A sort of corporate entity known as an LLC, or Limited Liability Company, provides advantages like the legal protection of individual assets and pass-through taxation through a different corporation. According to the IRS, LLCs are one of the most common types of business formations in the U.S. today.
The reasons for that are their decreased (if not eliminated) personal liability and simple tax structure. Limited liability, taxation, and simplicity justify this popularity.
So, let us see what are the cheapest states to form an LLC in.
Perhaps you are one of the many Americans who aspire to open your own business. Whatever the driving force behind your decision to launch your dream, congrats on making the initial move. But you’ll quickly learn that launching a business is difficult and that it requires more than simply a cheap product or idea.
You’ll need a decent understanding of your state’s business ecosystem and investment expenses to create a successful Limited Liability Company (LLC), which is typically the easiest option to form a legal company. The legal fees to incorporate an LLC might differ significantly between states and affect how much it will cost you to launch your business.
If we only consider the price to form an LLC, Kentucky will be the least expensive state at $40 per LLC formation. However, there are other expenses in addition to the formation and maintenance fees when incorporating an LLC. The payments you should take into account when forming an LLC are:
- Depending on the state, formation costs range from $40 to $500
- Ongoing Costs of Maintenance
- Annual Fees and Taxes
The full list of the least expensive states to incorporate an LLC is as follows:
| State | LLC Filing Fee | LLC Annual Fee |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 (biannual) |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150 (annually) |
| Arizona | $50 | $0 |
| Alabama | $200 | $100 minimum (annually) |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80 (annually) |
| Colorado | $50 | $10 (annually) |
| California | $70 | $0 ( free until June 2023) |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15 (annually) |
| Georgia | $100 | $50 (annually) |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 (annually) |
| Delaware | $90 | $300 (annually) |
| Iowa | $50 | $45 (biannual) |
| Indiana | $95 | $30 (biannual) |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 (annually) |
| Idaho | $100 | $0 |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 (annually) |
| Kansas | $160 | $50 (annually) |
| Louisiana | $100 | $35 (annually) |
| Missouri | $50 | $0 |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 |
| Minnesota | $155 | $0 |
| Michigan | $50 | $25 (annually) |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500 (annually) |
| Maryland | $100 | $300 (annually) |
| Maine | $175 | $85 (annually) |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 (annually) |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200 (annually) |
| New York | $200 | $9 (biannual) |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 |
| New Jersey | $125 | $75 (annually) |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 (annually) |
| Nevada | $425 | $350 (annually) |
| Nebraska | $105 | $10 (biannual) |
| Oregon | $100 | $100 (annually) |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $25 (annually) |
| Ohio | $99 | $0 |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $50 (annually) |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $70 (per ten years) |
| South Dakota | $150 | $50 (annually) |
| South Carolina | $110 | $0 |
| Texas | $300 | $0 for most LLCs |
| Tennessee | $300 | $300 (annually) |
| Utah | $54 | $18 (annually) |
| Virginia | $100 | $50 (annually) |
| Vermont | $125 | $35 (annually) |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 (annually) |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25 (annually) |
| West Virginia | $100 | $25 (annually) |
| Washington DC | $99 | $300 (biannual) |
| Washington | $200 | $60 (annually) |
You are in a terrific position to create a low-cost LLC if you intend to launch a firm in one of the many states mentioned above. Of course, in comparison to the other 13 states, California and Delaware’s renewal fees are unreasonably higher.
As you set the groundwork for beginning your firm, extra elements and components that need your attention include:
- Choosing a business name
- Opening a business account
- Obtaining an EIN
- Choosing a registered agent
- Submitting articles of incorporation
Looking for a website to register an LLC?
We recommend Incfile. Over 800,000 businesses owners registered a company with Incfile Since 2004
Incfile offers a complete and affordable LLC registration package with easy and efficient process. Their knowledgeable customer service team is always available to assist, ensuring a professional and accurate registration. Choose Incfile for a stress-free LLC registration experience.
Some additional considerations to make when choosing the cheapest states to form an LLC:
Although there is a one-time formation or registration fee, maintenance fees are typically incurred annually or biannually, depending on the state where your LLC is formed.
These report costs are common in most states, and the state filing fees’ amount and frequency vary from one state to the next. Some states charge nothing for reports, some charge $100 for reports, and others like California charge higher report costs of up to $800 or even more.
