Best State to Form an LLC in 2026: Costs & Tradeoffs
Standard domestic LLCs: Wyoming, Ohio and Delaware figures reviewed against the listed official sources. Operating-state requirements depend on your business.
Quick Answer
If your business has registration obligations in a US state, check that state's rules first. For remote founders abroad without those obligations, Wyoming is our main option to compare; Ohio is an alternative with low ongoing state costs. Your choice does not guarantee tax savings or bank approval.
LLC Class sells Wyoming formation services. This is our editorial comparison, not an independent ranking.
This review covers the summary and listed sources. Confirm other state-table entries on the relevant official pages.
Compare the state costs and obligations
Scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| State | When to consider it | Formation filing fee | Recurring state obligations | Official sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | Our main comparison option for remote founders without an obligation to register in another state; budget for annual upkeep. | $100 | Annual license tax: $60 or assets located and employed in Wyoming × 0.0002, whichever is greater. | Official sources ↗ |
| Ohio | An alternative when lower recurring state administration is a priority; other costs still apply. | $99 | No routine annual or biennial LLC report. Tax, agent and other filing obligations can still apply. | Official sources ↗ |
| Delaware | For a specific legal or entity-structure need. Assess investor requirements separately; it is not the default LLC choice. | $110 | $400 annual LLC tax for the 2026 tax year. | Official sources ↗ |
| Your actual operating state | Check local registration, licensing and tax obligations first if you have premises, employees or other business activity there. | Depends on the state and business | Depends on the state and business | — |
Government fees exclude registered-agent and tax-service charges. Wyoming online card payments add 2.4%, minimum $1. Check current requirements and totals before filing.
LLC State Fee Reference: Filing and Recurring Charges
Compare the existing state-fee reference. Wyoming, Ohio and Delaware amounts were reviewed on October 26, 2026; other entries still require confirmation on the official state pages.
| State | Filing Fee | Recurring state charge | Reference sum | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $200 | $50 | $250 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 | $350 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Arizona | $50 | $0 | $50 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150 | $195 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| California | $70 | $800 | $870 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Colorado | $50 | $25 | $75 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80 | $200 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Delaware | $110 | $400 annual tax | $510 | Reviewed Oct 26, 2026: standard domestic formation fee is $110; LLC annual tax is $400 for the 2026 tax year under HB400. This is not a same-day total; agent and optional services are separate. |
| District of Columbia | $99 | $300 | $399 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 | $263.75 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Georgia | $110 | $60 | $170 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Hawaii | $51 | $15 | $66 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Idaho | $100 | $0 | $100 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 | $225 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Indiana | $95 | $30 | $125 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Iowa | $50 | $30 | $80 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Kansas | $85 | $90 | $175 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 | $55 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Louisiana | $125 | $35 | $160 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Maine | $175 | $85 | $260 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Maryland | $100 | $300 | $400 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500 | $1000 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Michigan | $50 | $25 | $75 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Minnesota | $155 | $0 | $155 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 | $50 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Missouri | $50 | $0 | $50 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Montana | $35 | $20 | $55 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Nebraska | $100 | $25 | $125 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Nevada | $75 | $350 | $425 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 | $200 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| New Jersey | $100 | $75 | $175 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | $50 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| New York | $200 | $9 | $209 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200 | $325 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 | $185 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Ohio | $99 | $0 annual report | $99 | Reviewed Oct 26, 2026: ordinary LLCs have no Secretary of State annual or biennial report. Agent, tax and event-triggered filing obligations are separate. |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $25 | $125 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Oregon | $100 | $100 | $200 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $7 | $132 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $50 | $200 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| South Carolina | $110 | $0 | $110 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| South Dakota | $150 | $55 | $205 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Tennessee | $300 | $300 | $600 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Texas | $300 | $0 | $300 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Utah | $59 | $18 | $77 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Vermont | $155 | $45 | $200 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Virginia | $100 | $50 | $150 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Washington | $200 | $70 | $270 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| West Virginia | $100 | $25 | $125 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25 | $155 | Not rechecked in this review. Confirm current fees, filing frequency, tax and other obligations on the official state website. |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 minimum | $160 minimum | Reviewed Oct 26, 2026: annual license tax is $60 or 0.0002 of assets located and employed in Wyoming, whichever is higher. Online card processing adds 2.4% (minimum $1) to each filing. |
Reference sum = filing fee plus the first listed recurring charge; it is not a first-year bill or a complete operating budget. Due dates differ. Excludes agent services, payment processing, optional filings and other taxes. Other state amounts have not been rechecked in this review.
Know your filing deadline before you pick a state — recurring fees only matter if you file on time. Our free annual report deadline calculator provides a planning estimate based on your formation date, with a calendar reminder. Confirm the current rules with the state.
Compare packages
Currently displayed: $299 for Wyoming formation, including the state filing fee and first-year registered agent service. EIN filing assistance is a separate purchase or included in the $485 package. Check the selected package and checkout total.
Frequently asked questions
Which state should I choose if I live outside the US?
If your business has registration obligations in a US state, check that state's rules first. For remote founders abroad without those obligations, Wyoming is our main option to compare; Ohio is an alternative with low ongoing state costs. Your choice does not guarantee tax savings or bank approval.
Which costs continue after the first year?
Later annual report or state taxes, registered agent renewals and tax-return preparation are separate from the initial formation price. Confirm the applicable amounts before ordering.
Is an EIN free, and is assistance included?
An EIN is free from the IRS. Online eligibility depends on your US presence and taxpayer identification. Applicants with a principal place of business abroad use eligible phone, fax or mail routes; assistance fees are separate.
Does a US-formed LLC need to file a BOI report?
Under the current FinCEN rule, entities formed in the US are exempt from BOI reporting. Foreign-formed entities registered in the US may still have obligations.
Compare packages
Currently displayed: $299 for Wyoming formation, including the state filing fee and first-year registered agent service. EIN filing assistance is a separate purchase or included in the $485 package. Check the selected package and checkout total.
Official sources
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