MT Business License Basics
If you own a business in Montana you'll need a license to operate. There are various types of Montana business licenses and permits that are required by various government entities at federal, state and local levels. An operating license is the basic type of business license that most all businesses will be expected to have.
Each level of government has specific regulations and requirements that need to be met before a business can get a license. If you don’t know the licensing rules in Montana and follow them it could result in expensive fines and putting your business at risk.
Types of Business Licenses in Montana
Federal Business Licenses – The federal government has a number of agencies that regulate and supervise business activities. If your business participates in any of these federally regulated activities you will have to get a federal business license.
Activities that will be required to get a federal business license include:
- Alcohol manufacturing, importing and sales
- Agriculture
- Firearm dealing, importing and manufacturing
- Ammunition and Explosives dealing, importing and manufacturing
- Aviation
- Wildlife related activity
- Mining
- Drilling
- Commercial fishing
- TV and radio broadcasting
- Trucking
State Business Licenses – Many Montana businesses must obtain some type of state business license to be able to legally operate. At the minimum a business should get a professional or occupational license. Montana business licenses are typically used for tax purposes.
Local Business Licenses – Local Montana governments and municipalities also grant business licenses. All businesses will be required to get some type of local business license to be able to operate in Montana.
Permits – Permits are more specific to a certain kind of business within an industry. Permits have a wide selection of purposes from parking to product sales.
How to Get a Montana Business License
The steps you have got to take to obtain a business license in Montana will vary depending on what sort of business license you have to get. Regardless of what type of license you are attempting to get you will need to fill out application form(s) and supply detailed information about your business.
If you are starting a business or expanding your business you will have numerous forms to fill out. Be ready to supply your Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The SBA (Small Business Administration) has great online tools for helping business owners determine exactly what type of Montana business licenses they need to get, links to websites, applications and instructions. If you’re just starting a business and need guidance on licensing, the SBA is the perfect place to learn more.
Maintaining Your Montana Business License
Once you get your Montana business licenses and permits you must still maintain them year after year to keep them up to date. The guidelines below are recommended if you want to ensure your business license is in good standing.
- Make copies of your business licenses and permits.
- Monitor when licenses and permits need to be renewed.
- Follow the regulations for displaying your business license.
- If you want to change or expand your business make sure to verify whether you need additional permits or business licenses.