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HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is warning Montana businesses about a misleading mailing from an out-of-state organization seeking $150 to file a business’s 2027 Annual Report.
The mailing titled “2027 – ANNUAL REPORT INSTRUCTION FORM,” is not associated with the Secretary of State’s Office or any government agency. The solicitation asks businesses to pay $150 for annual report filing services, even though Montana’s 2027 Annual Report filing period doesn’t open until January 1, 2027.
Additionally, Secretary Jacobsen has waived the filing fee for all Montana businesses that submit their 2027 Annual Report between January 1 and April 15, 2027. Businesses can complete the filing at no cost during that timeframe by visiting Secretary Jacobsen’s website at https://biz.sosmt.gov.
“Once again, an out-of-state organization is attempting to deceive hardworking Montana business owners by burying key information in fine print,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “These mailings are not government notices; they areunauthorized, misleading, and must stop at once.”
Secretary Jacobsen thanked the Montana business owners who reported receiving the mailing and encourages all businesses to carefully review any mail or email concerning business filings, certificates, compliance documents, or other government-related services.
Key takeaways for Montana businesses
- The “2027 – Annual Report Instruction Form” is a private solicitation, not an official notice from the Montana Secretary of State’s Office.
- Montana’s 2027 Annual Report filing period opens January 1, 2027.
- Secretary Jacobsen has waived the 2027 Annual Report filing fee for eligible businesses that file between January 1 and April 15, 2027.
- Businesses should review disclaimers and fine print carefully. Out-of-state organizations may disclose in fine print that a mailing is a solicitation, but the overall presentation may still resemble an official government notice.
- Montana businesses should use the Secretary of State’s official website at https://biz.sosmt.gov for business filings and records. The website is available 24/7.
“In Montana, we continue to stand with our small businesses, not the out-of-state outfits that prey on them,” said Secretary Jacobsen.