- Official Secretary of State LLC filing fees range from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts under published 2026 state fee schedules, representing an unavoidable cost for all applicants.
- An Employer Identification Number (EIN) costs $0 (free) directly from the IRS using Form SS-4 or the online portal, and state registration must be completed before applying.
- Effective August 14, 2026, domestic entities formed in the United States are exempt from federal FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting, eliminating third-party compliance charges for domestic LLCs.
- Registered agent services charge between $99 and $249 per year, but business owners who maintain a physical street address in the state of formation can serve as their own registered agent at $0 additional cost.
The comparison table below details formation service fees, EIN processing costs, registered agent pricing, and filing requirements (listed alphabetically, not ranked).
| Provider / Filing Path | Base Service Fee (2026) | EIN Application Fee | Registered Agent Service Fee | Official Filing Requirements & Source Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct State DIY Filing | $0 | $0 (free via IRS portal) | $0 (serve as own agent) | State filing fee ($35 to $500 per Secretary of State schedule) |
| Bizee | $0 + state fee | Optional paid add-on | $0 first year ($119/year renewal) | State fee required; optional upsell packages |
| LegalZoom | $0 + state fee (Basic) | Optional paid add-on ($79) | $249/year (billed separately) | State fee required; optional upsell packages |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee | Optional paid add-on | $125/year | State fee required; includes privacy address features |
| Rocket Lawyer | $99 + state fee | Optional paid add-on | $249/year ($124.99 with membership) | State fee required; recurring subscription option |
| Tailor Brands | $0 + state fee | Optional paid add-on | $199/year | State fee required; branding bundle options |
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state fee (Starter) | Included in Pro/Premium tiers | $199/year ($99 first year with formation) | State fee required; separate agent service on all tiers |
Direct State Filing vs. Commercial Formation Services
When forming a limited liability company, many entrepreneurs assume that hiring a professional service saves significant administrative effort while adding substantial expense. In reality, the core formation process consists of submitting Articles of Organization (also called a Certificate of Formation in some jurisdictions) to the state filing office, usually the Secretary of State.
Official state LLC filing fees vary by state under published 2026 Secretary of State LLC filing fees schedules. Kentucky and Montana charge among the lowest mandatory filing fees at $40 and $35 respectively, whereas Texas charges $300, California charges $70 plus an annual $800 franchise tax, and Massachusetts charges $500. Because every business entity must pay this state fee, choosing between direct do-it-yourself filing and a commercial service comes down to how much you pay for secondary paperwork and conveniences.
Navigating Free Federal Requirements and Third-Party Add-Ons
A frequent source of unnecessary expense for new business owners is paying a third-party service to obtain tax numbers and federal registrations. An EIN is free directly from the IRS. You should never pay a third party for an EIN. Applying on irs.gov for an EIN is a simple online process that takes approximately 15 minutes, yields an immediate digital confirmation letter (Form CP 575), and carries a $0 (free) official cost.
The Internal Revenue Service explicitly requires that you form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN. If you apply for an EIN prior to official state approval of your Articles of Organization, the IRS record will not match state corporate records, causing legal and banking delays.
Furthermore, compliance rules regarding federal reporting have changed. Under the federal rule effective August 14, 2026, companies created in the United States are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). State corporate transparency rules, such as New York's Transparency Act, likewise apply only to LLCs formed under the laws of a foreign country. As a result, domestic LLCs do not need to pay third-party service fees for BOI filing assistance.
Comparing Commercial Formation Tier Pricing as of 2026
Commercial formation services make their profits primarily by selling upgraded packages and recurring subscription services. Examining LegalZoom LLC formation pricing official 2026 offerings illustrates how tier structures work. As of 2026, LegalZoom offers a Basic plan at $0 plus state fees, a Pro plan at $249 plus state fees, and a Premium plan at $299 plus state fees. The Basic tier handles state filing but omits an Operating Agreement and EIN application. The Pro tier adds an Operating Agreement and EIN handling, while the Premium tier adds attorney consultations. LegalZoom charges a separate $249 per year for registered agent service across all tiers.
As of 2026, Bizee, Tailor Brands, and ZenBusiness also offer $0 base tiers that charge only the mandatory state fee. Other providers charge upfront base fees, such as Northwest Registered Agent at $39 plus state fee or Rocket Lawyer at $99 plus state fee (or monthly membership options).
Registered agent services represent another ongoing decision. State laws require every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state of formation to accept official legal notices during business hours. If you live or maintain a physical office in the state where you register, you can act as your own registered agent for $0. If you prefer to keep your personal home address off public record or do not reside in the state, commercial registered agent services cost between $99 and $249 per year.
Choosing Between DIY Filing and ZenBusiness
Filing directly with your Secretary of State is the best choice if you have a modest budget, feel comfortable filling out online state forms, and plan to serve as your own registered agent. Direct filing ensures you pay only the state fee, obtain your $0 free EIN directly from the IRS, and retain total control over your paperwork timeline without sales prompts.
However, using a dedicated formation service makes practical sense if you operate across state lines, need a commercial registered agent for privacy, or want guided organization. For readers in that situation, ZenBusiness provides a straightforward structure. Under canonical 2026 pricing, ZenBusiness offers three formation tiers: Starter at $0 plus state fee, Pro at $199 per year, and Premium at $299 per year. Registered agent service is a separate $199 per year add-on across every tier, including Premium, but is discounted to $99 for the first year when you form your LLC with them.
Selecting ZenBusiness is worth the cost if you want filing tracking and an ongoing compliance dashboard in one location. Conversely, if you are forming a single-member LLC in your home state and want the lowest possible expense, filing directly with the state and obtaining your EIN directly from the IRS saves all third-party markup.
FAQ
official state LLC filing fee varies by state 2026 Secretary of State LLC filing fees?
Official state LLC filing fees range from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts under 2026 Secretary of State fee schedules. Every business entity must pay the mandatory filing fee directly to the state regardless of whether you file independently or through a commercial service.
What does an EIN cost from the IRS?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is $0 (free) directly from the IRS website at irs.gov. You should never pay a third party for an EIN. The online application provides an immediate EIN assignment upon completion, provided you form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN.
LegalZoom LLC formation pricing official 2026?
As of 2026, LegalZoom offers three LLC formation tiers: Basic at $0 plus state fee, Pro at $249 plus state fee, and Premium at $299 plus state fee. Registered agent service is not included in any package and costs a separate $249 per year.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
This article provides general information rather than legal advice, and LLC filing requirements vary by state and change over time.