Includes: API (Express/TypeScript), Astro site, Python workers, document generators, FCC compliance tools, Canada CRTC formation, Ansible infrastructure, and deployment scripts. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
18 KiB
Complete LLC Annual Maintenance Costs by State (2026)
Purpose: Comprehensive reference of ALL mandatory state-level fees to maintain an LLC in good standing. Goes beyond "annual report fees" to include franchise taxes, business licenses, privilege taxes, personal property returns, and other hidden/stacked fees.
Sources: LLC University (2026 data), individual state SOS/DoR websites, CA FTB, TX Comptroller, NV Secretary of State SilverFlume, MD SDAT, TN Secretary of State.
Last updated: 2026-04-01
Master Fee Table
All amounts in USD. "Effective Annual" normalizes biennial fees to per-year equivalents. "Total Annual (min)" is the minimum a single-member LLC with no revenue pays per year.
| State | Annual Report / Filing Fee | Franchise Tax | Business License | Other Mandatory Fees | Total Annual (min) | Due Date | Form Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL | $0 (included in BPT) | $0 | $0 | Business Privilege Tax: $50 min (based on net worth; max $15,000) | $50 | Apr 15 | Business Privilege Tax Return |
| AK | $100 (biennial) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $50/yr | Jan 2 (even years) | Biennial Report |
| AZ | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | N/A | N/A (no report required) |
| AR | $0 (combined) | $150 | $0 | $0 | $150 | May 1 | Franchise Tax Report |
| CA | $20 (SOI, biennial) | $800 | $0 | LLC Fee if revenue >$250K (see below) | $810 | Tax: Apr 15; SOI: biennial | Form 3522 + Statement of Information |
| CO | $25 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | Anniversary month (5-month window) | Periodic Report |
| CT | $80 | $0 | $0 | Business Entity Tax: $250 (biennial, corps only — LLCs exempt) | $80 | Mar 31 | Annual Report |
| DE | $0 (no separate report) | $300 | $0 | $0 | $300 | Jun 1 | Annual Franchise Tax |
| DC | $300 (biennial) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $150/yr | Apr 1 (odd years) | Biennial Report |
| FL | $138.75 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $138.75 | May 1 | Annual Report |
| GA | $60 (Annual Registration) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $60 | Apr 1 | Annual Registration |
| HI | $15 | $0 | General Excise Tax license: $20/yr | $0 | $35 | Anniversary quarter | Annual Report + GET License |
| ID | $0 (report required, no fee) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Anniversary month | Annual Report (no fee) |
| IL | $75 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $75 | Anniversary month | Annual Report |
| IN | $30 (biennial) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $15/yr | Anniversary month | Business Entity Report |
| IA | $30 (biennial) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $15/yr | Apr 1 (odd years) | Biennial Report |
| KS | $50 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $50 | Apr 15 | Annual Report |
| KY | $15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $15 | Jun 30 | Annual Report |
| LA | $35 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $35 | Anniversary month | Annual Report |
| ME | $85 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $85 | Jun 1 | Annual Report |
| MD | $300 (combined AR + PPT) | $0 | $0 | Personal property tax if LLC holds tangible property in MD | $300 | Apr 15 | Annual Report & Personal Property Tax Return |
| MA | $500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $500 | Anniversary month | Annual Report |
| MI | $25 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | Feb 15 | Annual Report |
| MN | $0 (report required, no fee) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Dec 31 | Annual Renewal |
| MS | $0 | $0 | $0 | Privilege tax for S-Corps only; LLCs exempt | $0 | N/A | N/A |
| MO | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | N/A | N/A (no report required) |
| MT | $20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $20 | Apr 15 | Annual Report |
| NE | $13 (biennial) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6.50/yr | Apr 1 (odd years) | Biennial Report |
| NV | $150 (Annual List) | $0 | $200 (State Business License) | $0 | $350 | Anniversary month | Annual List + Business License Renewal |
| NH | $100 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $100 | Apr 1 | Annual Report |
| NJ | $75 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $75 | Anniversary month | Annual Report |
| NM | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | N/A | N/A (no report required) |
| NY | $9 (biennial) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $4.50/yr | Anniversary month | Biennial Statement |
| NC | $200 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $200 | Apr 15 | Annual Report |
| ND | $50 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $50 | Nov 15 | Annual Report |
