LLC costs at a glance
Looking for a quick summary of what it costs to set up an LLC? Fees vary between states, so check the details for your state in the table below. If you’d rather not handle the filings yourself, Tailor Brands can form your LLC for you.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $35–$500, depending on the state |
| Annual or biennial report | $0–$500 a year in most states |
| Annual state taxes | $0 in most states; for example, $150 in Arkansas, $400 in Delaware and Rhode Island, $800 minimum in California |
| Registered agent service | $50–$300 a year (Tailor Brands: $199 a year), or free if you act as your own |
| Business licenses and permits | Usually $10–$1,000, depending on your state, city and industry |
| DBA (optional) | $10–$200 per name |
| Operating agreement | $0 if you write it yourself, up to $1,000 or more with an attorney |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10–$100 |
| EIN | Free from the IRS |
LLC costs by state
LLC costs vary from state to state. Some are optional, like reserving your business name or paying for expedited processing, while others are unavoidable, such as the state filing fee and annual reports.
The fees below are updated for 2026, and we update them as soon as states announce changes. Always check your state’s current fee schedule before filing, since it takes precedence over anything listed here. Additional fees are the other charges you may pay when you file, such as online card or service fees, expedited processing, copies and newspaper publication.
| State | State filing fee | Additional fees | Ongoing state fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $200 | $11 processing fee $25 name reservation (required) | No annual report Business Privilege Tax: $0 if it works out to $100 or less |
| Alaska | $250 | None | Biennial report: $100 |
| Arizona | $50 | $35 expedited processing Publication, if your statutory agent is outside Maricopa and Pima counties | No annual report |
| Arkansas | $45 | None | Annual franchise tax report: $150 |
| California | $70 | $5 certified copy | Statement of Information: $20 every 2 years Annual franchise tax: $800 minimum |
| Colorado | $50 | None | Periodic report: $25 |
| Connecticut | $120 | None | Annual report: $80 |
| Delaware | $110 | $50 expedited (24-hour) filing | No annual report Annual LLC tax: $400 (from tax year 2026) |
| District of Columbia | $99 | None | Biennial report: $300 Franchise tax: $250 minimum, if gross receipts are over $12,000 |
| Florida | $125 | None | Annual report: $138.75 |
| Georgia | $100 | $10 state service charge | Annual registration: $60 |
| Hawaii | $50 | $1 State Archives fee | Annual report: $12.50 online |
| Idaho | $100 | None | Annual report: $0 |
| Illinois | $150 | $3.38 processing fee | Annual report: $75 |
| Indiana | $95 | $2.04 card processing fee | Business entity report: $32 every 2 years |
| Iowa | $50 | None | Biennial report: $30 online |
| Kansas | $85 | None | Biennial information report: $90 online |
| Kentucky | $40 | None | Annual report: $15 Limited liability entity tax: $175 minimum |
| Louisiana | $125 | $5 card convenience fee | Annual report: $35 |
| Maine | $175 (paper filing only) | $50 24-hour expedite $26 shipping $3 document download | Annual report: $85 |
| Maryland | $100 | $50 expedited processing $4.50 card processing fee | Annual report: $300 |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $20 online filing fee | Annual report: $500 ($520 online) |
| Michigan | $50 | None | Annual statement: $25 |
| Minnesota | $155 | None | Annual renewal: $0 |
| Mississippi | $50 | $3.14 online payment fee | Annual report: $0 |
| Missouri | $50 | $1.25 card processing fee | No annual report |
| Montana | $35 | None | Annual report: $0 if filed by April 15 (through 2027), $35 after |
| Nebraska | $100 | $3 online filing service fee Newspaper publication: about $40–$250 $25 proof of publication | Biennial report: $25 online |
| Nevada | $425 ($75 Articles + $150 Initial List + $200 State Business License) | $10.63 online processing fee | Annual list and business license: $350 |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $5 certified copy $2 online payment fee | Annual report: $102 online |
| New Jersey | $100 | $3.50 card processing fee | Annual report: $75 |
| New Mexico | $50 | $1.95 card convenience fee | No annual report |
| New York | $200 | $5 copy of filed Articles Newspaper publication: about $100–$2,000+ $50 Certificate of Publication | Biennial statement: $9 Annual filing fee: $25–$4,500, based on income |
| North Carolina | $125 | $3 online card fee | Annual report: $200 |
| North Dakota | $135 | None | Annual report: $50 |
| Ohio | $99 | None | No annual report |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $4 card service charge | Annual certificate: $25 |
| Oregon | $100 | None | Annual report: $100 |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | None | Annual report: $7 |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $6 online filing fee | Annual report: $50 Annual charge (Division of Taxation): $400 |
| South Carolina | $110 | $15 Electronic Records Access fee | No annual report |
| South Dakota | $150 | None | Annual report: $55 online |
| Tennessee | $300 ($50 per member, $3,000 maximum) | $7.50 online service fee | Annual report: $300–$3,000 ($50 per member) Franchise and excise taxes |
| Texas | $300 | None | Public Information Report: $0 Franchise tax: $0 below $2.65 million in revenue |
| Utah | $59 | None | Annual renewal: $18 |
| Vermont | $155 | None | Annual report: $45 |
| Virginia | $100 | None | Annual registration fee: $50 |
| Washington | $180 | $20 online processing fee | Annual report: $70 |
| West Virginia | $100 | $1 online processing fee | Annual report: $25 |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $1 processing fee | Annual report: $25 online |
| Wyoming | $100 | $3.75 processing fee | Annual report (license tax): $60 minimum |
LLC formation costs
There are 3 ways to set up your LLC, all with different price tags.
