US LLC Formation Cost by State 2026-27: First Year and Second Year Fees for All 50 States
Starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the United States is one of the fastest ways for entrepreneurs, freelancers, Amazon and Shopify sellers, and international founders to build a credible, liability-protected business. But the total cost of forming and maintaining an LLC is not the same in every state. State filing fees, annual report fees, and franchise taxes vary widely, and every LLC also needs a registered agent with a physical address in its state of formation.
This guide breaks down the first year and second year cost of a US LLC in all 50 states for 2026-27, and shows how Biz E-Formations Inc. helps you keep ongoing costs low with a flat $100/year Registered Agent and Business Address service available in all 50 states.
What Is an LLC?
An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, is a business structure recognized under state law that separates the business from its owners. This separation generally helps protect an owner's personal assets from many business debts and liabilities, although the extent of protection depends on applicable laws and individual circumstances. An LLC combines the operational simplicity of a sole proprietorship with liability protection similar to a corporation, which is why it remains the most popular structure for small and growing businesses.
Why Entrepreneurs Choose an LLC
- Limited personal liability protection
- Simple, flexible management structure
- Professional business image for banking, PayPal, and Stripe applications
- Open to both US residents and non-US residents in most states
- Flexible federal tax treatment depending on elections and eligibility
- Can be owned by one person (Single-Member LLC) or multiple owners (Multi-Member LLC)
- Relatively straightforward ongoing compliance compared with corporations
Can Non-US Residents Own a US LLC?
Yes. In most states, there is no requirement that an LLC owner be a US citizen or permanent resident. Non-resident owners must still comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including tax registration and reporting obligations such as an EIN, and in some cases an ITIN. Biz E-Formations Inc. assists entrepreneurs worldwide with formation, EIN registration, and ongoing compliance in all 50 states.
Every LLC Needs a Registered Agent
Regardless of which state you form in, every US LLC is legally required to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in that state to receive legal notices and government correspondence. Using a home address is not always practical, especially for non-resident owners, which is why most business owners use a professional registered agent service.
Biz E-Formations Inc. offers a Registered Agent plus Business Address service for a flat $100 per year, available in all 50 US states. This single flat rate applies whether your LLC is formed in Wyoming, Delaware, Florida, Texas, California, or any other state, so you always know your ongoing compliance cost in advance.
US LLC Cost by State 2026-27: Complete 50-State Table
The table below shows the one-time state filing fee, the recurring state annual/biennial report fee, and your first year total and second year total when using Biz E-Formations Inc.'s $100/year Registered Agent and Business Address service in every state. State government fees are set by each Secretary of State and may change; always confirm current fees with Biz E-Formations Inc. before filing.
| State | State Filing Fee | Annual Report / Next Year State Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $200 | $50/yr |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 (biennial) |
| Arizona | $50 | $0 |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150/yr |
| California | $70 | $20 (biennial) + $800 franchise tax/yr |
| Colorado | $50 | $10/yr |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80/yr |
| Delaware | $110 | $300 annual tax |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75/yr |
| Georgia | $100 | $50/yr |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15/yr |
| Idaho | $100 | $0 |
| Illinois | $150 | $75/yr |
| Indiana | $95 | $31 (biennial) |
| Iowa | $50 | $30 (biennial) |
| Kansas | $160 | $55/yr |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15/yr |
| Louisiana | $100 | $35/yr |
| Maine | $175 | $85/yr |
| Maryland | $100 | $300/yr |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500/yr |
| Michigan | $50 | $25/yr |
| Minnesota | $155 | $0 |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 |
| Missouri | $50 | $0 |
| Montana | $35 | $20/yr |
| Nebraska | $100 | $10 (biennial) |
| Nevada | $425 | $150 + $200 license/yr |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100/yr |
| New Jersey | $125 | $75/yr |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 |
| New York | $205 | $9 (biennial) |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200/yr |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50/yr |
| Ohio | $99 | $0 |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $25/yr |
| Oregon | $100 | $100/yr |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $70 (every 10 yrs) |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $50/yr |
| South Carolina | $110 | $0 |
| South Dakota | $150 | $50/yr |
| Tennessee | $300 | $300/yr |
| Texas | $300 | $0 (franchise tax over $2.47M revenue) |
| Utah | $59 | $20/yr |
| Vermont | $155 | $35/yr |
| Virginia | $100 | $50/yr |
| Washington | $200 | $60/yr |
| West Virginia | $100 | $25/yr |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25/yr |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60/yr (minimum) |
All figures are based on publicly available state fee schedules as of 2026 and are subject to change by each state government. A flat $100/year Registered Agent and Business Address fee from Biz E-Formations Inc. applies on top of these state fees in every state. Contact Biz E-Formations Inc. for a confirmed quote before filing.
Cheapest States to Form an LLC in 2026-27
If minimizing upfront cost is your priority, Montana, Kentucky, Arkansas, and a group of states charging $50 (Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, and New Mexico) offer the lowest state filing fees in the country. Several of these states, including Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, and New Mexico, also charge no annual report fee at all, which keeps ongoing costs to just your registered agent fee.
Most Expensive States to Form an LLC in 2026-27
Massachusetts, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas carry the highest one-time filing fees, while Massachusetts, California, and Nevada also carry the highest ongoing annual costs due to flat annual report fees or franchise taxes. Businesses expecting to operate in a specific state should generally form their LLC there rather than choosing a "cheap" state, to avoid paying registered agent and compliance fees in two states at once.
