How Much Does an LLC Cost? 2026 Costs by State

The cost to form an LLC ranges from $50 to over $500, depending entirely on which state you file in. But the state fee is just the beginning. There are two types of LLC costs to understand: a one-time formation cost and ongoing annual costs. This guide breaks down both, including verified state fees for all 50 states and a clear look at what Brendat charges.

Quick Answer: What You Actually Pay:

• State filing fee (one-time): $50 to $500+ depending on your state
• Formation service fee (Brendat): $0 (Basic) to $899 (Premium)
• Registered agent (annual after year 1): $50 to $150/year
• Annual report or renewal fee: $0 to $800+/year depending on state
• Typical first-year total: $100 to $800 for most business owners

IN THIS GUIDE

1. How much does it cost to form an LLC?
2. State filing fees: all 50 states
3. How much does an LLC cost per year?
4. Optional LLC costs worth knowing
5. What does Brendat charge?
6. Cheapest states to form an LLC
7. Most expensive states
8. What You Can't Put in Your LLC Name
9. Frequently asked questions

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How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC?

Every LLC has two types of costs. Understanding both before you file prevents surprises.

The single biggest variable is your state filing fee. Everything else is more predictable once you know your state's requirements.

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State Filing Fees: All 50 States

These fees are verified from Brendat's order system as of August 2026. State fees change periodically: always confirm the current fee with your state's Secretary of State before filing.

LOWEST COST STATES: UNDER $100

MID-RANGE STATES: $100 to $199

HIGHER COST STATES: $200

📌 Important note
Fees above are verified from Brendat's system as of August 2026. State fees change periodically. Always confirm the current fee with your state's Secretary of State before filing. Annual fees shown are approximate: some states use tiered structures based on revenue or number of members.

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How Much Does an LLC Cost Per Year?

Once your LLC is formed, the ongoing annual cost is what determines the long-term expense. Annual costs vary more dramatically between states than formation fees do.

• Arizona and New Mexico: $0/year. No annual report required.
• Colorado: $10/year annual report.
• Oklahoma: $25/year: one of the lowest in the country.
• Georgia: $50/year annual registration, due April 1.
• Florida: $138.75/year annual report.
• Maryland: $300/year annual report, due April 15.
• Nevada: $350/year (Annual List plus Business License fee).
• California: $800 minimum franchise tax per year: plus an additional LLC fee on gross receipts above $250,000. Due even if the LLC earned nothing.
• Massachusetts: $500/year annual report.

You also pay for registered agent renewal after the first year: typically $50 to $150/year if using a professional service. Missing annual filings can cost far more than the fee itself. See our guide on what happens when LLC filings go stale.

⚠️ California warning
California charges a minimum $800 franchise tax every year, even if your LLC makes no money. This makes California one of the most expensive states for ongoing LLC maintenance despite its relatively low $70 formation fee. Factor this into your annual budget before forming in California.

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Optional LLC Costs Worth Knowing

These are not required to form your LLC, but many owners encounter them.

• Name reservation: $10 to $50: holds your LLC name before filing (30 to 120 days depending on state). Optional.
• Expedited filing: $50 to $500 extra: faster state processing. Useful in states with slow standard processing like Maryland (standard is 4 to 6 weeks).
• DBA registration: $10 to $50: required if you want to operate under a business name different from your LLC name. Brendat handles DBA filing in all 50 states.
• Business licenses: Varies by industry and location. Some businesses need federal, state, and local licenses on top of LLC registration.
• Trademark registration: $350 per class at the USPTO: protects your brand name federally. See Brendat's trademark service for details.
• Operating agreement: Included in Brendat's Beginner plan and above. Essential for banking and legal compliance: see our guide on what an operating agreement covers.

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What Does Brendat Charge to Form an LLC?

Brendat's service fee is completely separate from state fees and is listed transparently at checkout. Current Brendat pricing as of August 2026:

Choosing a name for your business often raises a common question: can your brand name differ from your official filing? The short answer is yes, and understanding the difference matters. See our breakdown of LLC name vs business name before you file.

💡 One-time fee only
Brendat charges a one-time service fee: no annual subscription, no recurring charges from Brendat. The only recurring costs are your state's annual report fee and registered agent renewal if you continue using Brendat as your agent after year one.

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Cheapest States to Form an LLC in 2026

If minimizing total cost is your priority: especially ongoing annual costs: these states offer the best value for most business owners.

• New Mexico: $50 to form, no annual report. The lowest ongoing cost of any state. Solid privacy protection. Good for online businesses with no physical presence requirement.
• Colorado: $50 to form, $10/year. Total first-year cost with Beginner plan: $209 plus $50 state fee.
• Arizona: $50 to form, no annual report if in Maricopa or Pima County. Good for Phoenix and Tucson businesses.
• Oklahoma: $100 to form, $25/year. One of the lowest annual fees in the country.
• Wyoming: $100 to form, $62/year minimum. Strong privacy protection at reasonable ongoing cost.

Important caveat
Forming in a "cheap" state when you live and operate in a different state usually costs more, not less. You would pay both the cheap state's annual fees and your home state's foreign LLC registration fees. For most small business owners, forming in the state where you live and work is the most cost-effective choice.

