Free 50-State LLC Cost & Compliance Calculator

The one-time state filing fee to submit your Articles of Organization ranges from $35 in Montana to $520 in Massachusetts, with the national average falling between $100 and $150. However, the total cost of an LLC includes mandatory recurring annual report fees, state franchise taxes, and compliance requirements that vary significantly by state.

Most states charge an ongoing annual or biennial fee to maintain your LLC in good standing. This fee can be an annual report fee (e.g., $138.75 in Florida, $50 in Georgia), a flat franchise tax (e.g., $800 in California, $300 in Delaware), or a state business license renewal (e.g., $350 total in Nevada). A few states, including New Mexico, Missouri, Ohio, and South Carolina, charge $0 in ongoing annual Secretary of State fees.

Under California AB 85, new LLCs that register with the California Secretary of State receive an exemption from the $800 Annual Minimum Franchise Tax for their first tax year. However, starting in your second tax year, the mandatory $800 franchise tax is due annually by April 15 (using Form 3522), regardless of whether your business made a profit or generated zero revenue.

Under Section 206 of the New York Limited Liability Company Law, newly formed LLCs must publish a notice of formation in two county clerk-designated newspapers for six consecutive weeks within 120 days of formation. Afterwards, you must file a Certificate of Publication with a $50 state fee. Depending on the county (e.g., Manhattan vs. upstate counties like Albany), publication advertising costs range from $600 to over $1,500.

For the vast majority of small business owners, freelancers, and e-commerce founders, no. If you form an LLC in Delaware or Wyoming but conduct business, reside, or have clients in your home state, your home state requires you to register as a 'Foreign LLC.' This means paying formation and annual maintenance fees to both Wyoming/Delaware AND your home state, plus hiring commercial registered agents in both states—effectively doubling your costs.

Yes. In all 50 states, you or any business partner can act as your own registered agent for $0, provided you are at least 18 years old, have a physical street address in the state of formation (P.O. Boxes are not permitted), and are available during regular business hours to receive legal correspondence. Business owners generally hire commercial agents ($100–$150/year) to keep their personal home addresses off public records.

States levy strict late penalties if annual reports are missed. For example, Florida imposes a non-waivable $400 late fee on any annual report submitted after May 1. Continued delinquency results in administrative dissolution or revocation of your LLC, which strips away your personal liability shield and exposes your personal assets.

Yes. In states that charge mandatory annual report fees or franchise taxes (such as California's $800 tax, Delaware's $300 tax, or Maryland's $300 personal property report), the fees are required simply for the legal privilege of maintaining an active corporate charter, regardless of revenue, activity, or profit.

For initial one-time filing, Montana ($35), Kentucky ($40), and Arkansas ($45) are the cheapest. For long-term 5-year total cost of ownership, New Mexico ($50 formation, $0 annual fee), Missouri ($50 formation, $0 annual fee), and Ohio ($99 formation, $0 annual fee) are the most economical.

The '$0 formation' claim refers exclusively to the service company waiving their internal preparation fee. You are still legally required to pay the mandatory state filing fee directly to the Secretary of State. Furthermore, these providers typically upsell registered agent renewals ($199–$300/yr), EIN procurement (which is free from the IRS), and operating agreement templates.