The state filing fee is only part of the cost. To choose smartly you need to compare the full package: filing, annual report, franchise tax, Registered Agent, and EIN.
Cheapest states (year one + year two)
New Mexico: $50 filing + $0/year. Lifetime cheapest.
Wyoming: $100 filing + $60/year. Best balance of cost and reputation.
Montana: $35 filing + $20/year. Cheap but less common for non-residents.
Kentucky: $40 filing + $15/year. Niche choice.
Filing and annual fees, by state
| State | Filing fee | Annual fee | 5-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $35 | $20 | $135 |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 | $115 |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | $50 |
| Arkansas | $50 | $150 | $800 |
| Colorado | $50 | $25 | $175 |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 | $50 |
| Missouri | $50 | $0 | $50 |
| Arizona | $50 | $0 | $50 |
| Michigan | $50 | $25 | $175 |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15 | $125 |
| Iowa | $50 | $30 | $200 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 | $340 |
| Delaware | $110 | $400 | $2,110 |
| Nevada | $75 | about $350 | $1,825 |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 | $819 |
| Texas | $300 | $0 | $300 |
| California | $70 | $800 | $4,070 |
| New York | $200 | $9 | $245 |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500 | $3,000 |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 | $525 |
| Ohio | $99 | $0 | $99 |
| Georgia | $100 | $50 | $350 |
| Washington | $200 | $60 | $500 |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $7 | $160 |
| Virginia | $100 | $50 | $350 |
What 'total cost' really includes
State filing fee (one-time).
Annual report or franchise tax (every year).
Registered Agent service ($29-$150/year).
EIN application ($0 if you have an SSN, $90-$200 if a service handles it for non-residents).
Operating Agreement ($0-$200 depending on whether you draft it yourself).
LLC cost calculator
Work out what an LLC actually costs to keep alive. Pick a state, a number of years and your Registered Agent price.
| State filing fee, once | $100 |
| Annual report, 4 renewals | $240 |
| Registered Agent, 5 years | $0 |
| Total over 5 years | $340 |
Estimate only. State fees are the published amounts at the time of writing and can change. Taxes, foreign qualification in your operating state and optional services are not included.
BF Solutions LLC, Sheridan, Wyoming. WY Filing ID 2026-001992102.
We file with the Secretary of State and apply for your EIN with the IRS.
Most US LLC filings are completed in a few business days, EIN follows after approval.
Talk to the team that handles your file, before and after formation.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest US state to form an LLC?+
Montana has the cheapest filing fee at $35, but New Mexico is cheapest long-term because it has no annual report fee at all. Wyoming wins on cost-plus-reputation balance.
Why is California so expensive?+
California charges every LLC an $800 annual minimum franchise tax regardless of revenue, even if the LLC made $0. It's the highest mandatory tax of any US state.
Are the formation fees one-time or annual?+
The state filing fee is one-time. The annual report fee or franchise tax is yearly. Registered Agent service is also yearly. EIN is one-time.
Ready to form your LLC?
Start with one of the states covered in this article.
Open your US LLC the easy way
Formation, EIN and Registered Agent in one fixed-price package. Real humans on WhatsApp when you need help.
Bastion Formations is a company formation agent that files LLCs and corporations in all 50 US states and incorporates companies in the UAE, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, Thailand and Indonesia. Our team files with the Secretary of State directly, applies for EINs with the IRS and supports founders through bank account opening. This article reflects fees and filing rules we work with day to day.
- Registered entity
- BF Solutions LLC
30 N Gould St Ste R, Sheridan, WY 82801, USA
WY Filing ID 2026-001992102 - UAE office
- Online Solutions LLC, Licence 2221203
Sharjah Free Zone, United Arab Emirates
Fees checked and article last updated on August 14, 2026. State fees can change, so confirm before you file.