LLC Class ·
We earn commissions when you shop through the links below.
Contents
Best Idaho LLC Formation Service in 2026
Idaho is genuinely one of the cheapest states to keep an LLC alive: $100 to file once, $0 every year for the annual report. That makes the picking-a-service decision more important than usual, because the only meaningful cost over 5 years is what your formation provider charges in year 2 and beyond.
We compared the 6 major options on what actually matters for a one-person company founder, especially if you're non-US.
Quick verdict
| Service | Best for | Filing fee (Idaho) | Service fee | Reg. Agent | EIN included | Non-US friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doola | Non-US founders, one-person company | $100 | from $297 (Starter) | ✅ 1 yr | ✅ (incl. SS-4 paper filing) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Northwest | US residents wanting privacy | $100 | $39 + state | ✅ 1 yr | ❌ (+$50) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| ZenBusiness | US residents, low budget | $100 | $0 (Starter) | ✅ 1 yr | ❌ (+$99) | ⭐⭐ |
| LegalZoom | US residents wanting brand | $100 | $0 (Basic) | $249/yr | ❌ (+$79) | ⭐⭐ |
| Bizee (formerly IncFile) | US residents, free starter | $100 | $0 + state | ✅ 1 yr | ❌ (+$70) | ⭐⭐ |
| DIY (Idaho SOS direct) | Founders with US SSN + address | $100 | $0 | ❌ ($125+/yr separately) | DIY (free with SSN) | ⭐ |
Our recommendation for non-US founders: Doola — the only major service that bundles LLC + EIN + Registered Agent + Mercury Bank introduction, and they file SS-4 by paper for founders without an SSN.
Commercial disclosure: We may receive a commission through a referral link. Check the provider’s current prices and eligibility; no historical discount code is guaranteed.
Idaho LLC basics
- Filing fee: $100 (Certificate of Organization, one-time, online)
- Annual report: $0 — free, but still required, due by the last day of your LLC's anniversary month
- State income tax: Idaho honors federal pass-through treatment; personal income tax is a flat 5.695% on Idaho-sourced income
- Community property state: married couples can elect to be taxed as a single-member LLC
- Privacy: registered agent's name and address are public; members are not required on the public filing
- No general state business license requirement
The free annual report is unusual — only a handful of states do this — and it makes Idaho one of the cheapest "real" states to keep an LLC active long-term. The catch is that "free" still means "required" — miss the anniversary deadline and your LLC gets administratively dissolved.
Service-by-service breakdown
1. Doola — best for non-US founders forming an Idaho LLC
- Pricing: Starter $297/yr, Total Compliance $799/yr
- Includes: LLC filing + EIN (SS-4 paper for non-SSN founders) + Registered Agent (1 yr) + US business address + Mercury Bank introduction + annual report reminders
- Turnaround: 2–4 weeks for non-US founders (EIN bottleneck), 1–2 weeks for US founders (Idaho's online queue is 5–7 business days)
- Why we use it: The SS-4 paper filing is the killer feature. Doing it yourself from outside the US is a 6–12 week round trip with the IRS.
- Caveat: Annual renewal is the highest of any service here. If you have a US SSN, Northwest is cheaper from year 2 onward.
→ Doola current plans — referral link
→ Full Doola 2026 review
2. Northwest Registered Agent — best for US residents who value privacy
- Pricing: $39 service + $100 state + $125/yr registered agent after year 1
- Includes: LLC filing + 1 year RA + privacy (their name on public records, not yours)
- EIN: +$50, US-only — they won't file SS-4 paper
- Pick if: You have a US SSN and want the lowest sustainable ongoing cost
3. ZenBusiness — US founders on a budget
- Pricing: Free Starter (state only), Pro $199/yr, Premium $349/yr
- EIN: NOT included on Starter, +$99
- Caveat: Renewal upsell pressure in year 2
4. LegalZoom — brand recognition, expensive
- Pricing: Basic $0 + state, Pro $249, Premium $349
- EIN: +$79
- Caveat: Highest total cost of ownership; their RA is $249/yr. Cancellation flow is hostile.
5. Bizee (formerly IncFile) — free starter
- Pricing: Free + state, Gold $199, Platinum $299
- EIN: +$70
- Caveat: Compliance tracking is rough; we've seen users miss state notices
6. DIY — Idaho SOS direct
- Cost: $100 state filing + ~$125/yr registered agent (any provider)
- Pick if: You have a US SSN and an Idaho street address — Idaho's online filing system is one of the friendlier ones
- Skip if non-US: EIN by SS-4 paper is the bottleneck. Doola handles it.
Step-by-step Idaho LLC formation
- Choose a name — must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company". Check at the Idaho SOS business search.
- Designate a registered agent — must have a physical Idaho street address (no PO Boxes).
- File Certificate of Organization — $100 to the Idaho Secretary of State. Online approval is 5–7 business days.
- Get an EIN from the IRS — free online with SSN. Non-US founders file SS-4 by fax/mail, 4–8 weeks. Doola does this for you.
- Apply separately for a business account — Mercury eligibility and documents. Approval and timing depend on the provider; formation and an EIN are not a guarantee.
- File the (free) Annual Report — $0, but mandatory, due by the last day of your LLC's anniversary month every year. Set a calendar alert.
FAQ
Does Idaho really have a $0 annual report?
Yes. The annual report itself is free, but you still have to file it on time. Skip it and the state will administratively dissolve your LLC, which costs ~$30 to reinstate plus paperwork.
Can a non-US resident form an LLC in Idaho?
Yes. There is no citizenship or residency requirement. You'll need an Idaho-based registered agent (any service above) and the SS-4 paper filing path for an EIN (Doola handles it).
Is Idaho cheaper than Wyoming for an LLC?
Idaho's annual cost is $0 vs Wyoming's $60 floor — so technically yes on paper. But Wyoming has much stronger privacy and zero state income tax. For non-US founders without Idaho operations, Wyoming still wins. See our best state for LLC comparison.
Do I need a physical office in Idaho?
No. You only need a registered agent with an Idaho street address. The business itself can operate from anywhere in the world.
Related guides
- Annual report deadline calculator — plan and verify your due date
- Doola service comparison
- Mercury application eligibility and documents
- Best state to form an LLC
- Non-US founder LLC complete guide
More State Guides Worth Reading
If you are still comparing states, these are the guides we keep coming back to. They cover the fee details, annual report deadlines and filing timelines for each state, so you can see exactly what a first year costs before you commit.
- Best Louisiana LLC Formation Service
- Best Illinois LLC Formation Service
- Best Maryland LLC Formation Service
- Best Oklahoma LLC Formation Service
- Best Minnesota LLC Formation Service
- Best Rhode Island LLC Formation Service
- Best Wisconsin LLC Formation Service
- Best Alaska LLC Formation Service
- Best Indiana LLC Formation Service
- Best Missouri LLC Formation Service
Not sure which state fits? Start with our best state to form an LLC comparison — it breaks down all 50 states by filing fee, annual fee and first-year total, and maps each one to the founder type it actually suits.