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HELENA, Mont. — For the third year in a row, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is once again saving Montana businesses millions of dollars by waiving the annual report filing fee in 2026.
She also announced that it will be waived again in 2027, marking four consecutive years of providing the one-time fee waiver to local businesses. Secretary Jacobsen’s decision is expected to save Montana businesses more than $21 million over the next two years.
The initiative continues Secretary Jacobsen’s commitment to making it easier to do business in Montana.
“Here at the Secretary of State’s Office, we’re honored to serve local businesses on their journey. We remain focused on making business registrations simple, affordable, and accessible through modern online services and reduced costs,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “By increasing efficiencies and waiving fees, I’m proud that we can allow Montana businesses to focus on what they do best – providing stellar products and services, serving our communities, and driving our economy.”
Since taking office in January 2021, Secretary Jacobsen has implemented successful measures, including cutting registration fees for new businesses and eliminating several other fees, resulting in record growth in new business registrations over the past four years. In 2024, nearly 64,000 new businesses registered with the Secretary of State’s Office. New registrations have already surpassed that total in 2025.
Secretary Jacobsen’s leadership has received widespread positive feedback throughout the region, including comments from gracious business owners, praise from Montana’s Legislative Audit Committee, and the Mountain States Policy Center’s Elevation Award.
“The positive impact of our local Montana businesses is invaluable,” Secretary Jacobsen said, “and the Secretary of State’s Office is proud to serve as a partner to our business community. Thank you for doing business in Montana!”