The cost to start an LLC ranges from $50 to over $500 — depending entirely on which state you file in. But state fees are just the beginning. There are also annual fees, registered agent costs, and optional services to consider. This guide breaks down every LLC cost clearly — so you know exactly what you're paying before you file.
IN THIS GUIDE
- How much does it cost to form an LLC?
- State filing fees — all 50 states
- Ongoing annual LLC costs
- Optional LLC costs worth knowing
- How much does Brendat charge?
- Cheapest states to form an LLC
- Most expensive states to form an LLC
- Frequently asked questions
How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC?
Every LLC has two types of costs — a one-time formation cost and ongoing annual costs. Here's the complete picture:
LLC Cost Breakdown — What You Actually Pay
State filing fee (one-time) ---------------------------------$50 – $500+
Formation service fee (optional)--------------------------$0 – $299
Registered agent (annual) -------------------------------- $0 – $150/yr
Annual report / renewal fee ------------------------------ $0 – $800+/yr
Operating agreement (optional)--------------------------$0 with Brendat Standard
EIN from IRS ---------------------------------------------- Free (or $0 with Brendat Standard)
Typical first-year total------------------------------------- $100 – $800
The single biggest variable is your state filing fee — which can be as low as $50 (Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico) or as high as $500+ (Massachusetts). Everything else is more predictable.
State Filing Fees — Popular States (Verified from Brendat System)
These are the exact state fees charged when forming an LLC through Brendat — verified directly from our order system in June 2026:
💚 Lowest Cost States — Under $100
Colorado--------------------------------------------------------------------------- $50
Michigan--------------------------------------------------------------------------- $50
New Mexico------------------------------------------------------------------------$50
Arizona ----------------------------------------------------------------------------$50
California-------------------------------------------------------------------------- $70
Utah-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $72
Nevada-----------------------------------------------------------------------------$75
Delaware---------------------------------------------------------------------------$90
🟡 Mid-Range States — $100 to $199
Georgia--------------------------------------------------------------------------- $100
Maryland------------------------------------------------------------------------- $100
Oklahoma-------------------------------------------------------------------------$100
Wyoming------------------------------------------------------------------------- $100
Florida-----------------------------------------------------------------------------$125
Illinois-----------------------------------------------------------------------------$150
New York--------------------------------------------------------------------------$200
🔴 Higher Cost States — $200+
Texas--------------------------------------------------------------------------$300
Massachusetts -------------------------------------------------------------------------- $500+
📌 Important note
State fees change periodically. The fees above are verified from Brendat's system as of June 2026. Always confirm the current fee with your state's Secretary of State website before filing.
Ongoing Annual LLC Costs
Forming your LLC is a one-time cost. But keeping it in good standing requires annual payments in most states. Here's what to expect:
Annual Report Fees
Most states require LLCs to file an annual report and pay a renewal fee. These vary significantly:
- Arizona, New Mexico: No annual report required — $0/year
- Oklahoma: $25/year — one of the lowest in the US
- Colorado: $10/year
- Georgia: $50/year
- Florida: $138.75/year
- Maryland: $300/year (due April 15th)
- California: $800 minimum franchise tax per year
- Nevada: $350/year (Annual List + Business License)
⚠️ 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 having a relatively low formation fee of $70.
Registered Agent Fees
Every LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the formation state. If you use a professional registered agent service, expect to pay $50–$150/year after the first year. Brendat's Standard and Premium plans include registered agent service for the first year.
Start Your LLC — Brendat Handles Everything
Basic plan starts at $0 + state fee. Standard plan ($149 + state fee) includes EIN, registered agent, and operating agreement — no hidden fees, ever.
All 50 states · 100% accuracy guarantee · One-time fee — no annual service charges
Optional LLC Costs Worth Knowing
These aren't required but many LLC owners encounter them:
- Name reservation: $10–$50 — holds your LLC name before filing (optional, 30–120 days depending on state)
- Expedited filing: $50–$500 extra — faster state processing. Highly recommended in Maryland (standard is 4-6 weeks)
- DBA registration: $10–$50 — required if you want to operate under a different business name than your LLC. Brendat handles DBA filing in all 50 states.
