CostPrism
Business Updated June 2026

LLC Formation Cost Calculator

Calculate the total cost to form an LLC — including your state's filing fee, registered agent, and optional formation service — with 2026 state fee data.

National avg: $500
Range: $50 – $1,500
Used by 35,420 people

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What Affects the Cost?

1. State Filing Fee

The biggest LLC cost is your state's Articles of Organization filing fee. This ranges from $50 in New Mexico to $500 in Massachusetts. Most states charge $100–$150. Some states (CA, NY) have additional annual taxes or publication requirements that add $200–$2,000+/year.

2. Formation Service vs. DIY

You can file directly with your Secretary of State for just the filing fee. Formation services like Bizee ($0 + state fee), LegalZoom ($79+), and Registered Agents Inc. ($100+) handle paperwork and include registered agent service. DIY saves money but requires more time and knowledge.

3. Ongoing Annual Costs

Annual report fees: $0 (some states) to $500 (California minimum franchise tax is $800/year). Registered agent: $50–$300/year. Bookkeeping/accounting: $100–$500/month. Multi-state LLCs need to 'foreign qualify' in each state ($100–$300/state).

2026 Cost Reference Table

Type / Option Typical Cost Range
New Mexico (cheapest state fee) $50 filing + $125/yr registered agent
Wyoming (most popular for LLCs) $100 filing + $125/yr registered agent
Delaware (preferred by investors) $90 filing + $300/yr registered agent
California (most expensive) $70 filing + $800/yr min. franchise tax
Massachusetts $500 filing + $500/yr annual report
Bizee formation service $0 service fee + state fee + $119/yr RA

Frequently Asked Questions

LLC formation costs $50–$500 in state filing fees plus $50–$300/year for registered agent service. Most states charge $100–$150 to file. Formation services like Bizee charge $0 for the service (you pay the state fee) and include 1 year of registered agent for free.

Form your LLC in the state where you primarily do business — this avoids foreign qualification fees. If you have no physical location, Wyoming and New Mexico are popular for their low fees, strong privacy laws, and no state income tax. Delaware is preferred if you plan to raise venture capital.

Beyond formation: registered agent ($50–$300/year), annual report filing ($0–$500/year depending on state), and California's $800 minimum franchise tax. Add accounting/bookkeeping ($1,200–$6,000/year) and business insurance ($500–$2,000/year).

Form Your LLC Today

Bizee handles all paperwork for $0 + your state's filing fee. Includes 1 year free registered agent.

Form Your LLC with Bizee — From $0 + State Fee Compare LegalZoom LLC Packages

Tips Before You Start

  • ✓ Wyoming ($100) and New Mexico ($50) have the lowest fees — but form where you do business
  • ✓ Registered agent service costs $50–$300/year — required in every state
  • ✓ Annual reports are required in most states ($0–$500/year depending on state)
  • ✓ An operating agreement costs $50–$500 via a lawyer — many online services include it free
  • ✓ EIN (Employer ID Number) is free from IRS.gov — no need to pay a service for this

Cost by State — 2026

Based on national average pricing adjusted for local labor and material costs.