If you plan to launch a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the U.S. during 2025, money matters right from the start. You need to count both the one-time filing fee and the yearly upkeep bill that keeps your business legal.
Each state sets its own price tag, so knowing all the possible costs lets you plan your budget, stay in good standing, and even decide whether to form in your home state or somewhere else that offers a better deal.
In this handy guide, we explain LLC Cost in Every State including:
- One-time filing fees for every state
- Yearly or every-other-year maintenance and franchise taxes
- What to expect in 2025
- How to pick the best state
- Why costs matter for staying compliant and planning ahead
📊 LLC Filing Fees & Annual Costs by State (2025 Updated Table)
Here is the full breakdown of LLC costs per state, showing formation filing fees and recurring annual or biennial fees (such as annual reports, franchise taxes, or renewal costs).
| State | LLC Formation Fee | Annual/Biennial Fee | Notes |
| Alabama | $200 | $100/year | Annual report required |
| Alaska | $250 | $100/2 years | Biennial report due Jan 2 |
| Arizona | $85 | $0 | Annual report not required |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150/year | Annual report + franchise tax |
| California | $70 | $800/year + SOI biennially | One of the highest recurring fees |
| Colorado | $50 | $10/year | Cheapest recurring cost |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80/year | Annual report mandatory |
| Delaware | $160 | $300/year | Annual franchise tax only |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75/year | Due May 1 annually |
| Georgia | $100 | $50/year | Late fees apply after April 1 |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15/year | Due on LLC anniversary |
| Idaho | $100 | $0 | Only informational report required |
| Illinois | $150 | $75/year | Includes annual report |
| Indiana | $97 | $30/2 years | Online filing is cheaper |
| Iowa | $50 | $45/2 years | Biennial report required |
| Kansas | $160 | $50/year | Due by 15th day of 4th month after fiscal year-end |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15/year | Annual report required |
| Louisiana | $100 | $35/year | Must include updated agent info |
| Maine | $175 | $85/year | Annual report due June 1 |
| Maryland | $100 | $300/year | Personal property return also required |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500/year | Highest cost in the country |
| Michigan | $50 | $25/year | Simple online renewal |
| Minnesota | $50 | $0 | No fee but annual info update required |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 | Just a simple info report required |
| Missouri | $50 | $0 | No annual report at all |
| Montana | $35 | $20/year | Low-cost and minimal compliance |
| Nebraska | $105 | $10/2 years | Due on odd-numbered years |
| Nevada | $425 | $350/year | Includes business license |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100/year | Due annually April 1 |
| New Jersey | $125 | $75/year | Annual report required |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | No annual reporting required |
| New York | $205 | $9/2 years | Must also fulfill publication requirement |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200/year | Annual report + fees |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50/year | Annual report needed |
| Ohio | $99 | $0 | No report or annual fees |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $25/year | Simple filing each year |
| Oregon | $100 | $100/year | Due on anniversary date |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $7/year | Annual report reinstated in 2025 |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $50/year | Due on March 1 annually |
| South Carolina | $110 | $0 | No annual report unless taxed as a corp |
| South Dakota | $150 | $50/year | Annual report required |
| Tennessee | $300 | $300/year | Franchise tax based on members |
| Texas | $300 | $0 | Franchise tax may apply if revenue exceeds threshold |
| Utah | $70 | $20/year | One of the lowest total costs |
| Vermont | $125 | $35/year | Easy online compliance |
| Virginia | $100 | $50/year | Annual report due each year |
| Washington | $200 | $60/year | Due each year, includes state biz license |
| Washington D.C. | $99 | $300/2 years | Biennial report every 2 years |
| West Virginia | $100 | $25/year | Due July 1 each year |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25/year | Easy online renewal |
| Wyoming | $103.75 | $60/year | Also requires annual report |
📌 2025 Cost Highlights
- Formation fees can stretch from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts.
- Ongoing charges jump even more; a few states ask for nothing, yet California and Nevada can bill you $300 to $800 each year.
- Don’t forget hidden fees like publication fees in New York, business permits in Nevada, and Delaware’s franchise tax can pile on quick.
- No-repeat-cost states: Missouri, New Mexico, Mississippi, and Ohio; these charge nothing after the first filing.
