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Arizona LLC · Complete Guide · Check current official instructions

How to Start an LLC in Arizona (2026)

Arizona is genuinely one of the cheapest, lowest-maintenance states to form an LLC in — just $50 to file, no annual report, and no franchise tax. But it has a quirk almost no other state has: a newspaper publication requirement within 60 days of formation, unless your statutory agent is based in Maricopa or Pima County. This guide walks all 8 steps, with a cost calculator and the honest details other guides skip.

Ahmad Adil Written by Ahmad Adil, LLC School·Check current official instructions
Downtown Phoenix skyline and surrounding mountains in Arizona
Quick Answer

It costs just $50 to file Arizona's Articles of Organization — one of the lowest fees in the country. There's no annual report and no franchise tax for LLCs. The one catch: most LLCs must publish a Notice of Formation in a local newspaper within 60 days, costing $60–$300 — unless your statutory agent is located in Maricopa or Pima County, where the state publishes online for free instead.

Arizona LLC — Fast Facts
Filing fee
$50
Annual report
None (LLCs)
Franchise tax
None
Publication req.
$60–$300, most counties
Maricopa/Pima
Exempt
Processing
~9–11 business days
Formation doc
Articles of Org.

Why Form an LLC in Arizona?

Arizona is a genuinely strong choice for keeping things simple and cheap. Here's what draws people:

  • $50 filing fee — one of the lowest flat state fees anywhere.
  • No annual report — unlike Arizona corporations, LLCs have zero recurring filing with the Corporation Commission.
  • No franchise tax — a default pass-through LLC owes no entity-level tax to the state.
  • Fast, modern filing system — use the ACC’s current Arizona Business Center portal.
  • Predictable, low ongoing cost — once the one-time publication requirement is handled, there's very little else to budget for annually.

The catch most guides skipArizona is one of the only states that requires you to publish a Notice of Formation in a local newspaper — three consecutive publications within 60 days of approval, typically costing $60–$300 depending on the newspaper. Skip it and your LLC risks administrative dissolution. There's one major exception: if your statutory agent's address is in Maricopa or Pima County (home to Phoenix and Tucson), the Arizona Corporation Commission publishes the notice online automatically, and you owe nothing.

Arizona LLC Cost Calculator

Toggle the options to see your total one-time formation cost — the biggest variable is whether you need to publish:

Arizona LLC Cost Calculator
One-time formation cost
Articles of Organization RequiredOne-time state filing fee$50
Newspaper publicationRequired unless your agent is in Maricopa/Pima County — avg. cost shown$120
Registered/statutory agent serviceOptional — free if you act as your own AZ agent$125
Expedited processingOptional — cuts ~9-11 days down to ~3-5 days$35
Trade Name (DBA) registrationOptional — valid 5 years$10
Estimated total to form
$170
one-time, no recurring state fees

Estimates only. If your statutory agent's address is in Maricopa or Pima County, deselect publication and your cost drops to $50 plus any optional add-ons. Registered agent and newspaper pricing vary by provider/publication. Not legal or tax advice.

The 8 Steps to Start Your Arizona LLC

Here's the full path from name to taxes. Each step has its own detailed guide with a tool to make it easier — the filing that legally creates your company is Step 3: Articles of Organization:

1Name Your LLCPick a compliant, available name and check it with the state.Step 1 → 2Statutory AgentAppoint an Arizona agent — and consider the county carefully.Step 2 → 3Articles of OrganizationFile the $50 form that legally creates your LLC.Step 3 → 4Operating AgreementSet ownership and management rules (recommended).Step 4 → 5Get an EINYour free federal tax ID from the IRS.Step 5 → 6Publication RequirementPublish your Notice of Formation — unless exempt.Step 6 → 7Business LicensesTPT license and any local permits you need.Step 7 → 8LLC TaxesPass-through federal + Arizona's flat 2.5% state tax.Step 8 →

Arizona's Flat 2.5% State Income Tax

Arizona’s individual income-tax rate is 2.5%. Tax treatment depends on federal classification, owner residency and business activities. A default pass-through LLC can pass income to its owners; corporate elections, TPT, payroll and other obligations require separate review. See the state tax guide for the applicable rules.

Publication is the step that surprises peopleMost new LLC owners plan for the filing fee and maybe a registered agent — they don't expect a newspaper notice. If your statutory agent isn't in Maricopa or Pima County, budget the $60-$300 and the 60-day window from day one. See Step 6 for the full walkthrough, including how to check your county exemption.

Ahmad Adil's Take: If you can put your statutory agent in Maricopa or Pima County, do it — you skip the entire publication headache and cost, and it's the single easiest cost-saving decision in this whole process. Beyond that, Arizona genuinely lives up to its reputation for simplicity: no annual report, no franchise tax, and a flat, easy-to-plan-around 2.5% state income tax. This is a great state for straightforward, low-maintenance LLC ownership if you're actually operating here.
Optional Provider Service
Northwest: Optional Formation Assistance
Verify current customer feedback directlyOptional filing assistance · Verify current terms directly
  • ✓Optional formation assistance; confirm filing scope, service pricing and submission responsibilities.
  • ✓Handles the publication requirement for you
  • ✓Confirm registered-agent eligibility, coverage, included periods and renewal charges.
  • ✓Review address-use rules and privacy policies; a service does not remove all information from public filings.
Current offer+ $50 AZ state fee
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Frequently Asked Questions

Arizona LLC — FAQ

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Arizona?
It costs $50 to file the Articles of Organization. Most LLCs also need to complete the publication requirement, costing an additional $60–$300 — unless your statutory agent is in Maricopa or Pima County, where you're exempt.
Does Arizona require an annual report for LLCs?
No — unlike Arizona corporations, LLCs have no annual report requirement with the Arizona Corporation Commission. This is one of Arizona's biggest advantages for ongoing maintenance.
What is Arizona's LLC publication requirement?
Most Arizona LLCs must publish a Notice of Formation in a local newspaper for three consecutive publications within 60 days of approval. LLCs with a statutory agent in Maricopa or Pima County are exempt, since the state publishes online automatically instead.
Does Arizona have a franchise tax for LLCs?
No. Arizona does not impose a franchise tax on default pass-through LLCs, unlike states such as California or Texas.
What is Arizona's state income tax rate?
Arizona uses a flat 2.5% personal income tax rate, applied to your share of pass-through LLC profits along with your other income.
Can a non-resident form an Arizona LLC?
Yes — there's no residency requirement. But if you live and operate elsewhere, you'll typically also register as a foreign LLC in your home state and pay that state's taxes on your share of the profits.
How long does it take to form an Arizona LLC?
Standard processing takes about 9–11 business days for both online and mail filings. Expedited processing (+$35) cuts this to about 3–5 business days, and same-day approval is available for an additional fee.
Ahmad Adil, founder of LLC School
About the Author
Ahmad Adil

Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. For filing and ongoing compliance, confirm the requirements with the responsible state agency. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.

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