MT Tax & Accounting Services
Kurt Simmons CPA provides comprehensive tax and financial services to individuals and businesses throughout Montana (MT). With its agriculture, energy, and growing remote work economy, we understand the unique financial landscape that comes with doing business in Montana.
Under the CPA Mobility Act, our CPA — licensed in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida — is authorized to provide the full range of attestation, tax, and advisory services to Montana clients without the need for an additional state license. This means Montana individuals and businesses receive the same comprehensive service as our home-state clients: financial statement audits, tax strategy, IRS representation, virtual CFO services, and every other service we offer — delivered through our technology-forward, virtual-first practice model.
CPA Services Available in Montana (MT)
MT Individual Tax Preparation
Comprehensive federal and Montana state tax return preparation, including complex returns with investments, rental properties, and self-employment income.
Learn More →MT Business Tax Services
Tax preparation and planning for Montana-based businesses including S-Corps, C-Corps, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships.
Learn More →MT Cryptocurrency Tax
Specialized crypto tax services for Montana investors and traders. DeFi, NFTs, staking rewards, and exchange reporting handled with expertise.
Learn More →MT Trader Tax Services
Mark-to-market elections, wash sale tracking, and tax optimization strategies for active traders in Montana.
Learn More →MT IRS Resolution
Professional representation before the IRS for Montana taxpayers facing audits, collections, liens, levies, or offers in compromise.
Learn More →MT 83(b) Elections
Equity compensation planning and 83(b) election filing for Montana startup employees and founders receiving restricted stock.
Learn More →MT Financial Statement Audits
Full-scope GAAS-compliant financial statement audits for businesses, nonprofits, and organizations requiring independent assurance.
Learn More →MT Review Engagements
Limited assurance engagements providing meaningful confidence in financial statements for lender requirements and stakeholder reporting.
Learn More →MT Compilations
Professionally prepared financial statements from management-provided data for internal reporting, small business needs, and bank presentations.
Learn More →MT Agreed-Upon Procedures
Targeted, customized engagements designed to address specific areas of concern with flexible scope tailored to stakeholder needs.
Learn More →MT Employee Benefit Plan Audits
DOL-compliant audits for 401(k), pension, and employee benefit plans meeting ERISA filing requirements and fiduciary obligations.
Learn More →MT Tax Strategy & Advisory
Proactive, year-round tax planning that identifies savings opportunities. Entity structure optimization, multi-state planning, and strategic initiatives.
Learn More →MT Cost Segregation Studies
Engineering-based analysis to accelerate depreciation deductions on commercial and residential rental properties, maximizing cash flow.
Learn More →MT Virtual CFO Services
Fractional CFO capabilities including financial modeling, cash flow management, KPI dashboards, and strategic financial leadership.
Learn More →MT Business Consulting
Operational assessments, process improvement, internal control design, and strategic planning to drive efficiency and profitability.
Learn More →MT Estate & Succession Planning
Comprehensive estate planning, business succession strategies, and wealth transfer optimization for business owners and high-net-worth individuals.
Learn More →MT Capital Markets Advisory
Securities compliance, FINRA regulatory guidance, and capital markets advisory for businesses navigating public offerings, private placements, and broker-dealer requirements.
Learn More →Montana Audit Services in Detail
Montana businesses, nonprofits, federal contractors, and benefit plan sponsors typically need an independent audit when state law, federal rules, lenders, grantmakers, or boards require external assurance. We perform GAAS-compliant attest engagements scoped to the specific assurance need — most commonly:
Montana Federal Contractor & Military Audits
Montana hosts Malmstrom AFB (Great Falls — 341st Missile Wing operating Minuteman III ICBMs across central MT), Fort Harrison (Helena — National Guard), and significant federal land-management contracting (USFS, BLM, NPS — Glacier and Yellowstone gateway operations). We support Montana federal contractors with GAAS-compliant audits, indirect rate calculations and DCAA-compliant accounting systems, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance, and audits prepared for security-cleared business operations.
Montana Nonprofit Audits
Audited financial statements for MT charities are routinely required by major Montana funders — including the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation (Missoula), the Greater Montana Foundation, the Montana Community Foundation, the Whitney Benefits, the United Way affiliates, and federal subrecipient grantors. Montana also has substantial conservation-easement-based nonprofit activity through The Nature Conservancy, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (Missoula), and Montana Land Reliance.
Montana 401(k) & Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Montana plan sponsors filing Form 5500 generally require an ERISA-compliant audit when the plan has 100 or more participants with account balances at the start of the plan year. We perform full-scope and §103(a)(3)(C) limited-scope benefit plan audits for 401(k), 403(b), and defined-benefit plans across Montana, including plans sponsored by NorthWestern Energy (Butte), First Interstate BancSystem (Billings), Stillwater Mining (Stillwater County — palladium/platinum), Sibanye-Stillwater, the Washington Companies (Missoula — diversified), Glacier Bancorp (Kalispell), Billings Clinic and Bozeman Health, the Yellowstone Club (Big Sky private resort), Big Sky Resort, and Montana's substantial ranching and agricultural cooperative network.
