How to register an escort business in Montana
Montana. The Treasure State. Land of many mammals, including the most moose (meese?), migratory elks, trumpeter swans and nesting loons in the United States. And your grizzly bear and yak population isn't too shabby either.
Montana is also a healthy, welcoming state in which to register your small escort business, and in this article you'll find clear step-by-step advice on how to do just that. For more information on why it's vitally important to register your business, refer to our article Don't get busted for tax evasion: Why registering your escort business is the only option.
For some helpful advice on picking out a business name, visit Business.gov.
Step four: Register your business / business name
Sole Proprietorship:
In Montana you are not required to register your sole proprietorship escort business as a separate business entity: because the business is you, it is not recognized as a separate business and you'll file your business information along with your own personal taxes.
You are also not required to register your business name if it is your full name and service: "Jane Doe's Escort Service". However, if you take on any other form of a DBA name, including something as simple as "Doe's Escort Service", you must submit an Assumed Business Name Application for Registration, which can be found at the Montana Secretary of State—Assumed Business Name. There is a $20 filing fee applied to this form, and it requests basic information about who owns/manages the company.
For more information on if taking on a DBA is a good choice for your business, refer to our article Do I want to be a sole proprietor?
Partnership:
In Montana you are not required to register your general partnership business as a separate business entity. However, it is highly recommended that you draft a partnership agreement. This is not filed with the state but defines and protects your business should you run into legal trouble. And you will have to file an information return come tax time, so having your books in order is very important. More on that below.
You are also not obligated to register your business name in Montana if it is the collected names of the partners outlined in your partnership agreement. But if you choose to take on a DBA name you must submit an Assumed Business Name Application for Registration, which can be found at the Montana Secretary of State—Assumed Business Name. There is a $20 filing fee applied to this form, and it requests basic information about who owns/manages the company.
Corporation:
To register your escort corporation in Montana you'll need to file your Articles of Incorporation with the Montana Secretary of State. You can find instructions and download this form at the Montana Secretary of State: Business Forms. You'll include information on the amount of shares for the corporation and the incorporating persons and a $70 filing fee. Because of the intricate information required when starting a corporation, it is highly recommended that you seek advice from a business lawyer and accountant.
Registering your Articles of Incorporation will register your business name, so you will not have to file any additional paperwork for this.
LLC:
To register your escort LLC in Montana, you'll need to file your Articles of Organization with the Montana Secretary of State. You can find instructions and download this form at the Montana Secretary of State: Business Forms. The form includes basic information about the members and managers of the LLC, and requires a $70 filing fee.
Registering your Articles of Organization will register your business name, so you will not have to file any additional paperwork.
Step six: Register for your federal and Montana state taxes
There are a few basic types of taxes small businesses in Montana may register for.
- Individual Income Tax: If you're a sole proprietor or LLC, you'll file your business profits/losses in a Schedule EZ form that will go along with your personal income tax 1040 form. For more information go to IRS.gov. More information and downloadable forms can be found at the Montana Department of Revenue.
- Business Taxes: Businesses in Montana have to pay corporate taxes. Partnerships pay through a Tax-Through Entity form and corporations must file a Corporate License Tax Return.
- Unemployment Insurance: All businesses with employees pay unemployment insurance to safeguard the state's unemployed. More information, online filing and download forms can be found at the Montana Unemployment Insurance Division: Unemployment Insurance Tax.
- Withholding Taxes: Employers must withhold taxes from employees for their personal income taxes. More information on wage withholding in Montana can be found at the Montana Department of Revenue: Wage Withholding Forms.
- Workers Compensation: If you have employees, you'll have to pay Worker's Compensation. More information can be found at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
- Self-Employment Taxes: If you own and operate your business and are not paid as an employee, you'll need to file your own self-employment taxes for social security and Medicaid. This is particularly true for sole proprietorships, general partnerships and LLCs. You can find this Schedule C / 1040 form and get more information at IRS.gov. Get more information at IRS.gov » Self-Employment Tax.
Step seven: Get necessary licenses and permits
There's no specific "escort license" in Montana, and chances are you won't need any other permits to conduct your escort service, but it's a good idea to run your city through the IRS's Permit Me tool and get more information about specific filing from their site.
For more information about registering an escort business in Montana, consider the following online destinations:
Find out how to register an escort business in each state of the USA.
Related resources:
Please note: Dating.com is not a legal service, nor are we tax advisors or accountants. We do offer you what we consider our best advice, but if at all in doubt, please consult a professional.
