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LLC guides

How to start an LLC in any state.

The form to file, the state fee, the annual report and the taxes for all 50 states, in plain English and checked against each state's official sources.

Checked against official state sourcesUpdated All 50 states
ALAlabamaLLC state fee $225AKAlaskaLLC state fee $250AZArizonaLLC state fee $50ARArkansasLLC state fee $50CACaliforniaLLC state fee $70COColoradoLLC state fee $50CTConnecticutLLC state fee $120DEDelawareLLC state fee $110FLFloridaLLC state fee $125GAGeorgiaLLC state fee $110HIHawaiiLLC state fee $50IDIdahoLLC state fee $100ILIllinoisLLC state fee $150INIndianaLLC state fee $95IAIowaLLC state fee $50KSKansasLLC state fee $85KYKentuckyLLC state fee $40LALouisianaLLC state fee $125MEMaineLLC state fee $175MDMarylandLLC state fee $100MAMassachusettsLLC state fee $500MIMichiganLLC state fee $50MNMinnesotaLLC state fee $155MSMississippiLLC state fee $50MOMissouriLLC state fee $50MTMontanaLLC state fee $35NENebraskaLLC state fee $100NVNevadaLLC state fee $425NHNew HampshireLLC state fee $100NJNew JerseyLLC state fee $100NMNew MexicoLLC state fee $50NYNew YorkLLC state fee $200NCNorth CarolinaLLC state fee $125NDNorth DakotaLLC state fee $135OHOhioLLC state fee $99OKOklahomaLLC state fee $100OROregonLLC state fee $100PAPennsylvaniaLLC state fee $125RIRhode IslandLLC state fee $150SCSouth CarolinaLLC state fee $110SDSouth DakotaLLC state fee $150TNTennesseeLLC state fee $300TXTexasLLC state fee $300UTUtahLLC state fee $59VTVermontLLC state fee $155VAVirginiaLLC state fee $100WAWashingtonLLC state fee $180WVWest VirginiaLLC state fee $100WIWisconsinLLC state fee $130WYWyomingLLC state fee $100

The process

Six steps, in every state.

The order is the same everywhere. What changes from state to state is the form name, the fee and what you file each year.

  1. Choose a nameAvailable in your state, with an LLC ending like “LLC”.
  2. Appoint a registered agentA person or company with an in-state street address.
  3. File your formation documentArticles of Organization or Certificate of Formation, plus the state fee.
  4. Sign an operating agreementOwnership, voting and profit sharing, in writing.
  5. Get an EINYour free federal tax ID from the IRS.
  6. Register for taxes and licensesSales tax, payroll and local licenses, if they apply.

Fees at a glance

State filing fees, lowest to highest.

One-time fees to form an LLC. Many states also charge an annual or biennial report fee.

Lowest state filing fees

  1. Montana$35
  2. Kentucky$40
  3. Arizona$50
  4. Arkansas$50
  5. Colorado$50

Highest state filing fees

  1. Massachusetts$500
  2. Nevada$425
  3. Texas$300
  4. Tennessee$300
  5. Alaska$250

State rules worth knowing

Where the rules differ.

No periodic LLC report

These states don't require LLCs to file an annual or biennial report. Some still charge an annual tax or fee.

ArizonaDelawareMissouriNew MexicoOhioSouth Carolina

Newspaper notice required

New LLCs in these states must publish notice of their formation, usually within a few months of filing.

ArizonaNebraskaNew York

Read next

From the Journal

All articles
Starting out

How much does it cost to start an LLC? Every fee, explained

State filing fees for an LLC run roughly $35 to $500, but that's not the whole bill. Here's every one-time and recurring cost, and which ones are optional.

March 10, 20266 min readRunning the business

What goes in an LLC operating agreement, even if you're the only member

An operating agreement is your LLC's rulebook, and single-member LLCs need one too. Here's what to include, why banks ask for it, and how to keep it current.

April 14, 20265 min readRunning the business

Your first 30 days after your LLC is approved: a checklist

Your LLC is approved. Now what? A week-by-week checklist covering your EIN, operating agreement, bank account, licenses, tax setup and the deadlines that come next.

May 12, 20266 min read

Questions

LLC questions, answered.

Can't find your answer? Call us at 801-477-5991 or ask our AI assistant.

How much does it cost to start an LLC?

The one-time state fees to form an LLC range from $35 to $500 depending on the state. Most states also charge a recurring annual or biennial report fee, and a few add a franchise or privilege tax. Each state guide lists the exact fees and links to the official fee schedule.

What are the steps to form an LLC?

Choose a name that's available in your state, appoint a registered agent, file the formation document (usually called the Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation), sign an operating agreement, get an EIN from the IRS, and register for any state taxes and licenses your business needs.

Do all states require an LLC annual report?

No. Most states require an annual or biennial report, but a handful don't require any periodic report from LLCs. The list on this page shows which ones, and each state guide explains the deadline and fee.

Which states require LLCs to publish a newspaper notice?

Only a few states require new LLCs to publish notice of their formation in a newspaper. Where it's required, the state guide explains the deadline and how to file proof of publication.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Yes, if you have a physical street address in the state where the LLC is formed and are available there during business hours. Many owners use a registered agent service to keep their home address off the public record.

How is an LLC taxed?

By default, a single-member LLC is taxed like a sole proprietorship and a multi-member LLC like a partnership, so profits pass through to the owners' personal returns. An LLC can elect to be taxed as an S corporation or a C corporation instead.

Ready to form your LLC?

About ten minutes, from $0 plus your state fee.

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