Montana Single Audits (Uniform Guidance)
Montana nonprofits, counties, school districts, tribal entities (Blackfeet Nation, Crow Tribe, Northern Cheyenne, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes/Flathead, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Rocky Boy's), and pass-through subrecipients that expend $1,000,000 or more in federal awards in a fiscal year are subject to the Single Audit requirements of 2 CFR Part 200 — particularly relevant given Montana's heavy federal land/grant funding.
Montana Lender, Bonding & Investor Audits
Montana banks (First Interstate Bank, Glacier Bank, Stockman Bank, Yellowstone Bank, Farmers State Bank), surety companies, and Montana-based agricultural and ranch lenders frequently require audited financial statements as a condition of credit facilities, surety capacity, or capital raises.
Montana Reviews & Compilations
Where a full audit is not required, we deliver review engagements (limited assurance) and compilations (no assurance) — both routinely accepted by Montana lenders and stakeholders requiring CPA-prepared financial statements.
Montana (MT) Tax & Business Landscape
Key Montana Tax Numbers. Personal income tax: simplified to two brackets — 4.7% on lower income and 5.9% top rate (effective TY2024 reform). Corporate income tax: 6.75% flat. No general state sales tax — Montana is one of only five states with no general sales tax (also AK, DE, NH, OR), although Montana imposes local resort/sales taxes in select tourist towns (Whitefish, West Yellowstone, Big Sky resort district, Red Lodge — typically 3%). Estate tax: none. Pass-through entity (PTE) elective tax: rate matches personal IT (top 5.9%), available since tax year 2023.
Filing Mechanics. Individuals (residents and nonresidents/PY) file Form 2. C-corporations file Form CIT. Partnerships file Form PR-1; S-corps file Form CLT-4S. PTE election is made on partnership/S-corp returns. Returns are due April 15 and administered by the Montana Department of Revenue.
Montana LLC & the Out-of-State Vehicle Strategy. Montana's no-sales-tax rule and historical permissiveness around LLC formation has long been used by out-of-state buyers to avoid sales tax on luxury vehicles, RVs, exotic cars, and aircraft (forming a Montana LLC, registering the vehicle to that LLC, and storing/using it primarily in another state). However, your home state's tax authority — particularly California, New York, Massachusetts, and other aggressive states — actively pursues these arrangements under use-tax rules, and the IRS has scrutinized the federal income tax implications. We advise clients on the realistic risks before setting up such structures, including the Section 183 hobby-loss rules, home-state use-tax exposure, and IRS substance-over-form considerations.
The California-to-Montana Migration. Montana — particularly the Bozeman, Big Sky, Whitefish, and Yellowstone Club corridors — has been one of the largest beneficiaries of California-to-low-tax-state migration. The Yellowstone Club (Big Sky) is one of the most exclusive private residential resorts in the U.S. We help CA-to-MT movers establish unambiguous Montana domicile, sever California day-counting risk under the FTB six-month presumption and "closest connections" test, structure asset transitions to minimize CA exit taxation on built-in gains, and integrate Montana's no-sales-tax advantage into long-term planning.
Montana Ranching, Agriculture & the Bakken. Montana is one of the country's largest cattle-producing states (top 10) and a major producer of wheat (#3 winter and spring wheat combined), barley, hay, and pulse crops. The eastern third of Montana sits over the Bakken/Three Forks oil formation (the same play that drives North Dakota's economy), with significant production around Sidney, Glendive, and the Williston Basin. Ranchers face Schedule F reporting, livestock MACRS depreciation (5-year for breeding cattle), conservation easements under IRC §170(h) — extensively used in MT through Montana Land Reliance and similar trusts, like-kind exchanges of ranch land under §1031, IRC §1301 farm income averaging, and Section 2032A special-use valuation for estate planning (qualifying ranch land at use-value rather than fair market value — a substantial estate-tax benefit for ranching families).
Montana Economy & Who We Serve. Montana's economy spans agriculture and ranching (cattle, wheat, barley, hay, pulse crops), mining (Stillwater Mining/Sibanye-Stillwater — the only U.S. domestic source of palladium and platinum; copper historically Butte; coal in southeastern MT), oil and gas (Bakken/Williston Basin in eastern MT), tourism (Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Big Sky and Whitefish ski resorts, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Flathead Lake), timber and forest products (Western MT), federal government (Malmstrom AFB ICBMs, USFS, BLM, NPS), and technology and remote work (Bozeman/Missoula tech scenes; Workiva, Bridger Aerospace, Onboard Dynamics; substantial CA/Bay Area transplants). Our typical MT clients include Montana ranchers and farmers, California/Washington/Texas transplants, Big Sky/Whitefish/Bozeman high-net-worth families, real estate investors, Bakken oil/gas professionals, conservation-easement landowners, and tourism/lodge operators.
CPA Mobility in Montana. Montana has adopted CPA mobility provisions under the Uniform Accountancy Act. Kurt Simmons holds active CPA licenses in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida, and we confirm all applicable Montana Board of Public Accountants mobility and firm registration requirements before commencing any engagement.
