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LLC Costs in --

State Filing Fee --
Annual Report --
Registered Agent (est.) --
EIN (from IRS) $0.00
Total First-Year Cost --
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LLC Filing Fees. All 50 States

Below is a sortable reference of LLC formation costs across all US states. Click a state to see the full cost breakdown above.

State ↕ Filing Fee ↕ Annual Cost ↕
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What's Included in LLC Formation Costs

The state filing fee is the mandatory cost to file your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This is a one-time cost. Most states charge between $50 and $200.

Annual report fees are ongoing. Most states require you to file an annual or biennial report to keep your LLC in good standing. Missing this deadline can result in administrative dissolution of your LLC. Set a calendar reminder.

A registered agent is required in all 50 states. This is the person or service authorized to receive legal documents on behalf of your LLC. You can be your own agent (free) or hire a service ($50-$300/year). Formation services like ZenBusiness and LegalZoom often include the first year of registered agent service in their packages.

Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) is free from the IRS. You need it to open a business bank account and file taxes. Apply online at irs.gov. it takes about 5 minutes.

Note: Filing fees and annual costs shown here are based on publicly available data from state Secretary of State offices and may change without notice. This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Verify all fees with your state filing office before submitting any paperwork. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions about forming a business entity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest state to form an LLC?
Kentucky ($40), Arkansas ($45), and Arizona ($50) have the lowest filing fees. But forming in a cheaper state when you operate in another often means paying filing fees in both states (foreign LLC registration). Form where you do business.
Do I need a registered agent?
Yes. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state of formation. You can serve as your own, but using a service keeps your address off public records and ensures you never miss legal notices.
Should I use a formation service or file myself?
Filing yourself saves $0-$200 in service fees but requires you to correctly prepare Articles of Organization, obtain an EIN, draft an operating agreement, and track compliance deadlines. Formation services handle all of this and typically cost $0-$199 plus state fees.
Why is California so expensive?
California charges an $800 annual franchise tax regardless of income. This is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after formation, and annually thereafter. It's one of the highest recurring LLC costs in the US.

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