Official state fee data · Verified 2026-11-03
What does it really cost to start an LLC?
State filing fees are only the floor. We track every official cost — annual reports, franchise taxes, publication requirements — sourced from each Secretary of State and verified line by line.
Calculate my cost Browse 51 states
51 states + DC 186 official sources Independent · No filing service
First-year cost calculator
LIVE DATAPick a state, toggle the options — every number below is the official fee, not an estimate.
LLC filing fees by state — 2026
One-time formation fee plus the minimum you must pay every year to stay in good standing.
| STATE | FILING FEE | ONGOING MINIMUM |
|---|---|---|
| California | $70 | $20 biennial report + $800 franchise tax (minimum, FTB) |
| Delaware | $110 | no report + $400 annual LLC tax |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 annual report |
| New York | $200 | $9 biennial report |
| Texas | $300 | no report |
| Washington | $180 | $70 annual report |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25 annual report |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 annual report |
* figure from a secondary source while the official state page is being re-verified.
What makes up the real first-year cost
Three buckets. Most “free LLC” offers only mention the first one.
State filing fee
One-time, due at formation. $40–$500 depending on the state. This is the number every website quotes — and the only one most of them mention.
$40 – $500one-timeReports & franchise tax
Most states charge $0–$150 every year to stay active. CA stacks an $800 minimum franchise tax; DE $400/yr; four states charge nothing at all.
$0 – $800per yearPublication & extras
New York requires publishing in two newspapers (6 weeks, often $1,000+ in NYC). Registered agents and EINs are free if you do them yourself.
$0 – $2,000+where applicableEvery fee below is checked against the state source linked per row. Verified 2026-11-03. Fees change — we re-verify against state pages rather than copy old blog tables.
5 LLC myths that quietly cost real money
“Form in Delaware to save money.” “An LLC cuts your taxes.” “You need a lawyer.” — corrected with official state fee data. Read the 5 myths →