The cost to form an LLC varies significantly depending on the state where you register your business.
Some states charge less than $50 to create a limited liability company. Others require several hundred dollars in initial filings. And the formation fee is only part of the cost: depending on the state, an LLC may also face annual reports, biennial reports, franchise taxes, registration fees, business-license fees, or other recurring requirements.
Some states charge less than $50 to create a limited liability company. Others require several hundred dollars in initial filings. And the formation fee is only part of the cost: depending on the state, an LLC may also face annual reports, biennial reports, franchise taxes, registration fees, business-license fees, or other recurring requirements.
This StartupWerx guide compares LLC formation costs across all 50 states and highlights important recurring state requirements that can affect the long-term cost of maintaining an LLC.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Important: State fees and requirements change. The amounts below focus on standard domestic LLC filings and common state-level recurring requirements. They generally exclude optional expedited processing, certified copies, commercial registered-agent services, local licenses, professional licensing, payment-processing fees, and taxes that depend on an individual business’s circumstances. Verify current requirements with the applicable state agency before filing.
LLC Filing Fees by State: 2026 Comparison
| State | Standard Formation Cost | Common Recurring State Requirement | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $200 | Business Privilege Tax requirements may apply | Annual tax cycle |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 biennial report | Biennial |
| Arizona | $50 | No LLC annual report | — |
| Arkansas | $45 online / $50 paper | $150 franchise tax | Annual |
| California | $70 | $20 Statement of Information; $800 annual LLC tax generally applies | Biennial / Annual |
| Colorado | $50 | $25 periodic report | Annual |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80 annual report | Annual |
| Delaware | $110 | $300 annual LLC tax | Annual |
| Florida | $125 required formation charges | $138.75 annual report | Annual |
| Georgia | $110 | $60 annual registration | Annual |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15 annual report | Annual |
| Idaho | $100 | Annual report; no standard report fee | Annual |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 annual report | Annual |
| Indiana | Filing method affects cost | $32 online business entity report | Biennial |
| Iowa | $50 | $30 online biennial report | Biennial |
| Kansas | $75 base LLC formation charge plus applicable filing/service charges | Biennial information report | Biennial |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 annual report | Annual |
| Louisiana | $100 | $30 annual report | Annual |
| Maine | $175 | $85 annual report | Annual |
| Maryland | $100 | Annual report and applicable tax/compliance obligations | Annual |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500 annual report | Annual |
| Michigan | $50 | $25 annual statement | Annual |
| Minnesota | $135 by mail / $155 online | Annual renewal; no standard renewal fee | Annual |
| Mississippi | $50 | Annual report; no standard report fee | Annual |
| Missouri | $50 online / $105 paper | No LLC annual report | — |
| Montana | $35 | Annual report fee waived when timely; $35 after deadline | Annual |
| Nebraska | Filing method affects cost | Biennial report | Biennial |
| Nevada | Multiple initial state filings apply | Annual list plus $200 state business-license renewal | Annual |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 annual report | Annual |
| New Jersey | $100 | $75 annual report | Annual |
| New Mexico | $50 | No regular LLC annual report | — |
| New York | $200 | $9 biennial statement | Biennial |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200 annual report | Annual |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 annual report | Annual |
| Ohio | $99 | No regular LLC annual report | — |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $25 annual certificate | Annual |
| Oregon | $100 | $100 annual report | Annual |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $7 annual report | Annual |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $50 annual report | Annual |
| South Carolina | $110 | No standard recurring LLC annual report for many LLCs | — |
| South Dakota | $150 online | $55 online annual report | Annual |
| Tennessee | $300 minimum | $300 minimum annual report | Annual |
| Texas | $300 | Franchise-tax information/reporting requirements may apply | Annual tax cycle |
| Utah | State filing fee applies | $18 renewal under published fee schedule | Annual |
| Vermont | $155 | $45 annual report | Annual |
| Virginia | $100 | $50 annual registration fee | Annual |
| Washington | $180 | $70 annual report | Annual |
| West Virginia | $100 | $25 annual report | Annual |
| Wisconsin | Filing method affects cost | Annual report fee applies | Annual |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 minimum annual license tax | Annual |
Note: A recurring requirement is not necessarily an “annual report fee.” Some states impose taxes, business-license charges, renewals, or other requirements instead. Those differences matter when comparing the true cost of maintaining an LLC.