| OH | $0 | $0 | $0 | Commercial Activity Tax if revenue >$150K (0.26%) | $0 | N/A | N/A (no report required) |
| OK | $25 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | Anniversary month | Annual Certificate |
| OR | $100 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $100 | Anniversary month | Annual Report |
| PA | $7 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $7 | Sep 30 | Annual Report (new in 2025) |
| RI | $50 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $50 | Feb 1 - May 1 | Annual Report |
| SC | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | N/A | N/A (unless LLC elects S-Corp) |
| SD | $55 (domestic) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $55 | Anniversary month | Annual Report |
| TN | $300 min ($300/yr for 1-6 members) | $0 | $0 | +$50/member over 6 (no cap) | $300 | Apr 1 | Annual Report |
| TX | $0 (PIR filing, no fee) | Franchise tax only if revenue >$2.47M | $0 | Must file Public Information Report (no fee) | $0 | May 15 | Public Information Report |
| UT | $18 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $18 | Anniversary month | Annual Report |
| VT | $45 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $45 | Mar 15 | Annual Report |
| VA | $50 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $50 | Anniversary month | Annual Registration Fee |
| WA | $60 | $0 | $0 | B&O tax is revenue-based, not a compliance fee | $60 | Anniversary month | Annual Report |
| WV | $25 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | Jul 1 | Annual Report |
| WI | $25 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | Anniversary quarter | Annual Report |
| WY | $60 min | $0 | $0 | Based on assets in WY (>$300K assets = higher fee) | $60 | Anniversary month | Annual Report |
States Ranked by Total Annual Cost (Minimum)
| Rank | State | Min Annual Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CA | $810 | $800 franchise tax + $10/yr SOI; can reach $12,610 with LLC fee |
| 2 | MA | $500 | Flat $500, no exemptions |
| 3 | NV | $350 | $150 Annual List + $200 Business License |
| 4 | DE | $300 | Flat $300 franchise tax |
| 5 | MD | $300 | Combined AR + Personal Property Tax Return |
| 6 | TN | $300 | $300/member (min $300); scales with members |
| 7 | NC | $200 | Flat $200 |
| 8 | DC | $150/yr | $300 biennial |
| 9 | AR | $150 | Franchise Tax Report |
| 10 | FL | $138.75 | Includes processing fee |
| 11 | NH | $100 | |
| 12 | OR | $100 | |
| 13 | AK | $50/yr | $100 biennial |
| 14 | ME | $85 | |
| 15 | CT | $80 | |
| 16 | IL | $75 | Reduced from $250 in 2023 |
| 17 | NJ | $75 | |
| 18 | GA | $60 | |
| 19 | WA | $60 | |
| 20 | WY | $60 | Minimum; scales with WY assets |
| 21 | SD | $55 | |
| 22 | AL | $50 | Minimum BPT; scales with net worth |
| 23 | KS | $50 | |
| 24 | ND | $50 | |
| 25 | RI | $50 | |
| 26 | VA | $50 | |
| 27 | VT | $45 | |
| 28 | HI | $35 | $15 AR + $20 GET license |
| 29 | LA | $35 | |
| 30 | CO | $25 | |
| 31 | MI | $25 | |
| 32 | OK | $25 | |
| 33 | WV | $25 | |
| 34 | WI | $25 | |
| 35 | MT | $20 | |
| 36 | UT | $18 | |
| 37 | IN | $15/yr | $30 biennial |
| 38 | IA | $15/yr | $30 biennial |
| 39 | KY | $15 | |
| 40 | PA | $7 | New annual report as of 2025 |
| 41 | NY | $4.50/yr | $9 biennial |
| 42 | NE | $6.50/yr | $13 biennial |
| 43-51 | AZ, ID, MN, MS, MO, NM, OH, SC, TX | $0 | No fee / no report or report with $0 fee |
Deep Dive: States with Hidden / Stacked Fees
California — Most Expensive ($810 minimum, up to $12,610+)
California has THREE separate mandatory filings for LLCs:
| Filing | Fee | Due | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Franchise Tax | $800/yr | April 15 | Form 3522 |
| Statement of Information | $20 (biennial) | Every 2 years | SI-LLC |
| LLC Fee (revenue-based) | $0-$11,790 | June 15 | Form 3536 |
LLC Fee schedule (Form 3536) — based on total annual gross receipts:
| Gross Receipts | Additional LLC Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $250,000 | $0 |
| $250,000 - $499,999 | $900 |
| $500,000 - $999,999 | $2,500 |
| $1,000,000 - $4,999,999 | $6,000 |
| $5,000,000+ | $11,790 |
Exemptions:
First-year franchise tax waiver (AB85) — expired December 31, 2023- No revenue exemptions for the $800 franchise tax — it is owed regardless of income or activity
- LLC Fee only applies if gross receipts exceed $250K
- LLCs that are dormant/inactive still owe $800/yr until formally dissolved
Total cost examples:
- Dormant LLC: $800 + $10/yr SOI = $810/yr
- LLC with $300K revenue: $800 + $900 + $10 = $1,710/yr
- LLC with $2M revenue: $800 + $6,000 + $10 = $6,810/yr
- LLC with $6M revenue: $800 + $11,790 + $10 = $12,600/yr
Nevada — Deceptively Expensive ($350/yr)
Nevada markets itself as "no state income tax" but has one of the highest LLC maintenance costs:
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annual List of Managers/Members | $150/yr | Anniversary month |
| State Business License Renewal | $200/yr | Anniversary month |
Both are filed together as a single combined filing through SilverFlume portal. Total: $350/yr.
