Montana Tax Extensions: Business, Personal, Information and Nonprofit Tax Returns

Corporation information

A corporation is allowed an automatic extension of time for filing its return of up to 6 months following the date prescribed for filing of its tax return. The tax, penalty, and interest must be paid when the return is filed.

The department may grant an additional extension of time for the filing of a return whenever in its judgment good cause exists.

How do I get my state extension of time to file the return?

You are not required to file any form to get this six-month extension. However, please note that interest and late payment penalty do accrue from the original due date of the return up until the date the tax is paid. If you wish to avoid any accrual of interest and late payment penalty, you can submit a tentative payment on or before the original due date of the return.

How to make the payment ( if any )?

The tentative payment must be submitted with the Form CT (Estimated Tax Coupon). A coupon is included in the Montana Corporation License Tax return booklet or one may be requested from the department. Please include on the coupon the following: a notation that the payment is attributable to Montana Corporation License Tax, the Federal Employers Identification Number (FEIN) and the tax year for which the payment is to be applied.

S corporation information tax return late filing penalty

An S corporation is charged a late filing penalty if Form CLT-4S is filed after the due date, including the automatic six-month extension. The penalty is $10 multiplied by the number of shareholders at the close of the tax year for each month or fraction of a month that the entity does not file the S corporation information tax return. This penalty is calculated for up to five months. P

A late filing penalty is not imposed on an entity that has ten or fewer shareholders if the shareholders have filed the required tax returns or other required reports timely and have paid all taxes when due.

Can the S corporation get an extension of time to file its information and composite tax return?

Yes. To receive an extension, the S corporation has to mark the extension indicator box on Form CLT-4S and include a copy of its federal extension Form 7004 with its completed Montana S corporation return. Do not send copies of the federal extension before the S corporation files its Montana S corporation return.The automatic extension to file Form CLT-4S with its supporting schedules is six months..

An extension of time to file is not an extension to pay. If the S corporation does not pay the amount of tax due by the original due date, it will owe interest and penalties on any balance due.

What are the Filing Dates?

The C-corporation license tax return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month following the end of the corporation's taxable year. C-corporations are entitled to an automatic six-month extension to file the return if they so choose. C-corporations which have an annual estimated tax of $5,000 or more are required to make quarterly estimated tax payments on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th and 12th months of their tax year.

Why should I use Express Extension?

ExpressExtension has an experienced and competent team to meet all your individual and business tax solutions. We provide a complete and easy solution to all your tax needs.

Tell me about Penalties and Interest?

If the tax is not paid on or before the due date of the return, there is assessed a penalty of 1.2% a month; the total penalty may not exceed 12% of the tax due. Interest will accrue on unpaid tax at an annual rate of 12%. (MCA 15- 31-545)

If you need extra time to file your income tax return, you do not need to apply for an extension. You are granted an automatic extension of time to file your Montana income tax return through October 15, 2025 if one of the following applies to you:

• New! Your 2025 tax liability is $200 or less. If you qualify for an extension to file your return because your 2025 tax liability is $200 or less, you also qualify for an extension of time to pay your tax due until October 15, 2025.
• You paid 90% of your 2025 Montana income tax liability through your estimated tax payments, your withholding tax, or a combination of both, by April 15, 2025;
• You paid 100% of your 2025 Montana income tax liability through your estimated tax payments, your withholding tax, or a combination of both, by April 15, 2025;
• You had no taxable income for 2025.
• You are a first time filer; or
• You had no taxable income for 2025.

Here's what you should do if you cannot file by April 15, 2025:

• You are due a refund — File your return by October 17, 2025. Choose e-file and direct deposit for the fastest refund.
• You have a balance due — Pay the amount you owe by April 15, 2025 to avoid penalties and interest. You can pay online, by credit card, or by check with the tax payment voucher located on Form EXT-12. Then file your return by October 17, 2025. Choose e-file to ensure that we receive your return on time.
• You're not sure if you have a balance due — Use the worksheet on Form EXT-12 to figure your tax.

Although the filing extension gives you more time to file your return, it doesn't give you extra time to pay the taxes you owe (unless your 2025 tax liability is $200 or less). So you must estimate how much you owe and pay the amount due.

Which form Should I use to make payment if I owe tax towards my state?

Please use the Montana Form EXT-12, 2025 Extension Payment Worksheet, to determine if you have to make an extension payment by April 15, 2025, to qualify for the automatic filing extension. You can get a copy of this form by visiting our website at

revenue.mt.gov

or calling toll free at (866) 859-2254 (in Helena, 444-6900).

What are the payment methods?

If you are required to make an extension payment, please use the tax payment voucher found on this worksheet. If paying by personal check, money order, or cashier's check, please make your check payable to the Montana Department of Revenue. Please sign your check, and write your social security number and "Tax Year 2025-EXT" on the memo line.

You can sign up to make your payment online by visiting our website at revenue.mt.gov and going to Online Services. You can pay your extension payment electronically by e-check or credit card. There is no fee for an e-check; a small fee is applied for a credit card payment.

Do I get extension of time to pay my tax?

It is important to note that any extension of time to file your Montana income tax return is not an extension of time to pay your income tax liability (unless your 2019 tax liability is $200 or less). If you have a valid Montana extension and your 2019 tax liability is more than $200 but you have not paid your entire 2019 income tax liability by April 15, 2020, you are relieved of the late file penalty but you are not relieved of late payment penalty and interest on your outstanding Montana income tax liability.

Tell me about Penalty and interest

If you do not pay the full amount of your 2019 income tax liability by April 15, 2025 and your 2019 tax liability is more than $200, you will be charged a late payment penalty. This penalty is 1.2% per month (or fraction of a month) on the unpaid tax. This penalty cannot exceed 12% of your tax due.

If you do not pay your tax liability by April 15, 2025 and your 2019 tax liability is more than $200, you will be charged interest at a rate of 8% per year, accruing daily and beginning on the due date of your return and continuing until your tax is paid.

Why should I use ExpressExtension?

ExpressExtension has an experienced and competent team to meet all your individual and business tax solutions. We provide a complete and easy solution to all your tax needs.

Mail your payment and payment voucher to the following address:

Montana Department of Revenue
PO Box 6309
Helena, MT 59604-6309

Administrative Rules of Montana: 42.15.316
Questions? Please call us toll free at (866) 859-2254 (in Helena, 444-6900).
Fax: (406) 444-6642