LLC Cost by State Calculator
Look up LLC filing fees and annual costs for all 50 US states. Compare first-year total cost and ongoing annual expenses including registered agent fees.
Reviewed for accuracy by Marcus Webb and the Blueprint Dynamics editorial team (last updated July 2026). Our calculators use primary-source formulas and are cross-checked against IRS publications, Fannie Mae guidelines, and Federal Reserve data. Learn more about our methodology.
Filing fees and annual costs for every US state
First-Year Total
$180
Ongoing Annual Cost
$130
Colorado breakdown
Very low annual fee
Fees are approximate and change periodically. Additional costs may include an operating agreement ($0–$200), EIN (free from IRS), business licenses, and state/local taxes. Verify current fees on your state's Secretary of State website.
One-time costs to form an LLC
State filing fees to register an LLC vary widely: $50–$70 in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Mississippi; $100–$150 in most states (Texas $300, New York $200, Colorado $50); and up to $500+ in Massachusetts. You can file directly with the Secretary of State for the filing fee alone, or use an online service (LegalZoom, ZenBusiness, Northwest Registered Agent) for $0–$99 in service fees on top of state costs. These services handle the paperwork but are not a substitute for legal advice on your specific structure. An EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS is free and takes 5–10 minutes online — you need it to open a business bank account and file taxes.
Annual ongoing costs
Most states require annual reports or renewal filings to keep the LLC in good standing: $25–$75 in many states, $250 in Massachusetts, $350 in California (plus the $800 minimum franchise tax). California is uniquely expensive for LLCs — the minimum $800 annual franchise tax applies regardless of revenue in years 1 and beyond, and an additional fee of $0–$11,790 applies at higher gross revenue levels. New York is also expensive: LLCs must publish formation notices in two local newspapers, a requirement that can cost $1,000–$2,000 in the New York City area. A registered agent (a designated individual or service that receives legal documents) is required in every state: $50–$300/year for a registered agent service, or free if you use yourself or someone with a physical in-state address.
The operating agreement — do it right
An operating agreement defines how the LLC is governed: ownership percentages, how profits and losses are distributed, how decisions are made, and what happens if a member wants to leave or dies. It is required by law in a few states (California, New York, Maine, Missouri, Delaware) and strongly recommended everywhere else. For a single-member LLC, a basic operating agreement is simple and can be done with free templates. For multi-member LLCs, a poorly drafted operating agreement is one of the most common sources of business disputes — professional legal review ($500–$2,000) is worth the cost when real money and multiple stakeholders are involved.
Tax implications of the LLC structure
By default, a single-member LLC is taxed as a disregarded entity — the business income flows through to your personal tax return and you pay self-employment tax on all net profits. A multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership by default. You can elect to be taxed as an S-Corp (once profitable enough — typically $80,000+/year net) to reduce SE taxes on the distribution portion of earnings. The LLC itself pays no federal income tax — it is a pass-through entity in all default configurations. State income taxes on LLCs vary significantly, with some states imposing additional franchise taxes or gross receipts taxes on top of the federal pass-through treatment.