Forming a company in the US is a complex process with specific company formation fees and requirements that vary depending on your state of incorporation, your corporate structure (e.g., corporation, LLC), and the type of business you’re conducting. Company formation fees to form a business also vary by US state, ranging from $50 to $520 depending on where you are filing.

This guide covers the costs associated with company formation fees in the US, including filing and annual report fees for each state.

Key takeaways

• Company formation fees are the charges a business pays to legally form and maintain its LLC or corporation.

• Initial company formation fees generally include filing fees and, in states that require a newspaper notice, publication costs.

• Ongoing fees such as annual or biennial report fees, franchise taxes, and registered agent fees add to the initial formation costs.

What are the costs of company formation?

Company formation fees are the state-mandated charges—filing fees, franchise taxes, registered agent costs, and (in some states) publication costs—that a business must pay to legally form and maintain its LLC or corporation. The total cost to register a business is typically less than $300, though fees vary depending on your state and business structure.

The total cost to incorporate a business can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on your location and which services you opt for during the incorporation process. Filing for incorporation on your own is the most cost-effective option, but that requires more time and extensive knowledge of the process. Hiring professional help such as attorneys (for legal compliance advice) or accountants (for tax preparation and filing) introduces additional costs, but it simplifies the process.

Here are basic company formation fees:

• Filing fees: Each state has different fees for filing the articles of incorporation.

• Franchise taxes: Some states impose annual franchise taxes, which vary depending on your business’s income.

• Registered agent fees: Every incorporated business needs a registered agent. The cost of this service varies depending on the individual or entity you choose.

• Publication costs: Some states require you to publish a notice of incorporation in a newspaper. The cost of this varies depending on the publication and the location.

Company formation fees by state for LLCs and corporations

Here is a comprehensive list of company formation fees by US state in 2026. These fees include the initial filing fee and any annual or biennial report fees required to maintain the LLC. Report fees are annual, except for states with biennial renewals, which include Alaska, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, and Washington, DC. Additional fees might apply for registered agent services, business licenses, and other filings. (Note that some states adjust initial filing fees or annual report fees based on a company’s size—in these cases, the numbers listed in the chart below are minimum fees.)

At the low end, Montana charges just $35 to file Articles of Organization—the cheapest initial filing fee of any state. At the high end, Massachusetts charges $500 to form an LLC and then charges another $500 again every year for the required annual report, making it the most expensive state to both form and maintain an LLC. Some states, such as Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, and Ohio, don't require LLCs to pay an annual fee at all.

These fees are subject to change, so it’s a good idea to check with the respective state’s secretary of state office for the most current information.

Initial vs. ongoing company formation fees

Company formation fees fall into two categories: one-time costs paid at setup, and recurring costs paid to keep the business in good standing.

Initial fees

These fees are paid once, when the business is formed.

• Filing fees: These are for initial filings such as Articles of Organization (for LLCs) or Articles of Incorporation (for corporations) with the state.

• Publication costs: In states that require it (e.g., New York, Arizona), this is a one-time newspaper notice after formation.

• Optional setup costs: An example of this is attorney/accountant fees for drafting formation documents.

Ongoing fees

These fees recur annually or biennially to keep the business active.

• Annual or biennial report fees: These are paid to the state to keep the entity in good standing (the frequency and amount vary by state).

• Franchise taxes: Some states charge these separately from, or instead of, a report fee, often based on income, assets, or authorized shares.

• Registered agent fees: If you’re using a third-party service rather than self-serving as your own agent, the service will charge fees.

A few states blur this line: Delaware and Texas, for example, don't require a report but do charge a recurring franchise tax, and some states (such as Arizona and Ohio for LLCs) charge no recurring fee at all after formation.

How Stripe Atlas can help

Stripe Atlas handles everything you need to legally launch your company—incorporation, employer identification number (EIN), equity setup, and tax filings—so you can fundraise, open a bank account, and start accepting payments in as little as two business days, from anywhere in the world.

Join 100,000+ startups incorporated using Atlas, including startups backed by top investors like Y Combinator, a16z, and General Catalyst.

Get started in minutes with Atlas

The application takes under 10 minutes. You'll choose your company structure, confirm your name is available, add up to four cofounders, set your equity split, and e-sign. Then Atlas takes it from there, including notifying cofounders to sign their documents electronically.

Banking and payments before your EIN arrives

Atlas files your EIN application automatically after incorporation. You don't have to wait—Atlas enables pre-EIN payments and banking so you can start accepting payments and making transactions right away. US founders with a Social Security number are typically eligible for expedited IRS processing.

Automatic 83(b) tax election filing

Atlas files your 83(b) election for you—US and non-US founders alike—with US Postal Service certified mail and tracking to reduce personal income taxes. You'll get a signed 83(b) election and proof of filing directly in your Stripe Dashboard, with certified mail confirmation.

World-class company legal documents

Atlas provides all the legal documents you need to start running your company, drafted by Cooley, one of the world’s leading venture capital law firms, and stores them directly in your Stripe Dashboard. These documents are designed to help you fundraise immediately and ensure your company is legally protected, covering aspects like ownership structure, equity distribution, and tax compliance.

$2,500 in Stripe credits, plus $50K+ in partner discounts

Atlas startups get $2,500 in Stripe product credits for their first year, plus $50,000+ in discounts on essential tools—Mercury, AWS, Carta, Xero, Perplexity, and more. Delaware registered agent service is also included free for your first year.

Learn more about how Atlas can help you set up your new business quickly and easily, and get started today.