Starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) comes with different costs depending on the state where you form your business. These costs include filing fees, annual maintenance fees, and other compliance-related expenses. Understanding these costs is crucial for entrepreneurs looking to budget their business expenses efficiently.
LLC Filing Fees: What You Need to Know
When you start an LLC, you must pay a one-time LLC filing fee to the state. This fee is part of the initial cost of forming your LLC and varies significantly from state to state. Some states have relatively low fees, while others can be quite expensive. The filing fee is required to officially register your LLC and obtain legal recognition from the state government.
LLC Annual Fees and Ongoing Costs
Once your LLC is established, you will likely need to pay an annual fee (or biennial fee in some states) to keep your LLC in good standing. This is also known as the LLC annual filing fee or LLC maintenance fee. The amount and due date for this fee vary depending on the state.
These fees must be paid regardless of whether your LLC is active, generating revenue, or inactive. Failing to pay these fees can result in penalties, fines, or even administrative dissolution of your LLC by the state.
Why Do States Charge Annual LLC Fees?
Annual LLC fees help states maintain updated records of business entities operating within their jurisdiction. These fees contribute to regulatory oversight and ensure that LLCs remain compliant with state laws.
What Happens if You Don’t Pay Your LLC Annual Fee?
If you fail to pay the annual fee or file the required annual report, your LLC may face consequences such as:
- Late fees and penalties
- Losing good standing status
- Involuntary dissolution by the state
- Difficulty in securing business loans or contracts
LLC Fees by State (2025)
Below is a breakdown of LLC filing fees and annual fees across different states. The annual fee is mandatory for maintaining compliance.
| State | LLC Filing Fee | LLC Annual Fee | Due Date | Payable To & Form Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $200 | $50 minimum | April 15 | AL Department of Revenue, Initial Business Privilege Tax Return |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 | Biennial, January 2 | AK Department of CCED, Biennial Report |
| Arizona | $50 | $0 | No annual fee | N/A |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150 | May 1 | AR Secretary of State, Franchise Tax Report |
| California | $70 | $800 + $20 | Various | CA Franchise Tax Board, Annual LLC Franchise Tax + Statement of Information |
| Colorado | $50 | $10 | Anniversary month | CO Secretary of State, Periodic Report |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80 | March 31 | CT Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Delaware | $90 | $300 | June 1 | DE Dept. of State, Annual Franchise Tax |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 | May 1 | FL Department of State, Annual Report |
| Georgia | $100 | $50 | April 1 | GA Secretary of State, Annual Registration Fee |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15 | Anniversary date | HI Business Registration Division, Annual Report |
| Idaho | $100 | $0 | Anniversary month | ID Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 | Anniversary month | IL Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Indiana | $95 | $30 | Biennial | IN Secretary of State, Business Entity Report |
| Iowa | $50 | $30 | April 1 (odd years) | IA Secretary of State, Biennial Report |
| Kansas | $160 | $50 | April 15 | KS Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 | June 30 | KY Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Louisiana | $100 | $35 | Anniversary month | LA Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Maine | $175 | $85 | June 1 | ME Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Maryland | $100 | $300 | April 15 | MD State Dept. of Assessments, Personal Property Tax |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500 | Anniversary month | MA Secretary of the Commonwealth, Annual Report |
| Michigan | $50 | $25 | February 15 | MI Dept. of LARA, Annual Report |
| Minnesota | $155 | $0 | December 31 | MN Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 | April 15 | MS Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Missouri | $50 | No annual fee | N/A | N/A |
| Montana | $35 | $20 | April 15 | MT Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Nebraska | $100 | $13 | April 1 (odd years) | NE Secretary of State, Biennial Report |
| Nevada | $425 | $350 | Anniversary month | NV Secretary of State, Annual List of Members + Business License |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 | April 1 | NH Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| New Jersey | $125 | $75 | Anniversary month | NJ Department of Treasury, Annual Report |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | No annual fee | N/A |
| New York | $200 | $9 | Biennial, anniversary month | NY Department of State, Biennial Statement |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200 | April 15 | NC Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 | November 15 | ND Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Ohio | $99 | $0 | No annual fee | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $25 | Anniversary month | OK Secretary of State, Annual Certificate |
| Oregon | $100 | $100 | Anniversary month | OR Secretary of State, Annual Report |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $7 | September 30 | PA Department of State, Annual Report |
How Commenda Can Help
Navigating LLC formation and compliance requirements can be time-consuming. Commenda simplifies the process by offering:
- Hassle-free LLC registration in any state
- Ongoing compliance monitoring to avoid penalties
- Filing assistance for annual reports and tax obligations
Let Commenda handle your LLC formation and compliance so you can focus on growing your business. Get started today!