- Business licenses: Varies — depends on your industry and location. Some businesses need federal, state, and local licenses
- BOI filing: Free to file with FinCEN directly — or included in Brendat's Premium plan
- Trademark registration: $250–$350 per class at the USPTO — protects your brand name federally. Learn about trademark registration with Brendat.
- Business bank account: Free to open at most banks — requires your EIN and formation documents
How Much Does Brendat Charge to Form an LLC?
Brendat's service fee is completely separate from state fees — and always listed transparently at checkout. Here's exactly what each plan costs:
Basic Plan — $0 Brendat Service Fee
Articles of Organization filing ------------------- ✅ Included
Business name availability check ------------------- ✅ Included
Digital document delivery ------------------- ✅ Included
EIN, registered agent, operating agreement ------------------- Not included
You pay ------------------- $0 + state fee only
Standard Plan — $149 Brendat Service Fee ★ Most Popular
Everything in Basic ------------------- ✅ Included
EIN from IRS ------------------- ✅ Included
Operating Agreement ------------------- ✅ Included
Registered Agent (1st year) ------------------- ✅ Included
Lifetime compliance alerts ------------------- ✅ Included
You pay ------------------- $149 + state fee
Premium Plan — $299 Brendat Service Fee
Everything in Standard ------------------- ✅ Included
Expedited filing (3-5 days) ------------------- ✅ Included
Domain name + Business email ------------------- ✅ Included
Google My Business setup ------------------- ✅ Included
Basic multi-page website ------------------- ✅ Included
IRS Form 2553 (S-Corp election) ------------------- ✅ Included
You pay ------------------- $299 + state fee
💡 One-time fee only
Brendat charges a one-time service fee — no annual subscription, no recurring charges. Unlike some competitors who charge yearly "compliance" or "registered agent" renewal fees automatically, Brendat's formation fee is a one-time payment.
Cheapest States to Form an LLC in 2026
If minimizing cost is your priority — especially ongoing annual costs — these states offer the best value:
- New Mexico: $50 to form, no annual report — the cheapest ongoing cost of any state
- Colorado: $50 to form, $10/year annual report — total first-year cost with Brendat Standard: $209
- Arizona: $50 to form, no annual report (if in Maricopa/Pima County) — great for Phoenix/Tucson businesses
- Oklahoma: $100 to form, $25/year — one of the lowest annual fees in the US
- Wyoming: $100 to form, $62/year minimum — strong privacy protection at low cost
Most Expensive States to Form an LLC
These states have higher costs — either upfront or ongoing:
- Massachusetts: $500+ filing fee — highest in the US
- California: $70 to form, but $800 minimum franchise tax every year — most expensive ongoing
- Texas: $300 filing fee — high upfront cost, but no annual report fee
- Nevada: $75 to form, but $350/year in Annual List + Business License fees
- Maryland: $100 to form, $300/year annual report due April 15th
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 cost, New Mexico is the winner — $50 to form and no annual report required. Colorado is a close second at $50 to form and just $10/year. If you also want strong privacy protection, Wyoming ($100 to form, $62/year) offers the best balance of cost and asset protection.
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 — no service fee. However, you'll need to prepare the Articles of Organization yourself, obtain your own EIN from the IRS, find your own registered agent, and handle all the paperwork. Brendat's Basic plan gives you filing assistance at $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 — $0/year. Oklahoma charges $25/year. Colorado charges $10/year. Maryland charges $300/year. California charges a minimum $800 franchise tax per year. You'll also pay for registered agent renewal after the first year — typically $50-$150/year if using a service.
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.
What is an initial report fee for an LLC?
Some states require an "initial report" filing shortly after LLC formation — separate from the annual report. States like California require an Initial 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.
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.
Start Your LLC — Brendat Handles Everything
Basic plan starts at $0 + state fee. Standard plan ($149 + state fee) includes EIN, registered agent, and operating agreement — no hidden fees, ever.
All 50 states · 100% accuracy guarantee · One-time fee — no annual service charges
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About the Author
Brendat Editorial publishes practical guidance for founders navigating business formation, compliance, and growth in the U.S.