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Free ToolReal per-state formation cost. Pick your state and entity type; see upfront and ongoing cost. No estimates, no fluff.
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Free Cost Tool
Formation cost calculator · free to use · no signup

How much will it cost to form your entity?

Pick your state and entity type. We show the exact state filing fee and our No state-fee markup for upfront cost, plus the typical annual cost over 5 years. Real 2026 data for all 50 states + DC.

How this tool actually works

Three things that make Formation cost calculator useful in the real world.

Not a calculator that ships you to a paywall after the result.

01

Real state fees, not stale tables

Pulled from each Secretary of State quarterly. The number you see is the number that gets paid.

02

Add-ons priced inline

Expedited filing, certificate of good standing, BOI: each priced as you click.

03

One total, no surprises

Service + state fee + add-ons in a single number. No checkout-stage surprise.

Pick your formation

Form in the state where you operate, unless you have a specific reason for Delaware or Wyoming.
First year free with formation; $99/yr renewal. Most founders use the service to keep their home address off public records.
Total upfront cost
$0
Pick a state to see the cost.
State filing fee $0
Our service fee $0
Registered Agent year 1 $0
Upfront total $0
Year 2 cost $0
5-year total $0
How the math works

What goes into your total.

State filing fee: The fee charged by the Secretary of State to file your Articles of Organization (LLC), Articles of Incorporation (Corp), or Articles of Incorporation as a Nonprofit. Ranges from $35 (Montana) to $725 (Nevada with initial list + license). We pass these through at cost.

Our service fee: $0 on Starter for the core filing service. Add-ons like BOI filing $99 one-time), foreign qualification ($149/state) are separate.

Registered Agent: Free for the first year with every formation. $99/year on renewal. You can be your own agent if you have a physical state address and are available during business hours; most founders use a service.

Annual ongoing: Most states require an annual report ($10-$300 typical) plus, depending on the state, a franchise tax or business privilege tax. Massachusetts is the most expensive annual ($520). Missouri, Ohio, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Arizona have no annual report for LLCs.

FAQ

Common questions.

How accurate is this calculator?
State filing fees are exact for 2026. Annual fees are typical; some states have variable franchise tax based on net worth or capital stock that we cannot estimate without more info. We show the typical case.
What is not included?
Optional add-ons: BOI filing $99 one-time), expedited state filing, foreign qualification in additional states, business licenses, sales tax permits. Plus state-specific extras like NY publication ($300-$1,500) and TX franchise tax above $1.23M revenue.
Why is the state fee at cost?
We do not mark up state fees. Whatever the state charges, that is what you pay; we pass it through as a separate line item.
Can the cost change after I file?
No, your upfront cost is locked at filing. Annual costs in future years could change if the state adjusts fees (rare). We notify you of any changes well in advance.
How does Growth save money?
Growth includes BOI filing, annual report filing, brand kit, business email, e-signature, books, CRM, and more. If you would buy these separately, Growth pays for itself at about $700/year.
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SOC 2 Type II audited
220,000+ businesses. 60-day money-back. State fees passed through at cost.
Your operating system, not a transaction
Every deadline auto-tracked across your entities. Compliance Score visible year-round.
Transparent pricing
No hidden fees. No upsells at checkout. State fees disclosed upfront.

Start your business in the next 5 minutes.

No state-fee markup. Pay only the state fee. 60-day money-back guarantee.

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