Payroll
New Employer Payroll Setup: Step-by-Step Checklist for 2026
Get your EIN, register with Montana, set up withholding, new hire reporting — the complete checklist.
Practical guides on MT payroll taxes, employer registration, SUI, minimum wage, and labor laws — written for small business owners, not accountants.
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Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, Paychex, and ADP — compared honestly. Who each product is right for, where each falls short, and what to ask before you sign anything.
Get your EIN, register with Montana, set up withholding, new hire reporting — the complete checklist.
New employer rate 1.18%, experienced range 0.13%6.30%, wage base $43,000.
Montana minimum wage $10.55/hr. Montanas minimum wage is $10.55/hr, adjusted annually for inflation. No tip credit is allowed — tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage.
Montana flat 4.7% income tax, SUI on the first $43,000, and all employer tax obligations explained.
Get your EIN, register with Montana, set up withholding, new hire reporting — the complete checklist.
New employer rate 1.18%, experienced range 0.13%6.30%, wage base $43,000.
Montana minimum wage $10.55/hr. Montanas minimum wage is $10.55/hr, adjusted annually for inflation. No tip credit is allowed — tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage.
New employer rate 1.18%, experienced range 0.13%6.30%, wage base $43,000.
Montana minimum wage $10.55/hr. Montanas minimum wage is $10.55/hr, adjusted annually for inflation. No tip credit is allowed — tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage.
Montana flat 4.7% income tax, SUI on the first $43,000, and all employer tax obligations explained.
Get your EIN, register with Montana, set up withholding, new hire reporting — the complete checklist.
New employer rate 1.18%, experienced range 0.13%6.30%, wage base $43,000.
Montana minimum wage $10.55/hr. Montanas minimum wage is $10.55/hr, adjusted annually for inflation. No tip credit is allowed — tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage.
IRS classification rules, Montana-specific considerations, misclassification penalties.
Gusto vs Paychex vs QuickBooks vs ADP — detailed comparison for Montana small businesses.
Gusto handles payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposit automatically. Trusted by 300,000+ small businesses. Start with a free trial — no credit card required.
On Gusto’s website — Montana Payroll Guide may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Before you run payroll, you need a legal business entity. LegalZoom handles your Articles of Organization, registered agent, and operating agreement — all online. Trusted by 4M+ small business owners. Starts at $0 + state filing fees.
On LegalZoom’s website — Montana Payroll Guide may earn a commission at no cost to you.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. Employment laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements change frequently. The information on this page reflects our understanding as of the date noted above and may not reflect recent changes in federal or Montana state law. Do not act or refrain from acting based solely on the information in this article. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or HR professional familiar with Montana law before making payroll or compliance decisions for your business.