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Keeping an LLC in good standing costs anywhere from $0 a year in New Mexico, Arizona, or Ohio to about $810 a year in California — and the state you pick decides most of that bill. On top of the state fee, a typical small LLC pays roughly $100–$300 a year for a registered agent and anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a year for bookkeeping and tax filing, depending on how much professional help you use. Miss a deadline and penalties — like Florida’s $400 late fee — can cost more than the fee itself.
As of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. State fees change; always verify on the Secretary of State website before filing.
Table of Contents
- The 5 Recurring Costs of an LLC
- State-by-State Annual LLC Fee Table (2026)
- The Four States Non-US Founders Compare Most
- The Hidden Costs Foreigners Underestimate
- Penalties for Missing Deadlines
- How to Lower Your LLC’s Annual Maintenance Cost
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Sources
The 5 Recurring Costs of an LLC
Formation is a one-time bill — see our full breakdown of LLC formation costs for that. Maintenance is the bill that shows up every year. It falls into five categories:
| Recurring cost | Typical range per year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State annual report / franchise tax | $0–$800 | Fixed by your formation state (table below) |
| Registered agent service | $0 (self-serve, if eligible) – $200 | Required in every state; Registered Agents Inc charges $200/year as a standalone, with the first year free in their formation bundle |
| Bookkeeping and tax filing | $0 (DIY) – $500–$2,500+ | Foreign-owned LLCs usually need a CPA for Form 5472 reporting |
| Business licenses and permits | $0–$400 | City/county or industry-specific; check locally |
| Foreign qualification | $100–$500 per state | Only if you register your LLC in a second state where you do business |
A lean single-member LLC in a low-fee state can realistically be maintained for under $300 a year (state fee + registered agent). A foreign-owned LLC in Delaware with CPA-prepared tax filings will land closer to $1,000–$1,500 a year. The state fee is the part you control on day one — which is exactly why choosing the right formation state matters so much. Our best-state guide for non-resident founders walks through that decision.
State-by-State Annual LLC Fee Table (2026)
These are the state filing fees only — registered agent, taxes, and penalties are separate. Fees were cross-checked against current Secretary of State published fee schedules and legal cost surveys in September–October 2026; always confirm the current figure before you file.
| State | Annual / recurring LLC fee | Frequency | Separate franchise/minimum tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $0 | No annual report | None |
| Arizona | $0 | No annual report | None |
| Ohio | $0 | No annual report | None |
| Texas | $0 | Public Information Report filed yearly, no fee | Franchise tax only above the no-tax-due threshold (roughly $2.5M in revenue — check current figure) |
| Pennsylvania | $7 | Annual report | None |
| Michigan | $25 | Annual statement | None |
| Colorado | $25 | Periodic report | None |
| Louisiana | $35 | Annual report (raised from $30 by Act 921, effective Oct 1, 2026) | None |
| Wyoming | $60 (minimum; asset-based, can be higher) | Annual license tax / annual report | None |
| Illinois | $75 | Annual report | None |
| New Jersey | $75 | Annual report | None |
| New Hampshire | $100 | Annual report | None |
| Florida | $138.75 | Annual report, due Jan 1 – May 1 | None |
| North Carolina | $200 | Annual report, due by April 15 | None |
| Nevada | ~$350 ($150 annual list + $200 state business license) | Annual | None |
| Delaware | $400 | Annual LLC tax, due by June 1 (raised from $300 by House Bill 400, effective Jan 1, 2026) | No separate report — the tax IS the filing |
| New York | $9 (biennial statement) | Every 2 years | Separate LLC filing fee under Tax Law 658 (varies by income — check current schedule) |
| California | $800 franchise tax + $20 statement every 2 years | Annual tax | $800 minimum, due even if you earn nothing |
| Massachusetts | $500 | Annual report | None |
The headline lesson: Wyoming and New Mexico cost $60 or less a year in state fees, while California charges $800 before you earn a single dollar. Delaware sits in the middle at $400 — modest compared to its prestige reputation, and far cheaper than Nevada’s roughly $350-per-year renewal pair of filings.
The Four States Non-US Founders Compare Most
Most foreign founders choose from Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico, or Texas. Here is what each costs to maintain in practice, including a registered agent at a standard paid rate for comparison:
Wyoming — roughly $260/year all-in. The $60 minimum annual license tax plus a registered agent (~$200/year after any first-year-free bundle). No state income tax, no annual report fee beyond the license tax. The classic choice for privacy-minded foreigners: cheap to keep, quick to file.
