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How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC?
The total cost to form an LLC with ZenBusiness is your ZenBusiness plan fee plus your state filing fee. ZenBusiness plans start at $0 (Starter); state filing fees vary from $35 (Kentucky) to $500+ (Massachusetts). You see the exact total before you pay. Most LLCs cost $50–$350 total depending on the state.
The Two Costs of LLC Formation
1. ZenBusiness Plan Fee
| Plan | Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $0 | LLC formation filing |
| Pro | $199/year | Formation + Registered Agent (first year) + Operating Agreement + EIN |
| Premium | $349/year | Everything in Pro + rush processing + business document templates + more |
Prices shown are annual plan fees. The total first-year cost also includes your state's filing fee.
2. State Filing Fee
Every state charges a fee to file formation documents with the Secretary of State. This fee is separate from ZenBusiness's plan price and varies significantly:
| State | LLC Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | $40 |
| New Mexico | $50 |
| Arkansas | $45 |
| Colorado | $50 |
| Florida | $125 |
| Georgia | $100 |
| Texas | $300 |
| California | $70 |
| Delaware | $90 |
| New York | $200 |
| Massachusetts | $500 |
These are one-time formation fees. You also have ongoing annual fees (annual reports) after formation — typically $0–$300/year depending on state.
What the Total Typically Looks Like
For a ZenBusiness Starter plan in a mid-fee state:
- ZenBusiness plan fee: $0
- State filing fee: $100–$200
- Total: $100–$200
For a ZenBusiness Pro plan in Florida:
- ZenBusiness plan fee: $199
- Florida state filing fee: $125
- Total: $324 first year
The exact total for your state is shown in the checkout flow before you pay anything. Go to zenbusiness.com/pricing-formation-plans to see current pricing.
Ongoing Annual Costs
Formation is a one-time cost. After your LLC is formed, the ongoing annual costs typically include:
- Annual report filing fee — required by most states, $0–$300/year
- Registered agent service — $199/year after the first year if using ZenBusiness (included in Pro/Premium first year)
- Worry-Free Compliance — optional, $99–$299/year
- State taxes or franchise fees — varies by state (California, for example, charges an $800 minimum franchise tax annually)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ZenBusiness's $0 Starter plan actually free?
The ZenBusiness Starter plan has a $0 service fee — you only pay the state filing fee. However, Starter doesn't include registered agent service, an EIN, or an operating agreement. Those are add-ons you'd pay for separately. The Pro plan ($199) bundles the most commonly needed services at a discount.
Why does formation cost more in some states than others?
States set their own filing fees. High-fee states like Massachusetts ($500) and Texas ($300) simply charge more for the same service. Delaware ($90) is notably popular despite its relatively low filing fee because of its business-friendly corporate laws.
Does forming in Delaware save money?
Delaware's filing fee ($90) is lower than many states, and its corporate laws are business-friendly for investors. But if you operate your business in another state (say, California), you'll likely also need to foreign-qualify in California, paying California's registration fee ($70) plus the $800 annual franchise tax. For most small businesses, forming in your home state is simpler and cheaper overall.
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Still need help? Call (844) 493-6249 or see live pricing at zenbusiness.com/pricing-formation-plans.