LLC Cost in New Hampshire (2026)
State Filing Fee: $100 | Annual Report: $100/year
Forming an LLC in New Hampshire requires filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $100. New Hampshire LLCs also have a Annual Report of $100 per year.
Use our LLC Cost Calculator to estimate your total first-year cost including registered agent and optional formation services.
# LLC Cost in New Hampshire (2026) — Filing Fees and Annual Costs Forming an LLC in New Hampshire requires careful consideration of both upfront and ongoing costs. This calculator helps you understand the complete financial picture of establishing and maintaining your Limited Liability Company in the Live Free or Die state. ## How to Use This Calculator To get accurate cost projections for your New Hampshire LLC, you’ll need to provide several key pieces of information: **Basic Formation Details:** Start by selecting whether you’re forming a domestic LLC (within New Hampshire) or a foreign LLC (formed in another state but operating in New Hampshire). This choice significantly impacts your filing fees. **Service Options:** Choose whether you’ll handle the paperwork yourself or hire a registered agent service. New Hampshire requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a New Hampshire address, which can be yourself if you live in-state, or a professional service. **Timeline Preferences:** Select your desired processing speed. New Hampshire offers standard processing (typically 10-15 business days) and expedited service for faster approval. **Additional Services:** Indicate if you need extras like certified copies of your Articles of Organization, EIN application assistance, or operating agreement templates. **Annual Compliance:** Input whether you plan to use professional help for ongoing requirements like annual reports and tax filings. The calculator will process this information and provide a comprehensive breakdown of your first-year costs and projected annual expenses. ## How We Calculate This Our calculator uses current New Hampshire Secretary of State fee schedules and typical market rates for professional services to generate accurate cost estimates. **State Filing Fees:** The base cost for filing Articles of Organization with the New Hampshire Secretary of State is $100 for domestic LLCs. Foreign LLCs pay $200 to register in New Hampshire. These fees are set by state law and updated annually. **Registered Agent Costs:** If you serve as your own registered agent and have a New Hampshire address, this costs nothing. Professional registered agent services typically range from $99 to $299 annually, with most quality services falling around $150-200 per year. **Processing Speed Premiums:** New Hampshire offers expedited processing for an additional $25 fee, reducing processing time to 2-3 business days instead of the standard timeframe. **Additional Document Fees:** Certified copies cost $5 each from the Secretary of State. Most LLCs need 2-3 certified copies for banking and business purposes. **Ongoing Compliance Costs:** New Hampshire requires annual reports, which cost $100 per year. The calculator factors in potential professional assistance costs, which range from $50-150 for basic annual report filing to $300-500 for comprehensive compliance management. **Optional Professional Services:** The calculator includes estimates for common services like EIN application assistance ($50-100), operating agreement drafting ($300-800), and ongoing bookkeeping or tax preparation ($500-2000 annually, depending on complexity). ## What the Results Mean Your calculator results break down into several important categories that help you understand both immediate and long-term financial commitments. **Formation Costs:** This represents your upfront investment to legally establish your LLC. It includes state filing fees, registered agent setup (if using a service), and any expedited processing fees. Most New Hampshire LLCs can expect formation costs between $100-400, depending on service choices. **First-Year Total:** This figure combines formation costs with the first year of ongoing expenses like registered agent fees and the first annual report. Typically ranges from $250-700 for most straightforward LLCs. **Annual Ongoing Costs:** These are the expenses you’ll face each year after formation. At minimum, expect $100 for the annual report. With a registered agent service, annual costs typically run $200-400. Factor in additional professional services based on your business complexity. **Break-Even Analysis:** The calculator may show when professional services pay for themselves through time savings and compliance accuracy. This is particularly valuable for busy business owners. **Total 5-Year Projection:** This long-term view helps with business planning and budgeting. It assumes consistent service choices and current fee structures. ## Tips and Common Mistakes **Timing Matters:** File your LLC early in the calendar year if possible. New Hampshire’s annual report is due by April 1st each year, regardless of when you formed. Filing in January gives you a full year before your first annual report is due. **Don’t Skip the Operating Agreement:** While New Hampshire doesn’t require an operating agreement, having one protects your LLC status and prevents disputes. Budget $300-800 for professional drafting or use a quality template if your situation is straightforward. **Registered Agent Considerations:** Using yourself as registered agent saves money but requires a New Hampshire address and availability during business hours. Consider the inconvenience and privacy implications before choosing the cheapest option. **Annual Report Deadlines:** Missing the April 1st annual report deadline results in administrative dissolution. The reinstatement process costs additional fees and creates unnecessary complications. **EIN Confusion:** You can obtain an Employer Identification Number directly from the IRS for free. Don’t pay expediting services hundreds of dollars for something you can do yourself in 10 minutes online. **Foreign LLC Complexity:** If you formed your LLC in another state but operate in New Hampshire, you’ll pay fees in both states. Factor in dual compliance requirements and potential professional service needs. ## FAQ **Q: Can I change my registered agent after formation without additional state fees?** A: Yes, New Hampshire allows registered agent changes without state filing fees. However, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Office within 30 days of the change. If you switch from a service to yourself (or vice versa), plan for transition costs and ensure continuous compliance. **Q: What happens if I miss the annual report deadline, and how much will it cost to fix?** A: Missing the April 1st annual report deadline triggers administrative dissolution after 60 days. Reinstating a dissolved LLC requires filing a Certificate of Reinstatement ($100) plus the overdue annual report fee ($100), totaling $200 plus any penalties. The LLC remains dissolved until reinstatement is complete, potentially creating liability issues and business disruption. **Q: Are there any hidden costs not included in the basic calculator results?** A: The calculator covers standard formation and compliance costs, but additional expenses may include business licenses (varies by industry), state tax obligations (New Hampshire has no general sales tax but has business profits tax and business enterprise tax), banking fees for business accounts, and insurance premiums. These vary significantly based on your specific business type and circumstances.