LLC Cost Calculator: Your State's True 5-Year Cost
Formation fees get all the attention, but the recurring fees decide what an LLC actually costs. Pick a state and this calculator adds it up: the filing fee, every annual or biennial report through year five, and a flag for the franchise taxes that dwarf both. Every figure comes from the official fee schedules behind our state-by-state table.
| When | What | Cost |
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Mandatory state fees only, from official fee schedules (verified July 2026). Excludes optional costs (registered agent service, formation service fees, licenses) and income-based taxes beyond flat minimums. Fees change; confirm with the state before filing. Estimates, not legal or tax advice.
What the totals do and do not include
- Included: the mandatory state fees: formation filing plus each recurring report due in years one through five, using the standard online rates.
- Flagged but not totaled: income-based or conditional taxes (California's $800 annual franchise tax, Tennessee's franchise and excise minimums, Delaware's flat $300 annual tax) appear as a warning under the table because they depend on elections and income; where they apply, they usually dominate the math.
- Excluded: everything optional: registered agent service ($125 to $249 per year if you do not serve as your own), formation service fees, licenses, and expedite fees.
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Comparing formation services?
Every service pays these same state fees. We compare what they charge on top, and what the $0 tiers actually include.
See the comparisonFrequently asked questions
Why is my state's 5-year total so different from its neighbor's?
Recurring structure. A cheap filing with a $300 annual report (Maryland) costs far more over five years than an expensive filing with no report at all (Ohio, Missouri, New Mexico, Arizona, South Carolina, Alabama). The calculator makes the shape visible; the full table shows every state side by side.
Does this include the cost of a registered agent?
No, because it is optional: most states let you serve as your own for free. If you use a paid service, add $125 to $249 per year, which over five years often exceeds every state fee combined.
Why does California show a warning instead of an $800-a-year total?
The $800 is a franchise tax administered by the FTB, not a filing fee, and its timing interacts with tax years and elections. We flag it prominently rather than bury it in a total that would imply false precision. Budget for it: it applies regardless of income.
How current are these figures?
Verified against official fee schedules and statutes in July 2026, including recent changes most sources have not caught (Kansas's February 2026 fee cut; Louisiana's October 2026 increase, which the calculator flags). Fees change; confirm with your state before filing.
This calculator provides estimates of mandatory state fees for general education, not legal or tax advice, and excludes optional services and income-based taxes. Verify current fees with your state's filing office. Consult a professional about your situation.