LLC setup options
1. Do it yourself: It’s your cheapest immediate option, but the paperwork and filing procedures can be challenging to navigate.
2. Hire a lawyer: If you’ve got the budget, you can pay a lawyer to do it for you; fees typically range from $1,000 to $1,500.
3. Use an LLC formation service: LLC formation services provide a middle ground, forming your LLC for as little as $0 plus the state fees.
Now let’s look at the costs every LLC pays.
LLC filing fees
The first cost is registering your LLC as a legal business entity by filing Articles of Organization with your secretary of state. Some states call it a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization, but they all do the same thing: legally create your LLC.
It’s a one-time filing, and the fee is paid to your state. You can usually download the form for free from your secretary of state’s website.
Many states add a small fee when you file and pay online, such as a card processing or online service fee. You can see these in the table above.
If you register your LLC in a state other than the one where you formed it, as a foreign LLC, the filing fee is usually higher. We list foreign LLC fees on each state’s LLC cost page.
State filing fees
State filing fees range from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts ($520 with the online filing fee). In most states you can pay online, by mail or in person; Maine is the only state that doesn’t offer online formation filing. Formation times vary by state, so factor in expedited fees if you’re in a rush.
Before you file, make sure your LLC name is available with a business entity search. If your name is taken, the state can reject your filing, and filing fees are usually non-refundable.
Publication fees
A few states require a new LLC to announce its formation in a local newspaper:
- New York: publish in one daily and one weekly newspaper for 6 weeks, then file a Certificate of Publication ($50). Costs run from about $100 to more than $2,000, depending on the county.
- Nebraska: publish a notice for 3 weeks in a row, usually about $40 to $250, then file proof of publication ($25 online).
- Arizona: publish only if your statutory agent’s address is outside Maricopa and Pima counties.
LLC business licenses and permits
Whether you’re selling hot dogs or pharmaceuticals, most businesses need licenses and permits to operate.
License and permit requirements depend on 2 things:
1. Your location: Each state, county or city may have its own licensing and permit requirements.
2. Your industry: You might need state or federal licenses to sell or provide certain products or services.
Licenses you might need and general costs
- Sales tax permit: free in most states, though some charge a fee (for example, $50 in Arkansas and Ohio, $100 in Connecticut)
- General business license: usually $20 to $500, depending on the state or city
- Industry-specific licenses: from about $50 to several thousand dollars, depending on your industry
- Certificate of occupancy: often around $100, depending on the property’s location and size
Beyond these, plan for your ongoing costs while you wait to turn a profit, so you don’t run out of funds.
Ongoing LLC costs
Once your LLC is up and running, check with your state to see which licenses you need to renew, which reports you need to file and which taxes you owe.
Fortunately, most ongoing LLC costs don’t break the bank.
Business license renewal fees
Most states don’t require a business license to form an LLC, but you may need one to operate. Licenses show you’re approved to do business in your jurisdiction, and most need to be renewed every year or two. Renewal costs depend on your state, city and industry.
Annual reports
An annual report (called a periodic report, annual statement or statement of information in some states) keeps your LLC’s details up to date with the state, such as your address, registered agent and members or managers.
