How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC?

When forming an LLC yourself, the only cost you are responsible for is the state filing fee. A few states also require a publication fee or a name reservation fee. 

Learn how to cost-effectively start your LLC on our How to Save Money Forming Your LLC page.

State Filing Fee

The main cost when forming an LLC is typically the fee of filing your Articles of Organization with the State. This fee ranges between $40 and $500, depending on your state.

Publication Fees

Some states (Arizona, Nebraska, and New York) require your newly incorporated LLC to publish a statement of formation in a local newspaper. Publishing costs can be anywhere between $40 and $2000, depending on your state’s specific requirements.

Name Reservation Fee

If you’re forming an LLC in Alabama, you will also need to reserve your LLC’s name for a small fee of $10-$28. Reserving a name is optional for all other States.

Where Should I Form My LLC?

The rule of thumb is that you should always form your LLC in the state where you plan to conduct business. Otherwise, you may end up with additional unwanted costs and paperwork. For more information, visit our Best State to Form an LLC guide.

The table below provides the filing fees in each state as well as any annual expenses. For a more detailed report, click the state name.

There are regular fees that you'll need to pay to keep your LLC in good standing. The maintenance costs usually only include an annual or biennial report fee.

In some states, there could be state taxes, often known as a “franchise tax.”

Annual/Biennial Report

Most states require LLCs to submit an annual or biennial report which includes updating the name, address, and ownership of the LLC. The report fee varies state by state.

Franchise Tax

Some states levy a yearly tax on LLC's (often called a franchise tax). This is usually a flat tax, but can also vary according to your LLC's annual earnings in certain states.

Should I Use a Professional Service?

Before using a paid service, we recommend checking out our How to Form an LLC guide to understand what is involved in forming an LLC in your state.

Depending on where you form your LLC, you may be able to do the entire formation yourself. For states that require things like publication, or lengthy detailed forms, it's sometimes best to use a service.

You can use a professional formation service to create your LLC. This can save you both time and the hassle of filling out legal paperwork.

Two reliable formation services include:

• ZenBusiness ($39 + State Fees)
• LegalZoom ($79 + State Fees)

LLC formation services usually offer the following:

• LLC Formation
• Registered Agent Services
• Creating your LLC's Operating Agreement
• Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS
• Researching Business Licenses Requirements
• LLC Seal and Kit

TIP
The "LLC Seal and Kit" packages are totally unnecessary and do nothing to add to your credibility.