What's NOT charged:
- No state income tax
- No franchise tax
- No gross receipts tax for most businesses
Exemptions:
- None. Both filings are mandatory regardless of revenue or activity.
- Failure to file: $150 penalty on the Annual List + additional penalties on the license.
Delaware — The "LLC Haven" ($300/yr)
Delaware is simple for LLCs — just one annual fee:
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Franchise Tax | $300/yr | June 1 |
Key facts:
- This is a flat $300 for ALL LLCs regardless of size, revenue, or members
- Delaware does NOT require LLCs to file an annual report (unlike corporations)
- No state income tax on out-of-state income
- The $300 is specifically an "Alternative Entity Tax" for LLCs, LPs, and GPs formed in Delaware
Exemptions:
- None. $300 is owed regardless of revenue or activity.
Hidden costs for non-DE residents:
- You MUST maintain a registered agent in Delaware (~$50-$300/yr from third parties)
- If you operate in another state, you also need to register as a foreign LLC there (additional fees)
Texas — Cheapest Large State ($0 for most)
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Public Information Report (PIR) | $0 | May 15 |
| Franchise Tax Return | $0 if revenue < $2.47M | May 15 |
Franchise Tax details (only if revenue > $2.47M):
- 0.375% of taxable margin for wholesalers/retailers
- 0.75% of taxable margin for all other businesses
- 0.331% of total revenue (EZ computation method)
- Threshold adjusted every 2 years per TX Tax Code 171.006
Exemptions:
- LLCs with less than $2.47M annual revenue: exempt from franchise tax (just file PIR)
- No-tax-due threshold means most small LLCs pay $0
Tennessee — Per-Member Pricing ($300 minimum)
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | $300 (1-6 members) | April 1 |
| Annual Report | $300 + $50/member over 6 | April 1 |
Fee examples:
- 1 member: $300
- 6 members: $300
- 7 members: $350
- 10 members: $500
- 20 members: $1,000
Note: There is NO statutory cap on the per-member fee. An LLC with 100 members would pay $300 + (94 x $50) = $5,000/yr.
Maryland — The Personal Property Trap ($300/yr)
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report + Personal Property Tax Return | $300 | April 15 |
Key facts:
- The "Annual Report" in Maryland is actually a Personal Property Tax Return filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
- ALL Maryland LLCs must file the Annual Report
- The Personal Property Tax Return portion is required if the LLC owns, uses, or leases personal property in Maryland, OR has a trader's license
- Additional personal property taxes may be owed beyond the $300 filing fee depending on the value of tangible personal property
Massachusetts — Highest Flat Report Fee ($500/yr)
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | $500 | Anniversary month |
Key facts:
- $500 is the highest flat annual report fee in the nation
- No exemptions, no reduced rate for small businesses
- Penalty for failure to register a foreign LLC: additional $500/yr per year not registered
- There is no escape: forming in WY/NV and operating in MA requires foreign LLC registration ($500/yr to MA) PLUS the home state's fees
Alabama — Variable Privilege Tax ($50 minimum)
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Business Privilege Tax | $50 minimum | April 15 |
How it works:
- Tax is based on LLC's net worth apportioned to Alabama
- Rate: $0.25 per $1,000 of net worth
- Minimum: $50
- Maximum: $15,000
- Most small LLCs with minimal net worth pay only $50
Wyoming — Asset-Based Scaling ($60 minimum)
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | $60 minimum | Anniversary month |
How it works:
- $60 flat fee if LLC assets in Wyoming are $300,000 or less
- If assets exceed $300,000, fee increases (calculated based on asset value)
- No state income tax
- Popular for holding companies and asset protection LLCs
Illinois — Recently Reduced ($75/yr)
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | $75 | Anniversary month |
History: Illinois reduced its LLC annual report fee from $250 to $75 effective January 1, 2023. This made Illinois significantly more competitive.
