How Much Does an LLC Cost? (2026): State Fees + the DIY Path
Last reviewed October 1, 2026 · state fees resolve from cited sources at build — FIGURE-TBD until then
Evidence base: every fee figure below is a marked slot (FIGURE-TBD) resolved from cited state fee schedules — no invented numbers. How we evaluate
An LLC's unavoidable cost is your state's filing fee — that's it. Everything beyond it is either a state requirement you can handle yourself (a registered agent, an annual report) or an optional service fee from a formation company that files the paperwork for you. The honest split this page leads with: the service fees are convenience, not a requirement — you can form the LLC yourself for the state fee plus postage, and this page shows both paths.
The cost stack
| Component | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (articles of organization) | FIGURE-TBD by state | The one unavoidable cost; varies widely by state |
| Registered agent | FIGURE-TBD / or free (self) | Required; you can act as your own in many states |
| Annual report / franchise fee | FIGURE-TBD by state | Many states require it; some don't |
| Formation-service fee (optional) | FIGURE-TBD | ZenBusiness/Northwest/LegalZoom-class — optional convenience |
| EIN | Free (IRS) | Always free directly from the IRS |
State-specific figures resolve from cited sources at build — no invented numbers. (The EIN is the one priced fact here: free from the IRS.)
Look up your state's total → (calculator: state selector → filing fee + agent + annual-report total)
The DIY path (do it yourself for the state fee)
You do not need a service to form an LLC. The DIY path:
- Pick your state (usually where you'll operate — not automatically Delaware). FIGURE-TBD state guidance at build.
- File the articles of organization with the state's business office; pay the state filing fee (FIGURE-TBD by state).
- Get an EIN from the IRS — free, directly from the IRS (never pay a third party for this).
- Registered agent: be your own if your state allows an in-state address and you're reachable during business hours; otherwise a commercial agent is FIGURE-TBD.
- Annual report/franchise fee: calendar the state's deadline — FIGURE-TBD by state.
Total DIY cost = the state filing fee (+ any mandatory annual-report fee), and nothing to a formation company. That's the baseline every “LLC cost” number should be measured against.
When paying a formation service is worth it
- You want it done end-to-end — the service files the documents, often bundles the first year of registered-agent service, and handles deadline reminders.
- You're forming in a state where you don't live — a commercial registered agent becomes necessary, and a bundled service can be simpler.
- You value the compliance calendar — annual-report reminders and change-of-address handling.
The honest caveat: the service fee is for convenience and compliance handling, not for anything the state requires you to buy. Compare a service's total against the DIY state fee + (agent if needed) + (annual report) — the sum of the state costs is your DIY floor. Service pricing: FIGURE-TBD (ZenBusiness/Northwest/LegalZoom-class; affiliate slots dashed-PENDING).
What actually drives LLC cost
- Your state's filing fee — the base cost (varies widely; FIGURE-TBD).
- Registered agent — free if self, or a yearly commercial fee.
- Annual report/franchise fee — recurring, state-dependent.
- Optional service fee — convenience only.
- Any state-specific add-ons — publication requirements, expedited filing, etc. (FIGURE-TBD).
FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC?
At minimum, your state's filing fee (FIGURE-TBD by state) — plus a registered agent (free if you act as your own) and any required annual report. The IRS EIN is free. Formation-service fees are optional.
Can I form an LLC myself without a service?
Yes — file the articles of organization with your state, get a free EIN from the IRS, and handle the registered-agent and annual-report requirements yourself. That's the DIY path; the state fee is the only unavoidable cost.
Do I need a registered agent, and does it cost anything?
A registered agent is required, but in many states you can be your own (an in-state address and business-hours availability). A commercial agent's fee is FIGURE-TBD — only needed if you can't self-serve or form out-of-state.
What's the cheapest state to form an LLC?
Filing fees vary by state — the cheapest is a specific-state question answered by the FIGURE-TBD state table at build. Note: forming in a cheap state you don't operate in can create extra filings elsewhere, so "cheapest" isn't automatically "best."
Do I need an EIN, and does it cost anything?
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is free directly from the IRS — never pay a third party for it. Many single-member LLCs still get one for banking and tax purposes.
Is a formation service worth it?
It's convenience and compliance handling, not a requirement — worth it if you want end-to-end filing or an out-of-state registered agent; skippable if you're comfortable filing yourself. Compare its fee against your state's DIY total (FIGURE-TBD).
Related guides
- Mobile detailing cost — a business the LLC wraps
- How we evaluate — our sourcing and figure discipline
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through some links on this page, at no cost to you — it never changes what we write.
Sources
- Wave-8 topic selection (keyword figures, Pick 2) — portfolio/research/incomegenius/ig-wave8-topic-selection-2026-09-30.md (OpenSEO get_keyword_metrics, retrieved 2026-09-30).
- FIGURE-TBD markers: state filing fees, agent fees, annual-report fees, and service fees are all placeholders — they resolve from cited state fee schedules + a formation-service cost dataset at build; never estimated here. EIN is free (IRS) — a fact, not a placeholder.
- Affiliate status: ZenBusiness/Northwest/LegalZoom dashed-PENDING (preflight l7NeqoongEBo — no approvals); approved NordVPN/NordPass/Surfshark live but not forced onto an off-lane page.
The cost term is the page target (KD 15); the umbrella head (“how to start an LLC,” KD 26) is out-of-band — stated, not chased. No invented numbers; FIGURE-TBD discipline held.