How Much Does an LLC Cost?
The cost to file an LLC varies from state to state but ranges from $40 to $500.
How much your LLC will cost depends on which state your LLC will be formed in.
Before starting your business, use the free LLC fees filing tool below to research and compare different state fees, quickly and easily.
LLC Costs by State
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Although you can use our free step-by-step guide to form your LLC yourself, why not save time and stress by using Incfile’s free LLC formation service at no extra cost - you’ll only pay the state fee.
How do I get started with an LLC? Form your LLC now.
Other Expenses That Contribute to the Cost of an LLC
Although the main cost when starting an LLC is the state filing fee, there are additional up-front and ongoing costs to plan for.
Up-Front LLC Costs
In addition to the state filing fee there are other up-front costs that you need to be aware of. They vary by state too and include:
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Fees to reserve the name of your LLC (from $10 to $50)
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Fees for filing a fictitious business name application if you're going to operate under a different name (ranges from $5 to $100)
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The cost of getting your business license (costs anywhere from $50 to $100)
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Permit fees (the permits or licenses your business may need will depends on your industry but can vary from $0 to thousands of dollars)
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Publication fees (Applicable in New York, Nebraska & Arizona range from $40 to $2000)
There’s so much to think about when starting a new business. Incfile is ready and willing to help you complete all these tasks and get them right the first time.
The Ongoing Costs of Running an LLC
Once your LLC is up and running, you'll need to pay recurring fees or maintenance costs to keep it in good standing with local and state government. Ongoing LLC costs also vary by state and include:
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Annual LLC taxes, sometimes known as franchise tax (usually $0 to $100 but can be as much as $800)
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Annual Report fees (up to $500)
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Registered Agent fees (ranges from $100 to $300)
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Business License renewal fees (from $20 to $100)
Compare Incfile vs ZenBusiness and discover how you can save from 60 to 76% during the first 5 years of your business with Incfile.
Let Incfile take care of your ongoing maintenance to keep your business in good standing and help you manage renewals and yearly reporting for peace of mind.
Not Sure an LLC Is Right for Your Business?
There are some businesses that can’t form an LLC such as banks, insurance companies, financial trusts and other financial institutions.
In some states, certain industries can’t form LLC’s either – For example accountants, architects and health care providers can’t form LLCs in California.
There are also some business types just that aren’t a good fit for forming an LLC:
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Startups that wish to offer stock options or bring on investors.
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Nonprofits because it makes formation more complex and there are laws preventing it in many states.
Get an overview of business structures and explore different business entities to ensure you pick the best business type for your needs with our business entity quiz.
LLC not right for you? Get started with a C Corp or an S Corp.
Common Questions About State Filing Fees
LLC filing fees vary from state to state but range from $40 to $500.
With our $0 LLC package, you can form your LLC and only pay the fees required by your state. Incfile’s filing services are free.
No! We pride ourselves on transparency. There are absolutely no hidden costs.
Find out how to start an LLC in every state with our LLC state information map.
Filing an LLC can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Easily compare state filing times side by side using our state filing times comparison tool.
- Find out if your business name is available in your state with our business name search tool.
- Use our business license tool to find out if you need a business license.
- Ready to get started? File your LLC for free.
You pay a one-time fee to form your LLC, but every year (or every two years, if your state requires a biennial report), you’ll need to file an Annual Report and pay the associated fees.
- You can file your LLC with Incfile for free.
- You can file the paperwork by yourself too, but you’d still have to pay the relevant state fees, so why go through the hassle of going it alone when you can save time and stress by forming your LLC with Incfile?
Yes. One of the largest advantages of having an LLC is that it allows business owners to avoid double taxation because LLCs are treated as pass-through entities for tax purposes. This means that the LLCs business income is not subject to corporate income tax.
- Often an LLC is worth it for a small business because it provides limited liability protection, allows for pass-through taxation and your business can be member-managed.
- There also aren't any ownership restrictions, so you have the flexibility to choose your business’s tax status and there’s flexibility in how you can distribute profits.
- One of the biggest reasons why an LLC is a good choice for small business is that there are minimal additional complexities and compliance requirements.