Delaware — roughly $600/year all-in. The $400 annual LLC tax (due June 1 — never quote the old $300 figure; it changed for tax year 2026) plus a registered agent (~$200/year). No annual report to file; paying the tax is the entire compliance event. Best known for court prestige and investor familiarity, though most solo non-resident founders do not need those.
New Mexico — roughly $200/year all-in. Zero annual report and zero annual fee — the registered agent is essentially your only recurring cost. If your priority is the absolute lowest maintenance bill and you do not need Wyoming’s privacy features, New Mexico wins the spreadsheet.
Texas — roughly $200/year all-in. The annual Public Information Report costs $0 to file; the franchise tax only kicks in above the no-tax-due revenue threshold. No state income tax. Texas makes most sense for founders who actually operate physically in the US — it is also where many choose to form their LLC when they live in-state.
One caution: if you form in Wyoming but actually operate in California, California will treat you as a foreign LLC doing business in-state — you register there too, pay its $800 minimum franchise tax, and may need a second registered agent. Our annual compliance requirements guide explains how to tell when you have triggered this.
The Hidden Costs Foreigners Underestimate
The state fee is only the headline. Non-US founders are routinely surprised by these five:
1. Registered agent renewal. You must maintain a registered agent in your formation state every year. Registered Agents Inc includes one year free in its $100 + state fee formation bundle, then renews at $200/year as a standalone service — competitive with the industry’s typical $100–$300 range. This is the single most common “forgotten” bill because the first year feels free.
2. Tax filing and Form 5472. A foreign-owned single-member LLC is treated as a “disregarded entity” but must file Form 1120 plus Form 5472 with the IRS each year — a reportable transaction return that almost always requires a US CPA. Expect roughly $500–$1,500 per year for a CPA to handle this correctly (check current pricing with your provider). Getting it wrong is expensive: the IRS penalty for a missing or incomplete Form 5472 is $25,000 per year under IRC 6038A. Our Form 5472 guide walks through exactly what is required.
3. New York’s publication requirement. New York’s $9 biennial statement looks like the cheapest fee in America — until you learn that new LLCs must publish a formation notice in two newspapers for six consecutive weeks. In New York City this routinely costs $1,000–$2,000; upstate counties are cheaper but still hundreds. It is a one-time cost, not annual, but it blindsides founders who picked New York for the $200 formation fee.
4. Foreign qualification. If your LLC is formed in one state but does business in another (office, warehouse, employees, or regular in-person activity there), most states require you to register as a “foreign LLC” and pay that state’s annual fees too. Qualification fees run roughly $100–$500 per extra state, plus a second registered agent. Remote e-commerce founders selling only online usually avoid this; anyone with a US physical footprint should check.
5. Local business licenses. Cities and counties often require their own business license or tax registration, typically $25–$400 per year depending on the location and industry. This is entirely separate from the state fee and catches out founders who budget only for the state line item.
And one thing that is not a cost anymore: BOI reporting. FinCEN’s final rule of August 11, 2026 (effective August 14, 2026) permanently exempts US-formed companies from beneficial ownership reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act — even when 100% foreign-owned — and FinCEN is deleting previously reported US-person data. If an old guide or a service provider tries to charge you for BOI filing on a US-formed LLC, that service is obsolete.
Penalties for Missing Deadlines
Late fees are where cheap states get expensive. Verified penalty figures (as of October 2026):
| State | Late penalty | Escalation |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $400 late fee | Administrative dissolution if still unfiled |
| California | $250 penalty + possible suspension | Franchise Tax Board can suspend the LLC |
| Delaware | $200 penalty + 1.5% monthly interest on the $400 tax | Forfeiture of good standing |
| Texas | $50 per late Public Information Report | Forfeiture after continued non-filing |
| Nevada | $75 (list) + $100 (license) late fees | Possible revocation |
| Illinois | $100 after 60 days late | Administrative dissolution |
| Wyoming | No dollar fine — but the state can administratively dissolve the LLC for a missed annual report | Reinstatement costs extra and takes weeks |
Dissolution is the real punishment: a dissolved LLC loses its liability protection and its name, and banks and payment processors freeze accounts when good standing lapses. The fix is embarrassingly simple — a calendar reminder 30 days before each deadline, which your registered agent service will usually also send.