Filing it on time keeps your LLC in good standing. Miss it, and your state may charge a late fee and eventually dissolve or revoke your LLC.
Most states require a report every year, some every 2 years (a biennial report), and a few, such as Arizona, Missouri, Ohio and South Carolina, require none. Fees range from $0 to $500 in most states.
Some states send a reminder before the deadline. If yours doesn’t, or you’d rather not track it, you can use an annual report filing service.
Franchise and other annual taxes
A few states charge LLCs an annual franchise tax or a similar fee, whether or not the business makes a profit.
Examples include Arkansas ($150), Delaware ($400 from tax year 2026), Rhode Island ($400) and California ($800 minimum). Other states, such as Texas and Tennessee, base the tax on revenue or net worth, and many states have none at all. Not paying can lead to penalties and, eventually, the loss of your LLC’s good standing.
You’ll also owe federal and state income taxes on your LLC’s profits. Read our guide to LLC taxes.
Optional LLC costs
Some LLC costs are like extras at checkout. You might not need some at all, others can make running your LLC easier, and a few are essential.
Registered agent
A registered agent is the person or business that accepts legal papers and official notices on your LLC’s behalf. Every state requires your LLC to have one, with a street address in the state where someone can accept papers during business hours.
You can be your own registered agent for free, or name someone you trust. A registered agent service makes sense if you work from home and don’t want your address on the public record, or if you’re not always available. Services typically cost $50 to $300 a year; Tailor Brands’ registered agent service is $199 a year.
Operating agreements
An operating agreement sets out how your LLC is run, including its ownership, management responsibilities and how profits and losses are allocated.
Most states don’t require a written operating agreement, but a few do, such as New York. It isn’t filed with the state; you keep it with your records. Even where it’s optional, it’s worth having:
- Single-member LLCs: it helps show your LLC is separate from you, which supports your liability protection.
- Multi-member LLCs: if members disagree, it’s the document everyone can rely on.
Your options and costs:
1. Write it yourself: free.
2. Use a template: free to about $200 online.
3. Hire a lawyer: usually a few hundred dollars for a simple single-member agreement, and $1,000 or more for a multi-member LLC with a complex structure.
4. Use a formation service: Tailor Brands can prepare your operating agreement as part of forming your LLC.
Applying for an EIN
You need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to hire employees and, in most cases, to open a business bank account. LLCs with more than one member need one too.
EINs are free from the IRS. Some companies charge to apply for you, but you can apply online yourself in a few minutes.
Reserving your LLC name
You don’t have to reserve your LLC name before filing your Articles of Organization.
But if you’ve found the perfect name and aren’t ready to form your LLC, most states let you reserve it with the secretary of state for 60 to 180 days. It usually costs $10 to $100, depending on the state.
Filing a DBA (doing business as)
You don’t have to trade under your LLC’s legal name. You can register a DBA, also called an assumed or fictitious business name, if your LLC’s name doesn’t suit your branding or you’d rather not include “LLC”.
Depending on the state, you file a DBA with the secretary of state or your county, and a few states also require you to publish a notice in a local newspaper. Fees usually range from $10 to $200.
Conclusion
Forming an LLC involves several fees, but how much you pay depends on your state and the licenses your business needs.
Many small business owners find the costs worth it for the protection and credibility an LLC provides. Now that you know what to budget for, you’re one step closer to forming your LLC.
FAQ
State filing fees range from $35 to $500, depending on the state. You may also pay small online filing fees, a registered agent service if you don’t act as your own, and business license fees.
Your state’s filing fee, any online or expedited processing fees, whether you use a formation service or registered agent service, and the licenses your business needs.
Yes. Most states require an annual or biennial report, with fees from $0 to $500 in most states, and a few states also charge an annual franchise tax or fee. You may also need to renew business licenses.
Yes. Most LLC owners pay themselves through owner’s draws or, in multi-member LLCs, guaranteed payments. If your LLC elects to be taxed as an S corporation or C corporation, you can pay yourself a salary as an employee.
It can. By default, an LLC’s profits pass through to the owners’ personal tax returns, and you can elect to have it taxed as an S corporation or C corporation instead. A CPA can help you choose the best option for your business.
Usually, yes. A foreign LLC is one registered to do business in a state other than the one where it was formed, and most states charge more to register a foreign LLC than to form a new one there.