FORMATIONHUB
Business Formation Services

LLC Formation Costs and Filing Fees

Select your filing state to get started:

Is this your first time forming an LLC?

Have you started doing business?

How It Works

How it works:

  1. 1.Choose your state of formation
  2. 2.Fill out the online application
  3. 3.Pay state fees
  4. 4.Receive your formation documents

The Process of LLC Application

The cost of forming an LLC isn't a single number. There's the state filing fee, which is mandatory and goes directly to your state's filing agency. Then there are optional costs that show up depending on how you set up the LLC: a registered agent service if you don't have a physical address in your formation state, an EIN application if you'd rather not handle the IRS paperwork yourself, and an Operating Agreement if you want one drafted instead of using a template.

What makes LLC costs feel unpredictable is that filing fees vary widely between states. Some states keep them low to attract new businesses. Others charge significantly more, sometimes because they bundle in additional services or because the state's overall business compliance is more elaborate. The cheapest state to form in isn't always the cheapest state to operate in once you account for annual reports, franchise taxes, and ongoing requirements.

FormationHub bundles the formation work into a single transparent process. We prepare your formation documents, file with the right state agency, and deliver your stamped paperwork. State filing fees pass through to the state. Optional add-ons are clearly priced before you commit. There are no surprises buried in fine print, which is the part that frustrates owners most when they shop around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about LLC formation

An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, is a business structure that separates you personally from your business. Owners are called members, and an LLC can have one member or many. Most small business owners pick it because it's simpler to run than a corporation while still giving you legal separation between you and the business.
The main reason people form an LLC is liability protection. If your business runs into debt or gets sued, your personal assets, including your home, savings, and car, are generally separate from the business. Only what's inside the LLC is on the line. The protection isn't bulletproof (you still have to keep business and personal finances separate and file properly), but it's a meaningful legal wall you don't get as a sole proprietor.
By default, an LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity. The business itself doesn't pay federal income tax. Profits and losses pass through to the members and show up on their personal returns, which avoids the double taxation a C-corp can face. LLCs can also elect S-corporation tax treatment if it fits the owners' situation. Talk to your tax advisor about which option works best for you.
The mandatory cost is your state's filing fee, which goes straight to the state and not to FormationHub. On top of that, optional costs include a registered agent service if you can't be your own, an EIN application (free if you do it yourself with the IRS), and an Operating Agreement if you want one drafted. Total cost depends on which optional pieces you want and which state you form in.
Each state sets its own fees through its legislature, and the amounts reflect different priorities. States that want to attract small businesses often keep fees low. States with heavier business filing infrastructure or that fund public services from these fees charge more. Fee schedules can change with new legislation, so always check the current amount before budgeting.
Yes, in most states. The most common are annual or biennial report fees, registered agent renewal fees if you use a service, and any state-level franchise taxes or business privilege taxes. A few states require very little ongoing maintenance, including Ohio, Missouri, and New Mexico, which don't require annual reports at all.
Only if you don't qualify or don't want to serve as your own. Every LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in the formation state who's available during business hours. If that's you, you can skip the cost. If not, FormationHub offers registered agent service in all 50 states for a flat yearly fee.
Not entirely. Every state requires a filing fee, and that fee can't be waived. What you can avoid are extra service fees by handling the filing yourself directly with the state, applying for your EIN with the IRS at no cost, and serving as your own registered agent if you qualify.
Almost never, unless you actually live or operate there. Forming in a low-fee state when you operate elsewhere usually means registering as a foreign LLC in your home state, which means paying twice and tracking compliance in two places. The savings tend to evaporate.
Articles of Organization (or your state's equivalent) prepared in your state's format, filing with the right state agency, tracking of approval, an Operating Agreement template, and a state-specific compliance checklist. Optional add-ons available at order time include EIN registration, registered agent service, and expedited filing where the state offers it.
Not from us. The state fee is shown before you check out, and any add-ons are explicit. Where owners get surprised later is at the state level: annual reports, registered agent renewals, and franchise taxes hit on different schedules in different states. We send reminders before each one is due so they don't catch you off guard.
Generally yes. Business formation costs such as state filing fees and professional services to start your business are usually deductible as startup costs on your business tax return. Talk to a tax professional about how the rules apply to your specific situation, especially in your first year.

FormationHub provides document preparation and filing services for business formations. We are not a law firm, accounting firm, or government agency, and we do not offer legal, tax, or financial advice. The information on this site is for general informational purposes only. Our service handles the preparation and submission of your LLC formation documents to the appropriate state authority on your behalf. FormationHub operates independently and is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or connected to any Secretary of State office or government body. We strongly recommend consulting a qualified attorney or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.