You should research the state’s yearly reporting requirements before founding your LLC if you plan to register your LLC there. While forming an LLC might only cost you $40, ongoing expenses like upkeep and state income tax could run into the hundreds.
Despite what you may have read online or heard from well-meaning friends, your home state is typically the best state to form an LLC (i.e., the state where you currently reside). Even if you reside in a place with high state income taxes or state filing fees (California or Massachusetts), this is still likely to be the case.
Foreign versus domestic LLCs
When referring to LLCs, a state will regard an LLC as domestic if it was formed there. Thus, Arizona will see your LLC as a domestic LLC if it is formed there and you reside there.
States consider LLCs created in another state to have foreign LLC registration, meaning they were not created in the state in question. In our Arizona example, this means that if you reside in Arizona and decide to register your LLC in Nevada since you have heard that it is the greatest state to do so, Arizona will view your LLC as a foreign LLC.
While some states have lower formation fees, maintenance fees, and filing fees and taxes, you will have to ultimately register your LLC in the state where you do business – and pay franchise taxes there.
With no yearly reporting requirements, the lowest LLC state filing fees (together with Mississippi and Arizona), and improved privacy safeguards, New Mexico provides a trifecta of advantages.
But if New Mexico is not your home state, then this trifecta of advantages does not apply when deciding whether to form an LLC. Even if founding your LLC in New Mexico has its advantages—low filing fees, no reporting obligations, etc.—it’s still best to register your LLC there only if it’s your home state or if you only conduct business there.
Otherwise, you must still pay taxes and the LLC fees for the first filing process and appoint a representative in New Mexico.
FAQ about the cheapest states to form an LLC
What are the cheapest states to form an LLC in the United States?
Delaware, Nevada, and Wyoming are often the least expensive jurisdictions in which to incorporate an LLC in the United States. These states provide business-friendly regulations, affordable fees, and no state income tax on LLCs.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in each state?
Depending on the state, it might cost as little as $50 or as much as $500 to form an LLC. Whereas California and New York have hefty filing fees, Delaware and Nevada have minimal filing fees.
What are the annual fees for maintaining an LLC in each state?
Depending on the state, an LLC’s annual maintenance costs might range from nothing to several hundred dollars. Whereas California has a minimum yearly tax of $800, Delaware has a modest annual franchise tax of $300.
What are the tax benefits of forming an LLC in a particular state?
Depending on the state’s tax regulations, incorporating an LLC can have tax advantages there. Wyoming, for instance, does not impose a state income tax on LLCs, whereas Delaware grants tax benefits to LLCs with income earned outside of the state.
Can I form an LLC in a state where I don’t live or conduct business?
It is feasible to create an LLC in a state other than your home or place of business, yes. To receive legal and tax documents on your behalf, you must designate a registered agent who lives in the state.
Are there any drawbacks to forming an LLC in a state solely based on cost?
Indeed, establishing an LLC in a state-based simply on cost might have disadvantages. For instance, the state could not have the resources or infrastructure necessary for your firm, or its rules and regulations might not be friendly to your company.
How do I choose the best state to form my LLC based on cost and other factors?
You should take into account elements like the state’s business rules, taxes, fees, and infrastructure when deciding which state to register an LLC.
To choose the best course of action for your particular business requirements, you should also speak with a lawyer or tax expert.
Can I save money by using an online service to form my LLC in a cheaper state?
Sure, you can save money by creating an LLC in a less expensive state using an online provider. In comparison to using a lawyer or doing it yourself, these services often offer a quicker process and more affordable costs.
What are the legal and regulatory requirements for forming an LLC in a particular state?
Each state has its own set of rules and regulations governing how to create an LLC. A registered agent must be chosen, articles of incorporation must be submitted, and any applicable licenses or permits must be obtained.
What are the differences between forming an LLC in a state versus a different type of entity, such as a corporation or partnership?
The degree of personal liability protection, the tax structure, and the management structure are the key distinctions between creating an LLC and other entity forms like corporations or partnerships.
Although LLCs give you additional options in these areas, they might not be the ideal choice for all kinds of enterprises.
Conclusion on cheapest states to form an LLC
In a perfect world, your startup could develop wherever you want it to. But how easily you can access resources, how simple it is to run a firm, how successful it is, and how much it will cost to start out will all depend on the state you choose for your LLC.
It’s time to move on now that we’ve assisted you in determining the most affordable and advantageous states in which to launch your business.
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