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How Much Does an LLC Cost? Every Fee Explained (2026)
How much does an LLC cost? Less than most people think to start, but the yearly fees are what really matter. Here is every cost, one-time and yearly, so you can budget before you file.
An LLC costs a one-time state filing fee that depends on the state, plus yearly state fees of $0 to $800 and a registered agent. The EIN from the IRS is free. With LLCPronto, the first year is all-in from $190 in New Mexico or $199 in Wyoming, including the state fee, registered agent, EIN and US mailing address.
LLC Cost Breakdown
| Cost | When you pay | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (Articles of Organization) | Once, when you form | Depends on the state; included in our package price |
| Annual report or state tax | Every year (some states every two years) | $0 in New Mexico up to $800 in California |
| Registered agent | Every year | About $50 to $300 from a service, or $0 if you have your own street address in the state |
| EIN (federal tax ID) | Once | Free from the IRS |
| Operating agreement | Once | Free template, or included by your formation service |
| Business licenses | Depends on city and state | Varies; many online businesses need none |
| Publication requirement | Once, only in a few states | New York can cost hundreds of dollars or more |
| Form 5472 (foreign-owned single-member LLC) | Every year | No IRS fee, but a $25,000 penalty if you miss it |
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Popular States?
| State | Yearly state cost | First-year package (all-in) |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $0, no annual report | $190 |
| Wyoming | $60 annual report for most small LLCs | $199 |
| Delaware | $400 annual LLC tax | $274 |
| Texas | $0 franchise tax for most small LLCs, report still required | $450 |
| Florida | $138.75 annual report | $299 |
| California | $800 minimum franchise tax, plus $20 Statement of Information every two years | $234 |
Packages include the state filing fee, registered agent, EIN and US mailing address for the first year. For all 50 states, see LLC cost by state.
How Much Does an LLC Cost per Year?
After the first year, an LLC usually has three running costs:
- The state’s yearly filing: from $0 (New Mexico, Arizona, Ohio, Missouri) to $800 (California). See the annual report fee for every state.
- Registered agent renewal: required in every state.
- Tax filings: a US-owned single-member LLC reports on the owner’s tax return; a foreign-owned single-member LLC files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even with no income.
For a non-US owner in New Mexico, the yearly state cost can be $0, which makes it the cheapest LLC to keep.
How Much Does an LLC Cost for Non-US Residents?
Founders outside the US pay the same state fees as anyone else. The extra pieces are practical: an EIN without an SSN, a US mailing address that banks and Stripe accept, and the yearly Form 5472. That is why we include the state fee, registered agent, EIN and US mailing address in one first-year price, from $190 in New Mexico.
Hidden LLC Costs to Watch For
- A low headline price with the state fee added at checkout
- A registered agent that is free in year one but expensive from year two
- Paid “expedited” filing you do not need
- Automatic yearly subscriptions you did not plan for
- Late fees for a missed annual report, such as Florida’s $400 late fee
How to Keep Your LLC Costs Low
- Pick a state with a low yearly fee if you can choose your state
- Compare the full first-year price, not the formation fee alone
- File your annual report on time to avoid late fees
- Keep your registered agent active, so you never miss state mail
- Close an LLC you no longer use instead of paying for it every year
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Each State?
The all-in first-year package and the yearly state filing for every state. The package includes the state filing fee, registered agent, EIN and US mailing address:
| State | First-year package (all-in) | Yearly state filing |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $403 | Annual report + business privilege tax |
| Alaska | $414 | Biennial report, every 2 years |
| Arizona | $216 | No annual report |
| Arkansas | $209 | Annual franchise tax report |
| California | $234 | $800 yearly franchise tax |
| Colorado | $214 | Periodic report $25 |
| Connecticut | $284 | Annual report |
| Delaware | $274 | $400 annual tax by June 1 |
| Florida | $299 | Annual report $138.75 by May 1 |
| Georgia | $274 | Annual registration $60 by April 1 |
| Hawaii | $218 | Annual report |
| Idaho | $268 | Annual report |
| Illinois | $320 | Annual report |
| Indiana | $262 | Business entity report, every 2 years |
| Iowa | $214 | Biennial report, odd-numbered years |
| Kansas | $324 | Annual report |
| Kentucky | $204 | Annual report |
| Louisiana | $294 | Annual report |
| Maine | $339 | Annual report |
| Maryland | $269 | Annual report + personal property return |
| Massachusetts | $664 | Annual report |
| Michigan | $214 | Annual statement |
| Minnesota | $319 | Annual renewal |
| Mississippi | $218 | Annual report |
| Missouri | $216 | No annual report required |
| Montana | $199 | Annual report by April 15 |
| Nebraska | $267 | Biennial report, odd years + newspaper publication requirement |
| Nevada | $600 | $350 every year |
| New Hampshire | $266 | Annual report |
| New Jersey | $268 | Annual report |
| New Mexico | $190 | No annual report |
| New York | $364 | $9 biennial statement |
| North Carolina | $292 | Annual report $200 by April 15 |
| North Dakota | $299 | Annual report |
| Ohio | $263 | No annual report |
| Oklahoma | $268 | Annual certificate |
| Oregon | $264 | Annual report |
| Pennsylvania | $289 | Annual report $7 by September 30 |
| Rhode Island | $320 | Annual report |
| South Carolina | $289 | No annual report required |
| South Dakota | $318 | Annual report |
| Tennessee | $472 | Annual report |
| Texas | $450 | Franchise tax report by May 15 |
| Utah | $225 | Annual renewal |
| Vermont | $320 | Annual report |
| Virginia | $264 | $50 annual registration fee |
| Washington | $364 | Annual report |
| West Virginia | $267 | Annual report |
| Wisconsin | $299 | Annual report |
| Wyoming | $199 | Annual report from $60 |
How Much Does an LLC Cost Compared With Other Options?
- Sole proprietorship: free to start in the US, but no protection for personal assets and not practical for founders outside the US.
- LLC: a one-time state fee plus a modest yearly cost in most states; the best value for most small businesses.
- C corporation: similar state fees, but a full corporate tax return and more paperwork every year.
LLC Cost: FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC?
It depends on the state. The one-time state filing fee is included in our all-in package prices, and the EIN is free. A registered agent adds a yearly cost unless you have your own street address in the state.
What is the cheapest state to form an LLC?
For yearly cost, New Mexico, because it has no annual report and no yearly state fee. Montana and Wyoming come next for first-year cost.
Do I have to pay for my LLC every year?
In most states, yes: an annual or biennial report fee, plus a registered agent. New Mexico, Arizona, Ohio and Missouri have no annual report for LLCs.
Why does an LLC cost $800 in California?
California charges every LLC an $800 minimum franchise tax each year, even with no income.
How much does an LLC cost for someone outside the US?
The state fees are the same. With LLCPronto, the first year is all-in from the New Mexico package price, including the state fee, registered agent, EIN and US mailing address.
How much does an LLC cost per year?
From $0 in New Mexico, Arizona, Ohio and Missouri up to $800 in California, plus a registered agent. See the yearly filing for every state in the table above.
Related Guides
- Best state for an LLC
- Cheapest state to form an LLC
- LLC annual report fees by state
- LLCPronto prices for all 50 states
One Price. No Surprise Fees.
State fee, registered agent, EIN and US mailing address in one first-year price.
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