Tax-Free States for LLC Owners (No State Income Tax)
The following states charge no state personal income tax, which matters most for Single-Member LLC owners who pay tax on business profits at the individual level. Combined with Biz E-Formations' flat $100/year Registered Agent, these states offer some of the leanest ongoing costs in the country.
| Tax-Free State | State Filing Fee | Annual Report / Next Year State Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $100 | $60/yr (minimum) |
| Nevada | $425 | $150 + $200 license/yr |
| Texas | $300 | $0 (under $2.47M revenue) |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75/yr |
| South Dakota | $150 | $50/yr |
| Washington | $200 | $60/yr |
| Tennessee | $300 | $300/yr |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100/yr |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 (biennial) |
Best pick for most non-resident owners: Wyoming. It combines no state income tax with one of the lowest annual state fees ($60/yr minimum) of any tax-free state on this list.
Lowest-Cost States to Form an LLC (Lowest Filing + Annual Fees)
If your priority is the lowest possible state fees rather than income tax status, these states lead the country on cost:
| Low-Cost State | State Filing Fee | Annual Report / Next Year State Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | $35 | $20/yr |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15/yr |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150/yr |
| Arizona | $50 | $0 |
| Missouri | $50 | $0 |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15/yr |
| Colorado | $50 | $10/yr |
| Michigan | $50 | $25/yr |
Best pick for lowest ongoing cost: Arizona, Missouri, Mississippi, or New Mexico — each charges $0 in recurring state fees, so your only yearly cost after formation is the $100/year Registered Agent.
Popular States for Non-US Residents
| State | State Filing Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $100 | Privacy and low ongoing costs |
| Delaware | $110 | Investors and larger businesses |
| New Mexico | $50 | Lowest ongoing compliance |
| Florida | $125 | Small and eCommerce businesses |
| Texas | $300 | Businesses operating physically in Texas |
What's Included in Biz E-Formations' $100/Year Registered Agent Service
- A dedicated business address in your state of formation
- Registered agent service to receive legal and government correspondence
- Available in all 50 US states at the same flat rate
- Support for filing reminders on your state's annual or biennial report deadline
- Available as a standalone renewal or bundled with new LLC formation
Can an LLC Open a US Business Bank Account?
Many US banks and fintech companies allow eligible LLCs to apply for business bank accounts. Documentation requirements vary by institution and generally include formation documents, an EIN, identity verification, and compliance checks. Approval is always subject to the financial institution's own policies.
Can an LLC Use PayPal, Stripe, and Other Payment Processors?
Many LLCs use payment platforms such as PayPal, Stripe, and other merchant service providers to accept online payments. Each provider has its own onboarding and verification requirements. Having a properly formed LLC, an EIN, and a valid registered agent address can help streamline the verification process, though final approval is determined solely by the payment provider.
Why Choose Biz E-Formations Inc.?
Biz E-Formations Inc. helps entrepreneurs worldwide establish compliant US businesses with transparent pricing and professional support throughout the registration and compliance process.
- US LLC Formation in all 50 states
- EIN Registration Assistance
- ITIN Application Support
- Registered Agent and Business Address — flat $100/year in every state
- Annual/biennial report filing reminders
- Business Compliance Guidance
- Dedicated Customer Support
Learn more about Biz E-Formations Inc. or contact our team to get a formation and compliance quote for your chosen state.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to register a US LLC in 2026-27?
State filing fees range from about $35 (Montana) to $500 (Massachusetts). See the full 50-state table above for exact first year and second year totals, or visit our USA Company Formation page for a personalized quote.
2. Does Biz E-Formations offer a Registered Agent in every state?
Yes. Biz E-Formations Inc. provides a Registered Agent and Business Address service for a flat $100 per year in all 50 US states.
3. Can a non-US resident own a US LLC?
Yes. Many non-US residents legally own US LLCs, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements. See the IRS guidance on Limited Liability Companies for federal tax obligations, and our EIN Registration service to get started.
4. What is the cheapest state to form an LLC?
Montana has the lowest state filing fee at roughly $35, followed by Kentucky and Arkansas. However, forming in your home state or the state where you actually operate is usually the most cost-effective long-term choice. Compare official fees on your target state's Secretary of State website, for example the Montana Secretary of State business filings page.
5. What is the most expensive state to form an LLC?
Massachusetts has the highest filing and annual report fees, followed by Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. See the full 50-state fee table above for a side-by-side comparison.
6. Can my LLC open a US business bank account?
Many banks and fintech providers offer business accounts to eligible LLCs, subject to each institution's own documentation and compliance requirements. Read more on our Business Banking Setup page, or review the U.S. Small Business Administration's guide to opening a business bank account.
7. What services does Biz E-Formations Inc. provide?
We assist with US LLC formation in all 50 states, EIN registration, ITIN applications, Registered Agent and Business Address service at $100/year, and ongoing compliance support. Visit our About Us page to learn more about our team.
Forming Outside the US?
Biz E-Formations Inc. also registers companies outside the United States, including UK company formation, Canada company formation, UAE free zone company formation, Singapore company formation, and Hong Kong company formation. Need hosting for your business website too? See our VPS hosting plans.
Conclusion
A US LLC remains one of the most flexible business structures for entrepreneurs in 2026-27. State filing fees and annual costs vary significantly, but every LLC shares one requirement: a registered agent with a physical business address in its state of formation. With Biz E-Formations Inc.'s flat $100/year Registered Agent and Business Address service available in all 50 states, you always know your ongoing compliance cost in advance, no matter which state you choose to register in.