Cities and Communities We Serve. Our virtual-first practice serves clients across all of Montana, including Billings (largest city; Eastern MT business hub), Missoula (UM; Western MT), Great Falls (Malmstrom AFB), Bozeman (Montana State University; Yellowstone Club; tech transplants), Helena (state capital), Kalispell (Glacier National Park gateway), Whitefish/Big Sky (resort/HNW), Butte (mining historical), Havre, Miles City (Eastern MT cattle), Sidney/Glendive (Bakken/Williston Basin), Red Lodge, the Flathead Valley, the Bitterroot Valley, the Hi-Line, and every Montana county.
Why Montana Clients Choose Us
- GAAS-compliant audit, review, and compilation experience for nonprofits, federal contractors, benefit plans, and privately held businesses
- Deep expertise in MT-specific issues: Montana's no-sales-tax planning (and the limits of out-of-state Montana LLC strategies), MT PTE elections, Montana ranching and agriculture tax (Schedule F, livestock MACRS, conservation easements under §170(h), §2032A special-use valuation, §1031 ranch land exchanges), Bakken oil/gas eastern MT accounting, California-to-Montana residency establishment for Big Sky/Bozeman/Whitefish transplants, and Stillwater palladium/platinum mining tax
- Capital markets background — Kurt Simmons has passed the Series 65 examination (Passed; not currently held as an active license) in addition to holding the CPA
- Specialized practices in cryptocurrency taxation, active trader tax, and 83(b) elections for MT Bozeman/Missoula tech-startup employees
- Technology-forward, virtual-first delivery — secure client portal, e-signature, and video consultations
- Transparent, fixed-fee engagements where possible — no surprise hourly invoices
Montana CPA — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Montana-licensed CPA?
Montana has adopted CPA mobility provisions under the Uniform Accountancy Act. Kurt Simmons holds active CPA licenses in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida, and we confirm any applicable Montana Board of Public Accountants firm-registration requirements before commencing attest engagements.
What is Montana's income tax rate?
Montana moved to a simplified two-bracket income tax structure with a top rate of 5.9% (the lower bracket is 4.7%), effective TY2024. Montana has no general state sales tax — one of only five states without one (also AK, DE, NH, OR). The MT corporate income tax is 6.75% flat. Form 2 is due April 15.
Does Montana have a SALT-cap workaround?
Yes. Montana enacted an elective Pass-Through Entity Tax effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Eligible S-corps and partnerships pay an entity-level tax at the top individual rate (5.9%) on Montana-source taxable income, and members receive a corresponding credit on Form 2.
Can I avoid sales tax on a luxury vehicle by registering it through a Montana LLC?
Montana's no-state-sales-tax rule and historical permissiveness around LLC vehicle registration has been used by out-of-state buyers to avoid sales tax on RVs, exotic cars, and aircraft. However, your home state's tax authority — especially California, New York, Massachusetts, and other aggressive states — actively pursues these arrangements under use-tax rules, and the IRS has scrutinized them for substance-over-form, hobby-loss (§183), and other issues. Whether a Montana LLC structure works depends on your facts: primary residence, vehicle physical location, vehicle use patterns, and home-state nexus rules. We advise on the realistic risks before you set up such a structure rather than after.
I moved from California to Bozeman/Big Sky/Whitefish. What residency planning do I need?
Montana — particularly Bozeman, Big Sky, Whitefish, and the Yellowstone Club — has been one of the largest beneficiaries of California-to-low-tax-state migration. California is aggressive about claiming continuing residency under the FTB's "closest connections" test (factors include home location, time present, family, business interests, voter/vehicle registration, professional licenses, healthcare). We help CA-to-MT movers establish unambiguous Montana domicile, sever California day-counting risk under the FTB six-month presumption, and structure asset transitions to minimize CA exit taxation on built-in gains.
I'm a Montana rancher. What special tax issues apply?
Montana ranching involves specialized federal and state tax issues: Schedule F farm reporting, livestock depreciation under MACRS (cattle held for breeding/dairy purposes generally 5-year MACRS), conservation easements under IRC §170(h) (very common in MT given the prevalence of Montana Land Reliance and similar trusts), Section 1031 like-kind exchanges of ranch land, IRC §1301 farm income averaging, Section 2032A special-use valuation for estate tax purposes (qualifying ranch land at use-value rather than fair market value — substantial estate-planning benefit for ranching families), and federal farm-program payment treatment (CRP, EQIP, ARC/PLC).
Do you serve Montana clients outside Billings?
Yes. Our practice is virtual-first, so we serve clients across all of Montana — including Billings (largest city; Eastern MT business hub), Missoula (UM; Western MT), Great Falls (Malmstrom AFB), Bozeman (Montana State University; Yellowstone Club; tech transplants), Helena (state capital), Kalispell (Glacier National Park gateway), Whitefish/Big Sky (resort/HNW), Butte (mining historical), Havre, Miles City (Eastern MT cattle), Sidney/Glendive (Bakken/Williston Basin), Red Lodge, the Flathead Valley, and rural Montana's ranching communities.