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HELENA, Mont. — Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is alerting Montana business owners about deceptive mailings and emails that look official and demand large payments for filing business documents or annual reports.
These mailings and emails often come from companies using names that appear official. These companies are not affiliated with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office or any government agency.
Some of these solicitations include fine-print disclaimers stating they are not government offices, yet their design and wording still cause confusion for business owners.
There is NO FEE to File Your Annual Report Through April 15
Secretary Jacobsen waived the annual report filing fee for all Montana businesses that file by April 15, 2026. Businesses can safely file their 2026 annual report or access their official business documents directly through the official Secretary of State website at biz.sosmt.gov.
Secretary Jacobsen has waived the annual report filing fee each year beginning in 2024. She also announced that the 2027 annual report filing fee will be waived.
“I made a promise to make it easier to do business in Montana, and my team has worked hard to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy so business owners can focus on their success, not red tape,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “I won’t stand by and let these deceptive solicitors, often from out-of-state, take advantage of hard-working Montanans. We’re committed to protecting you, Montana!”
Secretary Jacobsen has referred misleading mailings to the Attorney General’s Office and fought for Montana businesses by forcing one organization to halt its deceptive practices through a cease-and-desist letter.
How to Protect Yourself
- Look for disclaimers or fine print stating that the document is a solicitation, advertisement, or not associated with a government office or agency.
- Ignore mailings or emails demanding large fees for filings or certificates.
- Do not send any money to these companies. You may contact them directly to request removal from their mailing list or simply disregard their notices.
- Share this warning to help protect your fellow Montanans.
Examples of Business Solicitations
Click the links below to view examples of solicitations reported by Montana businesses.
Example of a solicitation sent to Montana businesses
The Mission of the Office of the Secretary of State is to protect the integrity of elections, be an asset to businesses and preserve official history.
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