Calculate Your LLC Formation Cost in Seconds
Discover exact state filing fees, uncover hidden annual costs, and instantly compare your state against the cheapest alternatives.
- Updated for 2026 state fee changes
- Includes hidden mandatory publication costs
- Instantly compares against WY & DE
- Free PDF breakdown to your inbox
Step-by-Step Guidance
1How to Form an LLC Step by Step
- • Choose a unique name
- • Select a Registered Agent
- • File Articles of Organization
- • Create an Operating Agreement
- • Get an EIN
2How Much Does It Cost to Register?
- • Check base filing fee ($50-$500)
- • Add Registered Agent fee ($125/yr)
- • Add name reservation if applicable ($20)
- • Calculate local business licenses
3How to Choose the Best State
- • If local physical business: Choose Home State
- • If online/digital: Consider Home State first
- • If seeking VC: Choose Delaware
- • If maximizing privacy: Choose Wyoming
4How Long Does Approval Take
- • Check state's online portal
- • Pay for expedited processing if urgent
- • Wait 1-3 days for online, up to 4 weeks for mail
- • Receive stamped documents
5How to Reduce Formation Cost
- • Act as your own registered agent (if applicable)
- • File documents yourself online
- • Use the IRS website for a free EIN
- • Draft your own Operating Agreement
6How to Calculate Total Startup Cost
- • State Filing Fee
- • + First Year Agent Fee
- • + City/County Licenses
- • + Initial Bank Deposit Minimum
7How to Compare Costs Across States
- • Use our LLC calculator tool
- • Compare initial filing fees side-by-side
- • Factor in the Annual Report fee
- • Consider state franchise taxes
8How to Budget for the First Year
- • Save initial filing cost
- • Calendar the Annual Report due date
- • Budget for potential CPA tax filing fees
- • Set aside funds for local license renewals
State-by-State Breakdown
California
High ongoing costs, required for any business operating physically in CA.
Texas
High initial cost, but excellent for long-term savings due to no standard annual fee.
Wyoming
Best for privacy. Low maintenance, highly favored by digital nomads.
Florida
Very popular due to no state income tax, but strict annual reporting deadlines.
Delaware
The gold standard for startups seeking angel or VC funding.
New York
Requires a costly newspaper publication process ($400-$1000+) right after forming.
Nevada
Very expensive upfront and annually, but offers strong asset protection laws.
Entity & State Comparisons
Delaware vs Wyoming LLC
Delaware offers prestige and VC readiness but costs $110 to file + $300 annually. Wyoming offers extreme privacy and low costs ($100 to file, $60 annually).
LLC vs Sole Proprietorship
Sole props cost $0 to form but expose personal assets. LLCs cost $50-$500 upfront but provide limited liability protection.
LLC vs Corporation
LLCs offer flexible management and pass-through taxation. C-Corps face double taxation but allow for easy stock issuance for investors.
Cheapest States to Form
Montana ($35), Kentucky ($40), and Arkansas ($45) lead the pack for lowest initial fees.
Online vs Offline Registration
Online registration is faster (days vs weeks) but may incur small convenience fees (e.g., 2-3% credit card processing).
Home State vs Out-of-State
Filing out of state often requires registering as a 'Foreign LLC' back in your home state, effectively doubling your filing and annual fees.
Single-Member vs Multi-Member
Initial state filing fees are identical, but multi-member LLCs face more complex tax filing (Form 1065) and require a detailed Operating Agreement.
LLC Cost 2025 vs 2026
State fees and filing cycles can change. U.S.-created entities are currently exempt from FinCEN BOI reporting, so do not add a default BOI filing charge.
Who is this Calculator For?
See how different business models utilize our cost estimator to make informed legal decisions.
Starting an online business and wants to protect personal assets.
Forming a US LLC to access Stripe and US banking.
Creating an LLC to limit liability on physical products.
Registering an LLC to elect S-Corp taxation for benefits.
Setting up a legal structure to get reseller certificates.
Founder forming an LLC before signing large client retainers.
Comparing state costs to form holding companies.
Planning VC funding and rapid expansion.
Creating an LLC to hold a new rental property.
Forming a single-member LLC for professional credibility.
Registering an LLC to handle sponsorships and merch.
Two founders converting to a formal LLC structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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