LLC costs by state

The state filing price is only one part of an LLC budget. This comparison separates formation charges from recurring registry or tax charges and links each confirmed component to its official source. It covers all 50 states and Washington, D.C.; a jurisdiction's inclusion does not mean every charge has been confirmed.

Use the table to compare the same type of expense. An annual report, a biennial report and an annual tax are not interchangeable. A missing confirmation is not a zero fee. These figures describe ordinary domestic LLCs, with method differences and important qualifications noted in the rows.

State-by-state comparison

How to read the comparison

Each confirmed cell carries its own source and check date. A formation source does not automatically substantiate the recurring charge, so those components are reviewed separately. When a source was unavailable or contradictory, that component is marked for confirmation rather than filled from an unsourced nationwide chart. The linked state guide provides additional context.

The table is alphabetical, not a recommendation to form in the state with the smallest opening fee. Some figures are base filing charges, while others include explicitly identified required components. Read the method and extra-cost notes before comparing them.

The costs that a headline formation price can miss

• Recurring obligations: keep annual and biennial charges on their actual schedules. An annualized average is not a filing deadline.
• Additional initial requirements: name reservation, publication, an initial list or a business license can be separate from the Articles filing.
• Method and processing charges: online, paper, card payments, expedited handling and rush service may have different prices.
• Business-specific obligations: taxes, permits, employer accounts and professional licensing depend on the company and its activity.
• Private services: commercial agents, filing assistance, accounting and mailbox subscriptions have their own prices and renewals.
• Additional states: forming outside the operating state can create a second registration and another set of obligations.

The best-state guide explains why the lowest opening fee may not be the best operating decision. A state's low filing charge is not a finding that your business will owe no tax there or elsewhere.

Two examples of comparing the right charges

For a Florida LLC, distinguish the required formation components from optional copies and a later annual report. The state agent-designation charge belongs to the state filing total; hiring a commercial agent is another decision. These obligations do not necessarily fall together or cover a complete first-year budget.

For Wisconsin, compare the online and paper methods for both organization and the later report. Eligibility-based waivers can change a qualifying applicant's filing cost. Read the two components separately: neither includes every license, tax, optional document or selected service.

For a customized arithmetic estimate, use the LLC cost planner. For the actual sequence of work, use the formation checklist.

Source and update method

We use state agency fee schedules, official filing instructions, statutory fee pages and state tax-agency guidance. Each displayed amount is limited to the component supported by its cited source. A source-check date records the review, not a guarantee that a government will keep the same fee indefinitely.

If a fee in the site's underlying state record changes after this review, the corresponding table cell stops displaying the reviewed number until it is reconciled. This prevents an old comparison from silently contradicting a later state update. Sources may also have eligibility exceptions or charges that depend on how you submit the filing.

Common questions

Does no annual report mean no recurring costs?

No. A registry-report rule does not settle taxes, licenses, agent subscriptions or other obligations. Confirm each category that applies to the business.

Is a biennial fee half as expensive each year?

Dividing by two can help with a budget, but the actual fee is payable on the agency's biennial schedule. Do not replace the legal filing period with an annual average.

Are provider fees included?

No private provider price is included in these state-charge columns. A provider can charge for assistance even when a state filing or renewal has no charge. Compare formation services only after deciding what work you want to outsource.

Which state is cheapest for my LLC?

That depends on where the business operates, its activity, required registrations and chosen services. The table is a source-backed comparison of fee components, not an individualized state recommendation.