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Most Expensive States to Form an LLC

• Massachusetts: $500 formation fee, $500/year annual report. Highest combination of upfront and ongoing cost.
• California: $70 to form, but $800 minimum franchise tax every year regardless of revenue. Most expensive ongoing cost in the country.
• Tennessee: $300 to form, $300/year. High on both fronts.
• Texas: $300 formation fee. No annual report, but franchise tax applies to businesses over a certain revenue threshold.
• Nevada: $75 to form, but $350/year in combined Annual List and Business License fees makes ongoing cost higher than it appears.

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What You Can't Put in Your LLC Name

Every state blocks certain words in an LLC name. Before you file, make sure your name avoids these common restricted categories, or your formation can get rejected or delayed:

• Words that suggest a different entity type. You can't use "Corporation," "Corp," "Incorporated," or "Inc" in an LLC name, because those signal a corporation, not an LLC.
• Words that imply government affiliation. Terms like "FBI," "Treasury," "State Department," or "Federal" are off-limits because they suggest a connection to a government agency.
• Regulated-industry words that need approval. Words such as "Bank," "Banking," "Insurance," "Trust," "University," or "College," along with certain licensed-profession and medical titles, usually require extra paperwork or a license before a state will approve them.
• Anything misleading about your purpose. Your name can't imply you do something you're not licensed or registered to do.
• A name that's already taken. It has to be unique in your state, and it can't be confusingly similar to an existing registered business.

Your name also has to include an LLC designator: "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company." If your preferred brand name uses a restricted word or is already taken, a DBA is often the simplest way to still market under the name you want.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start an LLC?

The cost to start an LLC depends on your state. State filing fees range from $50 (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Michigan) to $500+ (Massachusetts). Brendat's service fee starts at $0 for the Basic plan or $149 for the Standard plan which includes EIN, registered agent, and operating agreement. Your total first-year cost is typically $50–$250 depending on state and plan.

What is the cheapest state to form an LLC?

For the lowest total ongoing cost, New Mexico is the winner: $50 to form and no annual report required. Colorado is close at $50 to form and $10/year. However, for most business owners, the cheapest state is the state where you already live and work, because forming out of state means paying fees in two states if you want to operate legally in your home state.

Is there a free way to form an LLC?

You can file directly with your state's Secretary of State for just the state fee with no service fee. You prepare the Articles of Organization yourself, obtain your EIN from the IRS (free), find your own registered agent, and handle all the paperwork. Brendat's Basic plan assists with the state filing at a $0 service fee: you only pay the state fee.

How much does an LLC cost per year?

Annual LLC costs vary by state. New Mexico and Arizona have no annual report fee. Oklahoma charges $25/year. Colorado charges $10/year. Maryland charges $300/year. California charges a minimum $800 franchise tax per year. Most states charge $50 to $200/year for the annual report. You also pay for registered agent renewal if using a professional service, typically $50 to $150/year.

How much does it cost to get an LLC in my state?

State filing fees range from $50 to $500+ depending on your state. See the state-by-state breakdown in this article for the verified formation fee and annual report fee for each state. Brendat shows the exact state fee for your state on the order page before checkout.

What is an initial report fee for an LLC?

Some states require an initial report shortly after LLC formation, separate from the annual report. California requires a Statement of Information within 90 days of formation ($20 fee). This is a one-time post-formation requirement, not an ongoing annual fee. Check your specific state's requirements after forming your LLC.

Does my EIN have to match my LLC name?

Your EIN is a number, so there's nothing to visually "match," but it is tied to your legal LLC name in IRS records, not your brand or DBA name. When you apply for an EIN, you use your official LLC name. If you later change your LLC's legal name, you notify the IRS but keep the same EIN. So your EIN follows your legal entity, while your customer-facing business name can be completely different.

Can an LLC own a business with a different name?

Yes. A single LLC can operate one or more businesses under different names by filing a DBA for each one. The LLC stays the legal owner, and each DBA is simply a registered trade name that sits under it. This lets you run multiple brands, bank accounts, and contracts through one LLC without forming a separate company for each.

What are common LLC naming mistakes?

The most common mistakes are: not checking name availability with the state before filing, leaving out the required "LLC" designator, picking a name too similar to an existing business, skipping a domain and trademark check, and choosing a name so narrow it doesn't fit the business as it grows. Another frequent one is operating under a different brand name without filing a DBA, which can create banking and contract problems later.

Does forming an LLC in Delaware or Wyoming save money?

Not necessarily, and often it costs more. If you actually live and do business in another state, you'll need to register your Delaware or Wyoming LLC as a "foreign LLC" in your home state, paying both states' fees. The only real advantage is if you're a non-US resident with no physical US presence, or if you're raising venture capital (Delaware). For most small business owners, forming in your home state is the most cost-effective choice.

The cost to form an LLC is one of the most straightforward business decisions you'll make. Pick a state that matches where you actually operate, choose the right service level, and factor in annual costs, not just the upfront fee. The total first-year cost for most business owners is between $149 and $450. After that, annual maintenance is typically under $200 in most states.

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Start Your LLC - Brendat Handles Everything

Basic plan starts at $0 + state fee. Beginner plan ($149 + state fee) includes EIN, registered agent, and operating agreement - no hidden fees, ever.

See Brendat's LLC Packages →

All 50 states · 100% accuracy guarantee · One-time fee — no annual service charges

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Further Reading:

• How to Convert a Sole Proprietorship into an LLC
• Can a Trust Own an LLC? (Everything You Need to Know)
• 5 Best States to Start an LLC for Non-US Residents