North Carolina — Quietly High ($200/yr)
| Filing | Fee | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | $200 | April 15 |
NC's $200 annual report is one of the higher flat fees but doesn't get the same attention as CA or MA. No additional franchise tax for LLCs.
States with $0 Annual Cost
These 9 states have NO mandatory annual fees for LLCs:
| State | Details |
|---|---|
| Arizona | No annual report required, no fee |
| Idaho | Must file annual information report, but $0 fee |
| Minnesota | Must file annual renewal, but $0 fee |
| Mississippi | No annual report required ($0); privilege tax applies only to S-Corps, not LLCs |
| Missouri | No annual report required, no fee |
| New Mexico | No annual report required, no fee |
| Ohio | No annual report required; Commercial Activity Tax only applies if revenue >$150K |
| South Carolina | No annual report unless LLC elects S-Corp tax treatment |
| Texas | Must file Public Information Report ($0 fee); franchise tax only if revenue >$2.47M |
Fee Type Glossary
| Fee Type | Description | States That Charge It |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | Basic filing to update state records (name, address, members, RA) | Most states |
| Franchise Tax | Tax on the privilege of existing as an entity in the state; NOT based on income | CA ($800), DE ($300), AR ($150) |
| Business License | State-level license to operate any business | NV ($200) |
| Annual List | Filing listing members/managers; separate from annual report in some states | NV ($150) |
| Business Privilege Tax | Tax on privilege of doing business; calculated on net worth | AL ($50 min) |
| Personal Property Tax Return | Return declaring tangible property owned; required even if $0 owed | MD ($300) |
| LLC Fee | Additional fee based on gross receipts / revenue | CA ($0-$11,790) |
| Public Information Report | Informational filing with no fee | TX ($0) |
| Periodic Report | Same as annual report, just named differently | CO ($25) |
Exemptions Summary
Revenue-Based Exemptions
- Texas: Franchise tax exempt if revenue < $2.47M (threshold adjusted biennially)
- California: LLC Fee (Form 3536) exempt if gross receipts < $250K (but $800 franchise tax always applies)
- Ohio: Commercial Activity Tax exempt if revenue < $150K
- Alabama: Minimum $50 BPT regardless of revenue; scales with net worth not revenue
Entity Type Exemptions
- Connecticut: Business Entity Tax ($250 biennial) applies to corps only, NOT LLCs
- Mississippi: Privilege tax applies to S-Corps only; LLCs taxed as partnerships/sole props are exempt
- South Carolina: Annual report only required if LLC elects S-Corp tax treatment
First-Year Exemptions
- California: First-year franchise tax waiver (AB85) expired December 31, 2023 — no longer available
- Most states do NOT offer first-year waivers
New Business / Small Business Exemptions
- No states offer blanket small business exemptions for annual compliance fees
- Fees are generally owed regardless of revenue, profit, or activity level
- The only "exemptions" are revenue thresholds (TX, CA, OH) that waive ADDITIONAL taxes, not the base filing
Data for PW Annual Reports Service Pricing
Our Annual Reports service charges $99/yr per state as a service fee. State fees are pass-through.
Client total cost = $99 (PW service) + state fee (from table above)
| Cost Tier | States | Client Total (PW + state) |
|---|---|---|
| $99 only (no state fee) | AZ, ID, MN, MS, MO, NM, OH, SC, TX | $99 |
| Under $150 total | NY, NE, PA, IN, IA, KY, HI, MT, UT, CO, MI, OK, WV, WI, LA | $103.50 - $134 |
| $150-$199 total | VT, KS, AK, ND, RI, VA, SD, WA, GA, WY, IL | $144 - $174 |
| $200-$299 total | CT, ME, NJ, OR, NH, FL, AR, DC | $179 - $249 |
| $300+ total | NC, DE, MD, TN, NV, MA, CA | $299 - $909 |
High-Cost State Warnings for Clients
When a client selects annual report service for these states, display a cost breakdown:
- CA: "$99 service + $800 franchise tax + $20 SOI = $919 minimum"
- MA: "$99 service + $500 state fee = $599"
- NV: "$99 service + $350 state fees = $449"
- DE: "$99 service + $300 franchise tax = $399"
- MD: "$99 service + $300 state fee = $399"
- TN: "$99 service + $300 state fee = $399 (1-6 members)"
- NC: "$99 service + $200 state fee = $299"
Changelog
- 2026-04-01: Initial comprehensive version with all fee categories, exemptions, and hidden fees
- Source data from LLC University (updated July 2025 for 2026 fees), cross-referenced with state SOS websites