📊 Proprietary Data · May 2026

LLC Formation Costs in All 50 States + DC
2026 Updated Data

Every state's LLC filing fee, annual fee, and report requirement — each fee cited to the official Secretary of State website. Updated May 2026. The only complete cited dataset of its kind.

Published: May 12, 2026 · Coverage: All 50 states + DC · Sources: Official Secretary of State websites (links in table) · LLC advisor →

$40
Cheapest filing (KY)
$500
Most expensive filing (MA)
~$131
National average filing fee
6
States with no annual report

Complete LLC Formation Cost Table — All 50 States + DC (2026)

All fees sourced to official Secretary of State websites. Click the "SOS →" link to verify current fees before filing.

State Filing Fee (one-time) Annual Fee / Tax Annual Report Processing Time Source
Alabama AL $200 $50 min. privilege tax Yes (annual) 3–5 business days SOS →
Alaska AK $250 $100 biennial report Biennial 5–10 business days SOS →
Arizona AZ $50 None (no annual report) None 1–2 weeks SOS →
Arkansas AR $45 $150 annual franchise tax Yes (annual) 3–5 business days SOS →
California CA $70 $800/yr min. franchise tax + $20 statement of info Biennial 1–3 weeks (standard) SOS →
Colorado CO $50 $10 periodic report Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
Connecticut CT $120 $80 annual report Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
Delaware DE $90 $300/yr franchise tax (min) Annual (tax) 1–3 weeks SOS →
Florida FL $125 $138.75 annual report Annual (by May 1) 3–5 business days SOS →
Georgia GA $100 $50 annual registration Annual 7–15 business days SOS →
Hawaii HI $50 $15 annual report Annual 3–5 business days SOS →
Idaho ID $100 $0 annual report filing (no fee) Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
Illinois IL $150 $75 annual report Annual 10 business days SOS →
Indiana IN $95 $50 biennial report Biennial 3–5 business days SOS →
Iowa IA $50 $30 biennial report Biennial 5–7 business days SOS →
Kansas KS $160 $55 annual report Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
Kentucky KY $40 $15 annual report Annual 1–3 business days SOS →
Louisiana LA $100 $35 annual report Annual 3–5 business days SOS →
Maine ME $175 $85 annual report Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
Maryland MD $100 $300/yr personal property return Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
Massachusetts MA $500 $500 annual report Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
Michigan MI $50 $25 annual statement Annual 10–15 business days SOS →
Minnesota MN $155 $0 annual renewal (no fee) Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
Mississippi MS $50 None (no annual report) None 3–5 business days SOS →
Missouri MO $50 None (no annual report) None 3–5 business days SOS →
Montana MT $70 $20 annual report Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
Nebraska NE $105 $26 biennial report Biennial 3–5 business days SOS →
Nevada NV $75 $150 annual list + $200 state business license Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
New Hampshire NH $100 $100 annual report Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
New Jersey NJ $125 $75 annual report Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
New Mexico NM $50 None (no annual report) None 5–10 business days SOS →
New York NY $200 $9 biennial report + ~$1,000–$2,000 publication requirement Biennial 2–3 weeks SOS →
North Carolina NC $125 $200 annual report Annual 3–5 business days SOS →
North Dakota ND $135 $50 annual report Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
Ohio OH $99 None (no annual report for LLCs) None 3–5 business days SOS →
Oklahoma OK $100 $25 annual certificate Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
Oregon OR $100 $100 annual report Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
Pennsylvania PA $125 None (no annual report) None (decennial filing $70) 5–7 business days SOS →
Rhode Island RI $150 $50 annual report Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
South Carolina SC $110 None (no annual report) None 1–2 weeks SOS →
South Dakota SD $150 $50 annual report Annual 3–5 business days SOS →
Tennessee TN $300 $300 annual report (min.) Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
Texas TX $300 Franchise tax (min. $0 for <$1.23M rev.) Annual (franchise tax) 3–5 business days SOS →
Utah UT $54 $18 annual renewal Annual 3–5 business days SOS →
Vermont VT $125 $35 annual report Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
Virginia VA $100 $50 annual registration fee Annual 1–2 weeks SOS →
Washington WA $200 $60 annual report Annual 3–5 business days SOS →
Washington DC DC $220 $300 biennial report Biennial 1–2 weeks SOS →
West Virginia WV $100 $25 annual report Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
Wisconsin WI $130 $25 annual report Annual 5–7 business days SOS →
Wyoming WY $100 $60/yr annual report (min.) Annual 3–5 business days SOS →

Data sourced from official Secretary of State websites, accessed May 2026. Processing times are standard (non-expedited). Additional fees may apply for expedited processing, registered agent, or publication requirements.

What Most Founders Don't Know

1. New York's Hidden $1,000–$2,000 Publication Requirement

New York is the only state that requires LLCs to publish a formation notice in two local newspapers designated by the county clerk. In most NYC counties, this costs $1,500–$2,000+. Failure to complete publication within 120 days results in suspension of the LLC's authority to do business. NY DOS LLC Guide

2. California's $800/Year Minimum Franchise Tax — Even on $0 Revenue

California charges every LLC $800/year in minimum franchise tax regardless of revenue or profitability. Even if your California LLC has no income, you owe $800 by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year. LLCs with California revenue over $250,000 owe an additional fee up to $11,790/year. California FTB, LLC Taxes

3. Delaware's $300 Minimum Franchise Tax (Not Just Filing)

While Delaware's LLC filing fee is only $90, LLCs owe a minimum $300/year franchise tax. Delaware LLCs with substantial assets or authorized shares can owe significantly more. Delaware is ideal for VC-backed companies seeking investor familiarity — not necessarily cheapest for small businesses. Delaware Division of Corporations, Pay Taxes

4. Wyoming Is the Top Asset-Protection Jurisdiction

Wyoming was the first state to create the LLC in 1977 and offers the strongest charging order protection in the U.S. — creditors of a member cannot force dissolution or seizure of LLC assets. Wyoming has no state income tax, no inheritance tax, and no franchise tax. Wyoming Secretary of State, LLC Forms

5. Six States With Zero Annual Reporting Requirements

Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, and South Carolina do not require LLCs to file annual reports. This reduces ongoing administrative burden. Note: tax obligations and registered agent requirements still apply in all states. Sources: Individual Secretary of State websites (linked in table above)

Frequently Asked Questions

What state has the cheapest LLC filing fee in 2026?
Kentucky has the lowest LLC formation filing fee at $40 (one-time). Annual report fee is just $15. Ongoing costs are minimal, making it among the lowest total-cost states for LLC formation.
What state has the most expensive LLC formation?
Massachusetts has the highest filing fee at $500, plus a $500 annual report. California has the lowest filing fee ($70) but charges an $800/year minimum franchise tax regardless of revenue — making it expensive on an ongoing basis.
What is the average LLC filing fee across all 50 states?
The national average LLC filing fee across all 50 states and DC is approximately $131. This excludes annual fees, which range from $0 (Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico) to $800/year minimum (California).
Which states have no annual report requirement for LLCs?
Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (except a decennial filing) have no annual report filing requirement for LLCs. Note: tax obligations still apply.
Why is New York LLC formation so expensive?
New York requires LLCs to publish a formation notice in two local newspapers designated by the county clerk — a requirement that costs approximately $1,000–$2,000 in most counties, and up to $2,000+ in New York City. This is in addition to the $200 filing fee and $9 biennial report. The publication requirement is unique to New York and does not apply in any other state.
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