How to Lower Your LLC’s Annual Maintenance Cost
- Pick a low-fee state on day one. Wyoming ($60), New Mexico ($0), or Texas ($0) beat California ($800) by hundreds of dollars a year, every year, forever.
- Bundle the registered agent with formation. Registered Agents Inc’s $100 + state fee formation bundle includes the state filing, a domain name, a website, and one year of free registered agent service — check current pricing for their $5/month add-on tools (website, phone, email) if you need them.
- Do not skip the tax filing. The $25,000 Form 5472 penalty dwarfs any CPA fee. For foreign-owned LLCs, professional tax help is not optional spending — it is insurance.
- Avoid foreign qualification when you can. If you sell online with no US physical presence, one formation state is enough. Expanding into a state with employees or a warehouse is when the second-state bill arrives.
- File early. Every penalty in the table above is avoidable with a single reminder. File annual reports in the first month of the window, not the last.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost per year to maintain a Wyoming LLC?
About $260 a year all-in: the $60 minimum annual license tax plus a registered agent at roughly $200 a year after any first-year-free bundle. Wyoming has no state income tax and no separate annual report fee, which is why it is the most popular low-maintenance choice for non-US founders. Verify the current license-tax figure on the Wyoming Secretary of State site.
Is Delaware’s $400 annual LLC tax really mandatory every year?
Yes. Every Delaware LLC pays a flat $400 annual tax due by June 1, whether it earned revenue or not. The old $300 figure ended with tax year 2025 — Delaware House Bill 400 raised it effective January 1, 2026. A $200 penalty plus 1.5% monthly interest applies to late payment. Note this is LLCs only; Delaware C-corporations use a different franchise tax schedule.
Do I still need to file BOI reports for my US LLC in 2026?
No. FinCEN’s final rule of August 11, 2026 (effective August 14, 2026) permanently exempts US-formed companies from Corporate Transparency Act reporting, even when owned entirely by foreign nationals, and FinCEN is deleting previously submitted US-person data. Only companies incorporated abroad and registered to do business in a US state still have a BOI obligation.
What happens if I forget to file my LLC’s annual report?
It depends on the state, but the path is the same everywhere: late fees first (Florida charges $400), then administrative dissolution — the state cancels your LLC, which can freeze bank accounts and void your liability protection. Reinstatement costs extra fees and weeks of processing. Set a reminder 30 days before every deadline.
Can I be my own registered agent to save $200 a year?
Only if you have a physical street address in the formation state and are available there during business hours to receive legal documents — which rules out nearly every non-US founder and most digital nomads. For foreigners, a commercial registered agent is effectively mandatory, so budget it as a fixed annual cost.
Is it cheaper to maintain an LLC in New Mexico than Wyoming?
In pure state fees, yes: New Mexico has no annual report and no annual fee, while Wyoming charges a $60 minimum license tax. Wyoming’s advantages are different — stronger privacy protections and a longer track record with foreign founders. If lowest cost is your only criterion, New Mexico wins; if privacy and reputation matter, Wyoming’s extra $60 a year is money well spent.
Conclusion
Maintaining an LLC is a predictable, budgetable expense — the founders who get hurt are the ones who only budgeted for formation. Pick your state with the annual bill in mind (Wyoming at $60 and New Mexico at $0 beat California’s $800 every single year), keep a registered agent in place, never skip the Form 5472 if you are foreign-owned, and file every report early. Do that, and your LLC stays in good standing for a few hundred dollars a year instead of a few thousand in penalties and reinstatements.
If you have not formed your LLC yet, this is the cheapest moment to get the math right. Forming through Registered Agents Inc costs $100 + state fee — covering the state filing, a domain name, a website, and your first year of registered agent service free — so your year-one maintenance bill is just the state fee itself. Check current pricing when you order, and start your LLC on the right side of the annual-cost equation.
Sources
- Wyoming Secretary of State — annual report / license tax fee schedule
- Delaware Division of Corporations — LLC annual tax ($400, due June 1); House Bill 400 (effective Jan 1, 2026)
- Louisiana Secretary of State — Act 921 annual report fee ($35, effective Oct 1, 2026)
- Florida Division of Corporations — annual report fee ($138.75) and $400 late fee
- California Franchise Tax Board — $800 minimum franchise tax
- FinCEN — final rule of August 11, 2026, exempting US-formed companies from BOI reporting (effective August 14, 2026)
- IRS — Form 5472 filing requirements and IRC 6038A penalties for foreign-owned disregarded entities