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LLC Filing Fees by State — All 50 States + DC (2026)
How much does it really cost to start an LLC? It depends entirely on your state. This is the complete 2026 comparison — one-time filing fees, annual report costs, processing times, and the hidden costs most guides skip — verified against official state sources.
Written & verified by Ahmad Adil, LLC School·Data reviewed June 2026
2026 LLC Filing Fee Fast Facts
$35
Cheapest (Montana)
$500
Most Expensive (Massachusetts)
~$132
National Average Filing Fee
$0
EIN Cost (Always Free)
How LLC Filing Fees Work
When you form an LLC, you file a formation document — usually the Articles of Organization — with your state and pay a one-time, non-refundable fee. Beyond that, most states charge ongoing fees (annual reports, biennial reports, or franchise taxes) to keep your LLC in good standing. Missing these can trigger late fees or administrative dissolution.
Don't pick a state by filing fee alone. Forming in Wyoming while living in California means you'll register as a foreign LLC at home and pay Wyoming's ~$60/yr plus California's $800 minimum franchise tax. Always form where you operate.
Your filing fee does NOT cover:
Registered agent — free if DIY, or $100–$300/yr
EIN — always free at IRS.gov
Annual report fees — $0 to $800+/yr
Publication — New York ($300–$1,500+) and Nebraska (~$40–$100)
Master Table — All 51 States (2026)
Click any state for its full guide. Search or filter to find yours.
51 states
#
State
Filing Fee
Annual Fee
Frequency
Processing
Source: official state agency sites. Verified June 2026; confirm before filing. *Texas franchise tax applies only above $2.65M revenue (2026). **California annual = $800 min franchise tax (+ $20 biennial SOI). Alabama eliminated its SOS annual report (Oct 2024); Business Privilege Tax is exempt when $100 or less. Pennsylvania switched to a $7 annual report in 2025.
First-Year Cost Calculator
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10 Cheapest States to Form an LLC
Ranked by total first-year cost (filing + annual).
Ahmad Adil's Warning: The "cheapest state" is almost always the one where you live and operate. Forming elsewhere means paying fees in two states. These rankings only matter if you have genuine flexibility.
Also: Alabama dropped its SOS annual report in Oct 2024, and its Business Privilege Tax is exempt at $100 or less of calculated tax — so most Alabama LLCs also pay $0 in recurring state fees. Even in no-fee states, you may still owe state income tax.
States With No Personal Income Tax
In these 9 states, your LLC's pass-through profits aren't hit by a state income tax.
New York LLCs must publish notice in two newspapers for six consecutive weeks. In NYC-area counties this runs $300–$1,500+. Skipping it can suspend your LLC's authority to do business.
California Franchise Tax
CA LLCs · $800/yr minimum
California's $800 minimum franchise tax hits every LLC doing business there — even with zero revenue — every year. Separate from the $70 filing fee.
Registered Agent
All states · $0 DIY or $100–$300/yr
Being your own agent is free but puts your address on public record. Our pick: Northwest at $125/yr — free the first year with their $39 package.
Local Business License
Most businesses · $50–$200+/yr
Most cities/counties require a general business license, separate from your state LLC. Check your city's website.
Foreign LLC Registration
Multi-state · A second state's fee
Form in one state but operate in another and you must register as a foreign LLC there too — a second filing fee plus a second annual fee. This is why out-of-state formation rarely saves money.
Disclosure: LLC School may earn a commission via this link, at no cost to you. See our advertising disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
LLC Filing Fee FAQ
What is the average LLC filing fee in the US?
About $132 across all 50 states and DC, ranging from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts. It's a one-time cost paid when you file your Articles of Organization.
Which state is cheapest to form an LLC?
Montana at $35, then Kentucky ($40) and Arkansas ($45). Many states charge $50. But the cheapest state for you is almost always your home state.
Are LLC filing fees tax deductible?
Generally yes — state filing fees, registered agent fees, and formation service fees are typically deductible as business expenses. Startup costs up to $5,000 can often be deducted in year one. Confirm with a CPA.
Do I pay the filing fee every year?
No. The filing fee is one-time. The recurring cost is the separate annual (or biennial) report fee or franchise tax that keeps your LLC active.
Is it cheaper to form in Wyoming than my home state?
For most people, no. Forming in Wyoming while operating elsewhere means also registering as a foreign LLC at home — fees in both states. Wyoming is genuinely useful for non-residents and holding companies, but most US residents should form where they operate.
What happens if I don't pay my annual report fee?
Most states charge a late fee ($25–$100; Florida's is $400). Keep missing it and your LLC loses good standing and can be administratively dissolved — at which point you lose liability protection. File on time.
About the Author
Ahmad Adil
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. Every fee on this page is personally verified against official Secretary of State and state agency sources, and updated whenever a state changes its requirements.