- Budget-friendly options: Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, and Utah keep expenses low while still offering solid support.
- High-cost states: Four states often mentioned as pricey-but-popular homes for LLCs are Massachusetts, California, Nevada, and Delaware. Each attracts founders for its legal perks and investment climate.
How to Choose the Best State for Your LLC
Cost is important, but forming your LLC isn’t just about the filing fee.
✅ Form in Your Home State (If Operating Locally)
If you sell locally, hire help, or keep an office in your state, file there. Doing so spares you foreign-registration fees and the hassle of a second state s rules.
✅ Consider Business-Friendly States
Working online or from abroad? States like Wyoming, Delaware, and Florida welcome remote founders with strong privacy, solid asset shields, and easy compliance.
✅ Understand Ongoing Responsibilities
Remember, repeat fees come with paperwork, due dates, and legal upkeep. Miss an annual report and you might face late fines or even lose your LLC.
Why These Fees Matter to Founders
🎯 Startup Planning
Knowing both launch costs and recurring charges helps you sketch a realistic cash-flow plan.
🧾 Compliance & Penalties
States hit you with fines when filings or payments lag. For instance, Florida slaps on a $400 surcharge for a late annual report, while California automatically suspends active status.
🛡️ Legal Protection
Keeping up with state rules lets your LLC stay in good standing and keeps its shield of liability protection working for its owners.
🛠️ How Bizstartz Can Help
At Bizstartz, we guide new business owners-whether U.S. citizens or overseas founders-through the set-up and day-to-day care of U.S. LLCs, letting you focus on growth.
Here is how we make that easy:
✅ LLC Formation in All 50 States
From Wyoming to Florida or Delaware to Alaska, we prepare the forms, file with the right office, and check that you meet the newest state rules.
✅ Registered Agent Service
Every LLC must name a dependable registered agent. We fill that role so your company stays compliant and you never overlook important letters or deadlines.
✅ EIN & Tax Compliance Support
We walk you through the IRS request for an Employer Identification Number and explain the U.S. tax duties you will-and will not-have, making it easier for founders outside America.
✅ BOI Reporting, Annual Report & Renewals
Our team watches your states due dates, files annual reports, Beneficial Ownership Information forms, and franchise taxes, so your business stays in good standing.
✅ Honest Pricing & Real Help
There are no secret charges and no messy do-it-yourself puzzles. We lay out every dollar up front and stay at your side long after the paperwork is done.
➡️ Whether you’re launching your very first venture or taking an existing brand to new states, Bizstartz cuts wasted time, keeps you out of costly fines, and lets you put your energy where it really counts-growing your company.
🚀 Final Thoughts: Budgeting for Success in 2025
Launching an LLC is a smart move-but only if you plan for both the one-time and recurring costs. This guide has shown you what to expect, which states give you the biggest bang for your buck, and how to keep your company in good standing for years to come.
When you form your LLC with Bizstartz, you get
- No surprises
- Full compliance
- Friendly support-every step of the way
📞 Ready to start your U.S. business journey? Contact Bizstartz today and let us help you launch the right way.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What state charges the least to start an LLC?
Montana, Arkansas, and Colorado rank near the bottom thanks to small filing and renewal bills. Still, make sure you pick the place where you actually work, or you’ll end up paying for two registrations.
2. Which state is best if I am living overseas?
Wyoming usually tops the list for non-residents, offering low fees, strong privacy, no state income tax, and clear rules. Delaware remains a favorite when outside investors are in the mix.
3. What if I miss the yearly fee?
Your LLC loses good standing, the state slaps late penalties, and in some cases the business is wiped off the books without warning. Fixing that later can be tricky and expensive.
4. Can I form an LLC without being a U.S. citizen?
Absolutely! People who are not U.S. citizens can still set up an LLC entirely online. As long as you have a U.S. mailing address, a registered agent, and an Employer Identification Number (EIN), you can run your business from anywhere, open a U.S. bank account, and accept payments via Stripe or PayPal.
5. Is it better to use a company like Bizstartz or do it myself?
Sure, you can complete the paperwork yourself, but many new owners, especially non-residents, save time and headaches by hiring a service like Bizstartz. This way, you reduce the risk of missed deadlines, costly errors, or surprise legal problems.
