The Real Cost of an LLC, State by State (2026)

Two rules keep that answer clear. First, a state's charges and a filing service's charges are different payments for different things, and this site never adds them into one number. Second, every state figure here is taken from the state's published schedule and carries the date it was read. Fees change, and an undated figure is not information.

Some steps cost nothing. The IRS page on getting an Employer Identification Number states that an EIN is free when you apply directly with the IRS, and it warns never to pay a third party for one. The same page says to form the entity with the state before you apply. On beneficial ownership, FinCEN's BOI page states that companies created in the United States are exempt from federal BOI reporting. New York's own LLC Transparency Act likewise applies only to LLCs formed under the law of a foreign country.

Start here

If you are deciding between doing the filing yourself and paying someone to do it, begin with How Much Does it Cost to Form an LLC on Your Own Versus Using a Service? It explains what the state charges, what a service adds, and how to compare the two without blending them together.

If you are weighing ZenBusiness in particular, read How Much More Does ZenBusiness Cost than Filing an LLC Yourself?

ZenBusiness's LLC pricing page lists three tiers:

• Starter costs $0 plus the state fee.
• Pro costs $199 a year.
• Premium costs $299 a year.

Its registered agent service is a separate $199 a year on every tier, Premium included. That fee is discounted to $99 for the first year when you form with them. Older sources, including ZenBusiness's own help centre, still describe a $399 Premium tier with the agent bundled in. That pricing is out of date.

This site earns a commission on some of its links. That never changes which option a page recommends. When filing with the state yourself costs less, the page says so plainly, and it always shows the state's charge and the service's charge as separate figures, so you can check the comparison yourself.

If you already know your state, go straight to it below.

By state

Each state page covers what that state charges at formation, every year after, and when a filing is late. It also sets out what a service would add, always as a separate figure.

Is it Cheaper to File a California LLC Yourself or Use a Filing Service?

Is it Cheaper to File a Florida LLC on Sunbiz Yourself or Use a Filing Service?

Is it Cheaper to File a Georgia LLC Yourself or Hire a Service?

Is it Cheaper to File a Michigan LLC Yourself or Use a Service?

Is it Cheaper to File a NY LLC Yourself or Use a Filing Service?

Is it Cheaper to File a Texas LLC Yourself or Hire a Service?