Ready to Start Your LLC?
Knowing your state’s filing cost is an important first step. StartupWerx can help you move from research to formation and get your business started.
What Does It Cost to Form an LLC?
The LLC formation fee is the state filing charge required to legally create your limited liability company.
Depending on the state, the formation document may be called:
- Articles of Organization
- Certificate of Organization
- Certificate of Formation
Although the terminology varies, these documents generally perform the same basic function: establishing the LLC as a legal entity under state law.
If you’re unfamiliar with the filing itself, read StartupWerx’s Articles of Organization Explained.
The state filing fee isn’t necessarily the total amount you will spend to launch the business. Other costs can include registered-agent services, business licenses and permits, assumed-name or DBA registrations, professional licenses, local registrations, business insurance, tax registrations, and industry-specific requirements.
For the complete formation process, see How to Start an LLC.
The Cheapest State Isn’t Necessarily the Cheapest Place to Form Your LLC
It’s easy to look at a table of LLC fees and conclude that you should simply form your company in the state with the lowest filing fee.
For most small-business owners, the more useful question is:
Where will the business actually operate?
Forming an LLC in a state with a low filing fee doesn’t automatically eliminate registration requirements in the state where you actually conduct business.
If your LLC is formed in one state but does business in another, you may need to register as a foreign LLC in the second state. That can mean another registration, another filing fee, another registered agent, additional reporting requirements, additional state compliance, and potentially additional taxes or fees.
For many locally operated small businesses, forming the LLC in the state where the company actually operates is considerably simpler than choosing a jurisdiction based solely on a low filing fee.
States With No Regular LLC Annual Report
Several states do not require the traditional annual report that LLC owners encounter elsewhere. Examples include:
- Arizona
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- Ohio
Other states require an annual renewal or report but may not charge a standard fee when it is filed on time.
No annual-report fee does not mean no ongoing business obligations.
An LLC may still have state or local taxes, sales-tax filings, employer requirements, registered-agent requirements, business licenses, industry-specific licenses, or other compliance obligations.
States Where Ongoing Costs Deserve Extra Attention
Initial formation cost tells only part of the story.
California
California charges $70 to file LLC Articles of Organization and $20 for its Statement of Information, which is generally due initially and then every two years.
California LLCs also generally face an $800 annual LLC tax, with additional LLC fees potentially applying at higher levels of California income.
Delaware
Delaware is a good example of why an “annual report fee” comparison can be misleading.
Delaware LLCs generally do not file an annual report, but they do pay a $300 annual tax.
A comparison that lists Delaware as having a $0 annual report without explaining the $300 tax substantially understates its ongoing cost.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has one of the higher basic filing structures for LLCs, with a $500 Certificate of Organization and $500 annual report.
Nevada
Nevada requires more than the basic formation document.
In addition to formation-related filings, Nevada LLCs generally must maintain a state business license. The Nevada Secretary of State currently lists the annual state business-license renewal at $200 for business entity types other than corporations.
That makes Nevada a good example of why entrepreneurs should compare the total required state filings, not simply the price of the Articles of Organization.
Tennessee
Tennessee’s LLC filing structure is unusual because the fee depends on the number of members, subject to a minimum.
The Tennessee Secretary of State lists a $300 minimum for domestic LLC Articles of Organization.
Filing Fee vs. Annual Report vs. Franchise Tax
These terms are frequently mixed together in LLC cost comparisons, but they aren’t interchangeable.
Formation Fee
A formation fee is normally a one-time state charge associated with creating the LLC.
Annual or Biennial Report
An annual or biennial report keeps information about the company current with the state. Depending on the jurisdiction, it may update the business address, registered agent, members or managers, and contact information.
Franchise or Entity-Level Tax
Some states impose a separate tax associated with maintaining or doing business through the entity.
California, Delaware, Texas, Arkansas and other states illustrate why taxes should not simply be labeled “annual report fees.”
Business Licenses
Business licenses are separate from LLC formation.
Licensing requirements can come from states, counties, cities and specialized regulatory agencies.
Before launching, review StartupWerx’s Business Licenses and Permits Explained.
Five State Examples
Arizona
Arizona’s standard Articles of Organization filing fee is $50, and Arizona LLCs are not required to file annual reports.
