- The primary mandatory cost to form a Texas LLC is the $300.00 filing fee for Form 205 (Certificate of Formation) submitted to the Texas Secretary of State.
- Card payments processed through the online SOSDirect portal carry a 2.7% convenience fee, bringing the state filing total to $308.10.
- Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) costs $0 (free) directly from the IRS, provided you form the entity with the state first.
- Every Texas LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical Texas address, as an entity may not serve as its own registered agent, and failure to maintain one risks involuntary termination.
- U.S.-formed entities are exempt from federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements under rules effective August 14, 2026.
| Fee or Requirement | Amount / Rule | Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation (Form 205) | $300.00 | Texas Secretary of State (Form 205 Instructions) |
| Credit Card Convenience Fee | 2.7% of total fees | Texas Secretary of State (Form 205 Instructions) |
| Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) | $0.00 (Free) | Internal Revenue Service (IRS.gov) |
| Name Reservation (Form 501, Optional) | $40.00 | Texas Secretary of State (Form 501 Instructions) |
| Assumed Name Certificate / DBA (Form 503) | $25.00 | Texas Secretary of State (Form 503 Instructions) |
| Registered Agent Requirement | Must have physical TX address; entity cannot serve as own agent | Texas Secretary of State (Registered Agent FAQs) |
| General Business License Fee | $0.00 (No general state business license) | Texas Secretary of State (Foreign/Out-of-State FAQs) |
| Federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report | Exempt for U.S.-formed companies | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) |
Understanding Texas LLC Startup Expenses
Forming a Texas LLC requires paying a one-time government fee of $300.00 for Form 205 (Certificate of Formation) to the Texas Secretary of State. Filing is available online through SOSDirect. Credit card payments carry a 2.7% convenience fee, adding $8.10 for a total of $308.10. Paying by check or money order via mail costs $300.00 flat.
Optional fees depend on your business choices. A name reservation costs $40.00 using Form 501 to hold a name for 120 days, though most founders skip this by filing Form 205 directly. If you conduct business under a trade name, filing Form 503 (Assumed Name Certificate) costs $25.00. Texas charges no state general business license fee.
Registered Agent and Compliance Rules
Texas requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical Texas street address. An entity may not serve as its own registered agent. Serving as your own agent costs $0.00, but failing to maintain an agent risks involuntary termination by the state.
After state approval, get an EIN for $0 (free) directly from the IRS. You must form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN. Never pay a third party for an EIN. Under rules effective August 14, 2026, U.S.-formed companies are exempt from federal BOI reporting.
DIY vs. Commercial Formation Services
Filing Form 205 directly on SOSDirect is the cheapest method, costing $300.00 (or $308.10 by card). Formation services charge their own fees on top of the state fee to assist with paperwork and compliance. No state government page performs this comparison, which is the primary value this page adds.
Below is a comparison of commercial formation providers (listed alphabetically, not ranked) and their 2026 pricing structures.
Formation Service Comparison (Listed Alphabetically, Not Ranked)
| Service Provider | Base Package Pricing | Registered Agent Fee | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 + state fee (as of 2026) | Included 1st year ($119/yr after) | Business owners seeking a basic $0 service tier |
| LegalZoom | $0 + state fee (as of 2026) | $249/yr | Founders wanting maximum brand recognition |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee (as of 2026) | $125/yr | Business owners prioritizing privacy and dedicated support |
| Rocket Lawyer | $0 + state fee with subscription (as of 2026) | $249.99/yr | Entrepreneurs who also need ongoing legal document templates |
| Tailor Brands | $0 + state fee (as of 2026) | $199/yr | Founders wanting integrated branding and logo packages |
| ZenBusiness | Starter $0 + state fee; Pro $199/yr; Premium $299/yr | $199/yr ($99 1st year with formation) | Founders wanting guided setup, compliance alerts, and ongoing document organization |
Choosing the Right Path for Your Texas Business
Filing on your own directly through Texas SOSDirect is best if you live in Texas, can act as your registered agent, and prefer to manage state paperwork yourself.
For founders who prefer guided setup, compliance tracking, and automated document organization, we recommend ZenBusiness. Their Starter tier is $0 plus state fee, Pro is $199/year, and Premium is $299/year. Registered agent service is $199/year on every tier, discounted to $99 for the first year when forming through them. ZenBusiness earns this recommendation through its guided onboarding and compliance dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas LLC filing fee cost to start Texas LLC
The filing fee to start a Texas LLC is $300.00 for Form 205 (Certificate of Formation) paid to the Texas Secretary of State. Card payments via SOSDirect add a 2.7% convenience fee, bringing the total to $308.10.
What does a Texas Certificate of Formation cost, including the card fee?
Per sos.texas.gov, the Certificate of Formation fee is $300.00. Submitting electronically via TexasSOSDirect adds a 2.7% credit card convenience fee ($8.10), making the transaction $308.10.
What do a Texas name reservation and an assumed name certificate cost?
According to sos.texas.gov, an optional name reservation (Form 501) costs $40.00 for 120 days. Registering an assumed name or DBA (Form 503) costs $25.00.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Form 205 - Instructions for Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Registered Agent FAQs”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Form 503 - Instructions for Assumed Name Certificate”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Formation of Texas Entities FAQs”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Foreign or Out-of-State Entities”
This article provides general information for educational purposes and does not constitute formal legal or financial advice; requirements vary by state and change over time.