🏢 LLC Formation Cost Calculator

Get the real cost to form an LLC in your state — exact state filing fees plus ongoing annual costs.

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LLC Formation Cost Estimator

Uses real 2026 state filing fees. All calculations stay in your browser. · Updated June 2026

One-Time Formation Costs

One-Time Total

Estimated Annual Ongoing Costs

Annual Total (Ongoing)

Forming an LLC in 2026 typically costs $35–$500 in state filing fees, with most states in the $50–$150 range. Montana ($35) and Kentucky ($40) rank among the cheapest; Massachusetts ($500) is the most expensive. Adding a registered agent service ($50–$300/year) and an optional attorney-drafted operating agreement ($500–$1,500), total first-year costs for most LLCs generally fall between $200 and $2,000 depending on the state and services chosen.

What's Included in LLC Formation?

Forming a legal LLC requires at minimum four things: (1) Filing Articles of Organization with your state Secretary of State — costs range from $35 (Montana) to $500 (Massachusetts) depending on state; (2) Designating a registered agent with a physical in-state address, available during business hours to receive legal documents; (3) Creating an Operating Agreement documenting ownership, management, and profit-sharing — required by law in California, Delaware, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, and New York, and strongly advisable everywhere else; and (4) Obtaining a Federal EIN (Employer Identification Number) directly from IRS.gov — always free, despite numerous third-party services charging $50–$100 for what is a zero-cost task. A dedicated business bank account is also recommended to maintain proper separation between personal and business finances, as most banks require your Operating Agreement and EIN to open one. In New York, a mandatory publication requirement adds $1,000–$2,000 in local newspaper advertising fees — an often-overlooked cost that catches many new business owners off guard.

Best States to Form an LLC in 2026

Wyoming consistently ranks as the top formation-friendly state in 2026: $100 filing fee, $60/year renewal, no state income tax, some of the strongest charging order protections in U.S. LLC law, and no requirement to publicly disclose member names. Delaware remains the choice for businesses expecting outside investment, venture capital, or eventual acquisition — its Court of Chancery and well-developed business case law provide unmatched legal predictability. New Mexico attracts owners seeking anonymity: it allows anonymous member LLCs with no annual report requirement and no public member disclosure. For most small business owners operating within a single state, however, forming in your home state is generally simpler — "foreign qualifying" an out-of-state LLC where you actually operate requires paying your home state's fees anyway, effectively doubling the filing and annual report costs. California remains one of the most expensive states to maintain an LLC over time: only $70 to form, but the $800/year minimum franchise tax applies from the first year regardless of whether the business earns any income. Consulting a licensed attorney or CPA is advisable before choosing a formation state if you plan to operate across multiple states.

Frequently Asked Questions

The state filing fee to form an LLC ranges from $35 (Montana, Kentucky) to $500 (Massachusetts), with most states in the $50–$150 range. Adding a registered agent service ($50–$300/year) and an optional attorney-drafted operating agreement ($500–$1,500), total first-year costs for most LLCs fall between $200 and $2,000. You'll also want a free federal EIN from IRS.gov (always free — ignore any third-party service charging for it) and a dedicated business bank account to maintain the liability separation that makes your LLC valuable.
Not necessarily. Most single-member LLCs can be formed by filing directly with the state Secretary of State online, for the filing fee alone, without an attorney. An attorney is generally advisable when: the LLC has multiple members (a properly drafted operating agreement is critical for multi-member LLCs to prevent disputes about profit sharing, management authority, and what happens when a member wants to exit); your LLC will have outside investors; your business involves professional licensing requirements; or the business has significant assets or complex operations from day one. For simple single-member LLCs, many owners use reputable online services (Registered Agents Inc., Northwest Registered Agent, Inc Authority) that handle filing for $0–$50 plus the state fee.
Every LLC must designate a registered agent — a person or entity with a physical address in the state of formation who is available during business hours to receive legal documents (lawsuits, government notices). You can serve as your own registered agent if you're located in-state, at no cost. Most business owners use a registered agent service ($50–$300/year) for privacy (keeping your home address off public records), reliability (ensuring documents aren't missed), and to make it easy to maintain registration if you move or form in a state where you don't reside. Well-known services include Northwest Registered Agent, Registered Agents Inc., and ZenBusiness.
An operating agreement is required by law in California, Delaware, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, and New York. It's strongly advisable everywhere else, even for single-member LLCs. The operating agreement documents: member names and ownership percentages; how profits and losses are distributed; how the business is managed (member-managed vs. manager-managed); procedures for adding or removing members; what happens if a member dies, becomes incapacitated, or wants to sell their interest; and dissolution procedures. Without a written operating agreement, your state's default LLC rules govern these issues — which may not align with your intentions. Attorney-drafted multi-member operating agreements typically cost $500–$1,500.
Annual LLC maintenance costs vary significantly by state. Most states charge an annual report fee of $25–$200/year to keep the LLC in good standing. California is the most expensive: an $800 minimum franchise tax applies every year regardless of revenue, plus a 1.5% gross receipts tax on income above $250,000. Delaware charges a $300/year franchise tax. Wyoming and New Mexico have among the lowest annual fees at $50–$60/year. Ongoing costs also include registered agent fees ($50–$300/year if using a service) and any required business licenses or permits. Failing to pay annual fees and file required reports puts your LLC in "bad standing," which can nullify your liability protection.

⚖️ When to Hire an Attorney for LLC Formation

A business attorney is worth the investment for LLC formation when: the LLC will have two or more members (a carefully drafted operating agreement is essential to prevent costly disputes); outside investors or equity is involved; your industry requires professional licensing (law, medicine, accounting, real estate brokerage) where a PLLC or PC structure may be required instead; you're operating across multiple states; the business owns significant real estate or intellectual property; or the operating agreement involves complex economic arrangements like preferred returns or different classes of membership interest. For a straightforward single-member LLC with no unusual features, online formation services or a direct state filing are generally sufficient.