That can make Arizona’s basic entity-maintenance structure relatively simple, although taxes, licenses and other business requirements can still apply.
Florida
Florida provides a useful example of why we distinguish between the base filing fee and required formation cost.
The Florida Division of Corporations currently lists:
- $100 required LLC filing fee
- $25 required registered-agent fee
- $125 total required formation charges
The state’s LLC annual report fee is currently $138.75.
Official source: Florida Division of Corporations — LLC Fees
New York
New York charges $200 to file Articles of Organization and $9 for the LLC’s biennial statement.
However, New York LLCs can also be subject to a separate publication requirement, which can materially increase startup costs depending on where the LLC is located.
Official source: New York Department of State — LLC Formation
Texas
Texas charges $300 to file a Certificate of Formation for an LLC.
Texas LLCs are also subject to the state’s franchise-tax system.
For the 2026 report year, the Texas Comptroller lists a $2.65 million no-tax-due threshold. Entities at or below the threshold generally do not file a No Tax Due Report, although applicable information-report requirements remain.
Official sources:
Texas Secretary of State — LLC Certificate of Formation
Texas Comptroller — Franchise Tax
Washington
Washington currently charges $180 for a domestic LLC Certificate of Formation.
For-profit entities, including LLCs, currently pay $70 for the annual report.
Official sources:
Washington Secretary of State — LLC Filing Resource
Washington Secretary of State — Annual Reports
Don’t Choose a State Based on Filing Fees Alone
State filing costs should be part of your decision—not the entire decision.
Before choosing where to form your LLC, consider where the business will actually operate, whether foreign qualification will be required, annual or biennial filings, state and local taxes, registered-agent requirements, business licenses and permits, industry-specific regulation, employer requirements, and administrative complexity.
Saving $50 on an initial filing may provide little benefit if the structure creates hundreds of dollars in additional registration and compliance costs.
If you’re still deciding whether an LLC is the right structure, start with How to Start an LLC.
LLC Cost Examples From Official State Sources
Because state requirements change, StartupWerx prioritizes official government sources when maintaining this guide.
Examples include:
- Alaska: The Alaska Division of Corporations lists a $100 LLC biennial report fee.
- California: The California Secretary of State lists $70 for Articles of Organization and $20 for the Statement of Information.
- Florida: The Florida Division of Corporations lists $125 in required new-LLC formation charges and $138.75 for the LLC annual report.
- Michigan: Michigan lists a $25 annual statement fee for LLCs.
- Missouri: The Missouri Secretary of State confirms LLCs do not file annual reports and currently lists online Articles of Organization at $50.
- Montana: Montana currently lists $35 for Articles of Organization and waives the annual-report fee when filed before the deadline.
- New Hampshire: The Secretary of State lists $100 for an LLC Certificate of Formation and $100 for the annual report.
- New Jersey: New Jersey currently lists $100 for the Certificate of Formation and $75 for the annual report.
- North Carolina: North Carolina lists $125 for Articles of Organization and $200 for the annual report.
- North Dakota: North Dakota lists $135 for LLC registration and $50 for the annual report.
- Oregon: Oregon charges $100 to form a domestic LLC and $100 for the annual report.
- Texas: Texas charges $300 for the LLC Certificate of Formation.
- Virginia: Virginia charges $100 to form a domestic LLC.
- Washington: Washington charges $180 for the Certificate of Formation and $70 for the annual report.
- West Virginia: West Virginia lists a $100 LLC registration fee and $25 annual report.
- Wyoming: Wyoming’s annual license tax has a $60 minimum.
Why StartupWerx Separates Filing Fees From Taxes
You’ll find plenty of online lists claiming to show the “cost of an LLC in every state.”
The problem is that LLC costs aren’t structured consistently across states.
For example:
Delaware: No LLC annual report, but a $300 annual LLC tax.
California: $20 Statement of Information every two years, plus a generally applicable $800 annual LLC tax.
Texas: Rather than a conventional Secretary of State annual LLC report fee, Texas uses a franchise-tax and information-reporting system.
Nevada: LLCs face an annual list requirement as well as the state business-license requirement.
Simply placing one number under “annual fee” can therefore give entrepreneurs the wrong impression.
StartupWerx separates the major requirements whenever practical so you can better understand what you’re actually paying for.
Methodology
StartupWerx compares standard state-level costs for forming and maintaining a domestic limited liability company.
