LLC Cost by State — 2026 Filing Fees for All 50 States

Starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) involves paying state filing fees that vary dramatically across the United States. While some states charge as little as $40, others require fees exceeding $500. Understanding these costs upfront helps you budget properly and choose the most cost-effective state for your business formation. Our calculator provides current filing fees for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including both initial formation costs and ongoing requirements like annual reports and franchise taxes.

How to Use This Calculator

Using our LLC cost calculator is straightforward. Start by selecting your desired state of incorporation from the dropdown menu. The calculator will instantly display the mandatory state filing fee for forming an LLC in that jurisdiction. For comparison shopping, select multiple states to see their fees side by side. This feature is particularly useful if you’re considering forming your LLC in a state different from where you conduct business—a common practice for businesses seeking favorable tax treatment or regulatory environments. The calculator shows several cost components: – Initial filing fee: The mandatory payment to your chosen state’s Secretary of State or equivalent agency – Expedited processing fee: Optional faster processing times, typically available for an additional cost – Annual report fee: Ongoing yearly fees required to maintain your LLC in good standing – Registered agent fee: Required in states where you don’t have a physical address Remember that these are only state-mandated fees. Additional costs like legal services, registered agent services, or operating agreement preparation are separate expenses not included in our calculations.

How We Calculate This

Our calculations are based on official fee schedules published by each state’s Secretary of State office or equivalent business filing agency. We update this information regularly as states adjust their fee structures, typically on an annual basis. The methodology involves direct collection from authoritative government sources. We review each state’s official business formation webpage, current statutes, and published fee schedules. When states offer multiple service levels (standard, expedited, same-day), we display the standard processing fee as the primary cost and note expedited options separately. For annual maintenance costs, we include mandatory annual reports, franchise taxes, and other recurring fees required to keep an LLC in good standing. We calculate these as annual amounts, even when states collect them biennially or at different intervals, to provide consistent comparisons. We exclude optional services that vary by provider, such as: – Registered agent services (unless the state requires residents to use professional services) – Operating agreement preparation – EIN application assistance – Business licenses unrelated to LLC formation Our data sources include state government websites, official fee schedules, and direct verification with state agencies when information appears unclear or contradictory.

What the Results Mean

The results show the minimum amount required to legally form an LLC in your selected state. However, understanding what these numbers represent helps you make informed decisions. Low-cost states (under $100) like Wyoming ($100), Colorado ($50), and Mississippi ($50) attract business formation but may have other considerations like limited legal precedent for business disputes or less developed business infrastructure. Medium-cost states ($100-$300) represent the majority of jurisdictions and typically offer a balance of reasonable fees with established legal frameworks and business services. High-cost states (over $300) like Massachusetts ($520) and California ($70 initial fee plus $800 minimum franchise tax) often provide robust legal protections, extensive business resources, and large commercial markets that may justify the higher costs. The annual maintenance fees reveal the ongoing cost of maintaining your LLC. States like Delaware charge $300 annually, while others like Wyoming require no annual fee, only a biennial report costing $60. Consider these results alongside non-monetary factors: – Legal precedent: States with extensive business law history provide more predictable legal outcomes – Tax implications: Some states offer favorable tax treatment that outweighs higher filing fees – Business environment: Access to funding, skilled workforce, and industry clusters – Regulatory requirements: Ongoing compliance complexity and costs Remember that the lowest-cost option isn’t always the best choice for your specific situation.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Research total first-year costs, not just filing fees. California’s $70 filing fee seems reasonable until you discover the $800 minimum franchise tax due by the end of your first tax year. Verify current fees directly with the state before filing. While we update our calculator regularly, states can change fees between our update cycles. Always confirm the current amount on the official state website. Consider your business’s actual needs when choosing a state. Delaware’s popularity for large corporations doesn’t automatically make it the best choice for a small local business that will never have outside investors. Budget for registered agent services if you’re forming an LLC in a state where you don’t maintain a physical address. This typically costs $100-$300 annually and is legally required. Don’t confuse expedited processing with necessity. Standard processing usually takes 1-3 weeks, while expedited service costs significantly more for only modest time savings. Plan ahead when possible. Understand ongoing requirements beyond annual reports. Some states require additional filings, tax payments, or compliance measures that add to your annual costs. Avoid package deals from formation services without understanding what you’re buying. Many services bundle unnecessary features with state filing fees, inflating your actual costs significantly. Remember that some states require publication of your LLC formation in local newspapers, adding $100-$1,000 to your total costs depending on your location.

FAQ

Q: Can I change my LLC’s state of formation after filing? A: You cannot directly transfer an LLC from one state to another. Instead, you must either dissolve your current LLC and form a new one in your desired state, or register as a foreign LLC in the new state while maintaining your original formation. Both options involve additional fees and potential tax implications, so choose carefully during initial formation. Q: Why do some states have much higher fees than others? A: State filing fees reflect different policy approaches and revenue needs. Some states deliberately keep fees low to attract business formation, viewing increased economic activity as more valuable than filing fee revenue. Others set higher fees to fund business services, regulatory oversight, or general state operations. The fee amount doesn’t necessarily correlate with the quality of services or legal protections provided. Q: Do I have to form my LLC in the state where I do business? A: No, you can form an LLC in any state regardless of where you conduct business. However, you’ll likely need to register as a “foreign LLC” in states where you have substantial business activity, which involves additional fees and compliance requirements. For most small businesses, forming in your home state proves most cost-effective and administratively simple.