?
A foreign-owned single-member Montana LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Most US LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. Montana state filings depend on your in-state activity. Confirm specifics with a US CPA.
Form 5472 + 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Montana State Registration
Federal Income Tax
ein.so handles the EIN application only. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters for your tax filings. Your EIN is the starting point for US compliance. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Montana
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, filed at fincen.gov/boi
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Register state taxes — with the Montana Department of Revenue if you have in-state activity (state tax ID)
- Check EIN processing time and EIN cost — plan your timeline and budget
Other states: Maine | New Mexico | West Virginia | Rhode Island. Browse all on EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Montana EIN different from a federal EIN?
No. The EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS. It is the same 9-digit number (XX-XXXXXXX) regardless of which state you operate in. Montana does not issue its own version of an EIN. A Montana LLC, a Wyoming LLC, and a Delaware LLC all receive the identical federal EIN from the same IRS process using Form SS-4.
How do I get an EIN in Montana as a non-US resident?
Non-residents apply by fax to the IRS at 855-215-1627 using Form SS-4. Enter your passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. The IRS issues the EIN in 4-7 business days. The online tool at irs.gov requires an SSN, so it is blocked for non-residents. ein.so files the SS-4 for you for $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express).
Does Montana have a state tax ID separate from the EIN?
Yes. Montana issues a separate state tax registration through the Montana Department of Revenue. This is distinct from your federal EIN. Your EIN handles federal tax reporting. The Montana state tax ID handles state withholding and state filing obligations. You may need both depending on whether you have employees or in-state activity. Confirm your specific obligations with a CPA.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Montana?
The EIN itself is free from the IRS ($0). Montana LLC formation requires a state filing fee paid to the Montana Secretary of State; confirm the current amount on the state website. ein.so charges $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 2-3 business days) to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the SSN-only online tool.
What is the Montana state income tax rate?
Montana has a 1-6.75% state income tax that applies to individuals and pass-through income. This is separate from federal taxes reported under your EIN. Montana has no statewide general sales tax. Tax treatment of a foreign-owned LLC depends on your residence and the nature of your income, so confirm your situation with a US CPA. ein.so does not give tax advice.
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN for a Montana LLC?
No. A non-US resident does not need an SSN or ITIN to obtain an EIN. Your foreign passport number serves as identification on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which forces non-residents to use the fax method instead. ein.so handles that fax filing. If you later need an ITIN, ein.so offers that service at $197 standard or $297 express.
Can I form a Montana LLC from outside the United States?
Yes. A non-resident forms a Montana LLC online through the Montana Secretary of State, usually with a registered agent providing a Montana address. You do not need to visit the US or hold a visa. After the LLC is registered, you apply for the EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627. The LLC and the EIN together let you open a US bank account.
Does a foreign-owned Montana LLC have annual IRS filings?
Yes. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year. The penalty for failing to file is $25,000. This is an information return that reports transactions between the LLC and its foreign owner. Review the [Form 5472 guide](/form-5472-guide/) and work with a US CPA to file on time.
How long does an EIN take for a Montana business?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days for $49, and Express takes 2-3 business days for $97. The DIY fax method takes 4-7 business days when Form SS-4 contains no errors. A US applicant with an SSN can use the irs.gov online tool for an instant EIN. Processing time does not depend on which state your business is in.
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