We distinguish among four types of expenses:
1. Formation filing fees — Required state charges associated with creating the LLC.
2. Recurring reports and registrations — Annual, biennial or periodic filings required to keep company information current.
3. Entity-level taxes and license charges — Taxes or state business-license requirements that materially affect the ongoing cost of maintaining the LLC.
4. Optional expenses — Expedited service, certified copies, commercial registered-agent services and similar optional expenses are generally excluded from the formation-fee comparison.
Where online and paper filing fees differ, the filing method is identified when practical.
State requirements change, so entrepreneurs should verify fees immediately before filing.
Official Resources
The following government resources are useful starting points for verifying LLC requirements:
- Alabama Department of Revenue — Business Privilege Tax
- Alaska Division of Corporations — Forms & Fees
- California Secretary of State — LLC Fees
- Florida Division of Corporations — LLC Fees
- Kansas Secretary of State
- Michigan Corporations Division
- Missouri Secretary of State — Business Services
- Montana Secretary of State — Business Fees
- Nevada Secretary of State — State Business License
- New Hampshire Secretary of State — LLC Forms & Fees
- New Jersey Division of Revenue — Fees
- New York Department of State — LLC Formation
- North Carolina Secretary of State — LLC Fees
- North Dakota Secretary of State — LLC
- Ohio Secretary of State — LLC Articles of Organization
- Oregon Secretary of State — Start a Business
- Tennessee Secretary of State — Business Forms & Fees
- Texas Secretary of State — LLC Certificate of Formation
- Texas Comptroller — Franchise Tax
- Utah Division of Corporations
- Virginia State Corporation Commission
- Washington Secretary of State — LLC Filing Resource
- Washington Secretary of State — Annual Reports
- West Virginia Secretary of State
- Wyoming Secretary of State
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC?
The cost depends on the state. State formation fees range substantially, and some states require additional filings, taxes, licenses, or registrations.
The filing fee is therefore only one component of the total cost of starting an LLC.
What is the cheapest state to form an LLC?
Several states have relatively low initial filing fees, but the lowest formation fee doesn’t necessarily make a state the least expensive place to operate your LLC.
Where you conduct business, foreign-registration requirements, recurring fees, taxes and licensing requirements can matter more than a small difference in the initial filing fee.
Is there a yearly fee for an LLC?
It depends on the state. Some states charge annual report fees. Others use biennial reports, annual taxes, license taxes, registrations, or other systems.
Some states don’t require a traditional LLC annual report at all.
Which states don’t require an LLC annual report?
Examples include Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico and Ohio.
Requirements can change, so verify the current rules with the applicable state agency.
Does forming an LLC in a cheaper state save money?
Not necessarily. If you form your LLC in one state but operate in another, you may need to register the LLC as a foreign entity in the state where you’re actually doing business.
That can create additional filing fees and compliance obligations.
Does the LLC filing fee include a registered agent?
Generally, no. State filing fees and the cost of hiring a commercial registered-agent service are separate expenses.
Some state filing structures include specific registered-agent-related government charges. Florida, for example, currently includes a required $25 registered-agent fee as part of the $125 required cost for a new LLC filing.
Do I need an EIN after forming my LLC?
Many LLCs obtain an Employer Identification Number from the IRS, particularly when hiring employees, opening certain business bank accounts, or meeting tax requirements.
Read How to Get an EIN for more information.
Is forming the LLC all I need to do to start operating?
No. Depending on the business and location, you may also need licenses, permits, tax registrations, insurance and other approvals.
See Business Licenses and Permits Explained before launching.
Continue Building Your Business
LLC formation is one step in a much larger entrepreneurial journey.
StartupWerx’s Form, Manage, and Grow a Small Business guide connects business formation with the planning, financial, operational and growth decisions that come next.
You can also continue with:
- How to Start an LLC
- Articles of Organization Explained
- Business Licenses and Permits Explained
- How to Get an EIN
- How to Write a Business Plan
Ready to Form Your Business?
You’ve compared the costs. Now you can take the next step toward making your business official.
StartupWerx helps entrepreneurs move from business idea to formation with practical guidance and tools designed to simplify the process.
Still Exploring Business Ideas?
You don’t have to know exactly what business you want to build before getting started.
Use StartupWerx to explore business ideas and find opportunities that fit your interests, experience and goals.