15-31-101. Organizations subject to tax. (1) The term "corporation" includes associations, joint-stock companies, common-law trusts and business trusts which do business in an organized capacity, and all other corporations whether created, organized, or existing under and pursuant to the laws, agreements, or declarations of trust of any state, country, or the United States.
     (2) The terms "engaged in business" and "doing business" both mean actively engaging in any transaction for the purpose of financial or pecuniary gain or profit.
     (3) Except as provided in 15-31-103 or 33-2-705(4) or as may be otherwise specifically provided, every corporation engaged in business in the state of Montana shall annually pay to the state treasurer as a license fee for the privilege of carrying on business in this state the percentage or percentages of its total net income for the preceding taxable year at the rate set forth in this chapter. In the case of corporations having income from business activity which is taxable both within and outside of this state, the license fee must be measured by the net income derived from or attributable to Montana sources as determined under part 3. Except as provided in 15-31-502, this tax is due and payable on the 15th day of the 5th month following the close of the taxable year of the corporation. However, the tax becomes a lien as provided in this chapter on the last day of the taxable year in which the income was earned and is for the privilege of carrying on business in this state for the taxable year in which the income was earned.
     (4) Every bank organized under the laws of the state of Montana, of any other state, or of the United States and every savings and loan association organized under the laws of this state or of the United States is subject to the Montana corporation license tax provided for under this chapter. A foreign capital depository chartered under the laws of Montana is not subject to the Montana corporation license tax provided for under this chapter until October 1, 2012. For taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 1972, this subsection is effective in accordance with Public Law 91-156, section 2 (12 U.S.C. 548).

     History: (1), (3)En. Sec. 1, Ch. 79, L. 1917; Subd. 16, amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 64, L. 1921; re-en. Sec. 2296, R.C.M. 1921; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 166, L. 1933; re-en. Sec. 2296, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 29, L. 1937; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 92, L. 1937; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 232, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 264, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 155, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 269, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 4, Ex. L. 1967; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 11, Ex. L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 16, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 333, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 5, Ex. L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 7, 2nd Ex. L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 468, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 484, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 5, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 257, L. 1977; Sec. 84-1501, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 4, Ch. 79, L. 1917; re-en. Sec. 2299, R.C.M. 1921; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 146, L. 1923; re-en. Sec. 2299, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 165, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 235, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 186, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 372, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 56, Ch. 516, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 161, L. 1975; Sec. 84-1504, R.C.M. 1947; (4)En. Secs. 1, 3, Ch. 23, L. 1971; Secs. 84-1501.6, 84-1501.7, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 84-1501(part), 84-1501.6(part), 84-1501.7(part), 84-1504(part); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 634, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 664, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 622, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 659, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 9, Sp. L. June 1989; amd. Sec. 69, Ch. 382, L. 1997.