LLC Formation Cost by State
Compare what it costs to form an LLC in different states. Pick a state to see the one-time filing fee, the annual recurring fee, and your estimated first-year total — side by side, in seconds.
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All fees are estimates — fees change. Verify the current fee with your state's Secretary of State before filing. Totals exclude registered agent fees, business licenses, and taxes.
How to use this calculator
Select a state from the dropdown and the calculator fills in the estimated filing fee and annual recurring fee automatically. The results update instantly. If your state is not listed, choose "Other state" and enter the filing and annual fees manually.
Example: forming an LLC in Texas costs an estimated $300 filing fee with no annual state fee, so the first-year total is $300. In California the $70 filing fee comes with an $800 annual franchise tax minimum, pushing the first-year estimate to $870.
How it works
First-year total = one-time state filing fee + first annual recurring fee. Recurring yearly cost = the annual (or biennial, where noted) fee you keep paying to keep the LLC in good standing.
The one-time filing fee is only part of the story. California looks cheap at $70 to file until you add the $800 annual minimum franchise tax; Texas charges $300 up front but $0 per year after. Always compare first-year totals and recurring costs.
All state numbers here are approximate estimates from publicly listed fee schedules and can change. They do not include registered agent fees, publication requirements (some states require newspaper publication), business licenses, or taxes. Verify with your state's Secretary of State.
Frequently asked questions
Which state is cheapest to form an LLC?
By filing fee alone, states like Colorado, Arizona, and Ohio are among the cheapest (around $50-$99). But cheap filing fees do not always mean cheap ownership — always compare the annual recurring fee too, not just the one-time filing cost.
Why is California's LLC fee so high?
California charges a $70 filing fee but an $800 annual franchise tax minimum every year, which makes it one of the most expensive states for LLC ownership. This calculator shows the difference between the one-time filing fee and the ongoing yearly cost.
Can I form my LLC in a different state than where I live?
Generally you can, but if you do business in your home state you usually still have to register there as a foreign LLC and pay its fees too — which often erases the savings. Talk to an accountant or attorney before choosing a state for fee reasons alone.
Are these LLC fee numbers exact?
No — they are estimates. State fees change, and some states add extra charges for expedited filing, publication, or business licenses. Always verify the current fee with your state's Secretary of State before filing.
What does first-year total include?
The first-year total is the one-time state filing fee plus the first annual recurring fee (or biennial report fee). It does not include registered agent fees, operating agreement drafting, business licenses, or taxes.