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Starting an LLC in Connecticut costs $120 and takes 2–3 business days when you file online. You submit a Certificate of Organization to the Connecticut Secretary of the State (note the unusual official name — it really is “Secretary of the State”) through the Business.CT.gov portal, appoint a registered agent with a Connecticut street address, and keep the LLC active with an $80 annual report filed between January 1 and March 31 each year. No SSN or ITIN is required, so non-US founders can form a Connecticut LLC entirely from abroad. This guide walks through every step with current fees, verified October 12, 2026.
Table of Contents
- Connecticut LLC at a Glance
- Step 1: Choose a Name for Your Connecticut LLC
- Step 2: Appoint a Connecticut Registered Agent
- Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization
- Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
- Step 5: Get an EIN from the IRS
- Step 6: Register with the CT Department of Revenue Services
- Step 7: Open a Business Bank Account
- Step 8: Stay Compliant — Annual Report and Taxes
- How Much Does a Connecticut LLC Cost?
- Connecticut LLCs for Non-US Founders
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Connecticut LLC at a Glance
| Item | Connecticut requirement |
|---|---|
| Formation document | Certificate of Organization (Domestic LLC) |
| Filing office | Connecticut Secretary of the State, via Business.CT.gov |
| Filing fee | $120 |
| Processing time | 2–3 business days online; 7–10 business days by mail |
| Expedited option | $50 extra for ~24-hour online processing |
| Registered agent | CT resident or CT-registered business with a CT street address (no P.O. boxes) |
| Annual report | $80/year, filed online January 1 – March 31, starting the year after formation |
| Business entity tax | None — the old $250 tax was repealed (see Step 8) |
| Publication requirement | None |
| Operating agreement | Not legally required, strongly recommended |
Step 1: Choose a Name for Your Connecticut LLC
Your LLC name must include a designator such as “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company,” and it must be distinguishable from every business name already on record with the Secretary of the State. Connecticut checks this strictly — a name that is confusingly similar to an existing one will be rejected, and you lose the filing fee.
Search the Connecticut Business Records Search (found on the Business.CT.gov portal) before you file. Check for exact matches and close variants, and search plural/singular versions of your name too.
One optional extra: Connecticut lets you reserve a name for a fee while you prepare your filing (check the current fee schedule on the Secretary of the State’s site). Most founders skip this since online filing takes just days. Also check your matching .com domain — several formation bundles include one, so you can lock it in while you file.
If you want to compare Connecticut against the most popular formation states before committing, see our guide to the best state to form an LLC as a non-resident.
Step 2: Appoint a Connecticut Registered Agent
Connecticut law requires every LLC to continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Connecticut — P.O. boxes and mail-forwarding addresses don’t qualify. The agent can be an individual Connecticut resident or a business entity authorized to do business in Connecticut, and the LLC itself cannot serve as its own agent (Conn. Gen. Stat. chapter 613a).
The agent accepts service of process and official state mail during business hours. Connecticut residents working from home can serve as their own agent, but the home address becomes public record — and for non-US founders without a Connecticut address, a professional agent is effectively mandatory.
A professional service typically costs $125–$300 per year. When comparing providers, check that they include same-day document scanning, compliance reminders for the annual report, and a real Connecticut office — not just a forwarding address. See our explainer on whether you need a registered agent for the full breakdown of the DIY vs. professional tradeoffs.
If you’d rather have the filing and the agent handled together, Registered Agents Inc offers formation for $100 + state fee ($120 in Connecticut), which includes the state filing, a domain name, a website, and one year of free registered agent service. Their standalone registered agent service runs $200/year, and standalone domains start at $4.95/year — check current pricing for add-on tools like their website, phone, and email plans ($5/month each).
Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization
The Certificate of Organization is the document that legally creates your Connecticut LLC. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 34-247, your LLC exists only once the Secretary of the State accepts this filing — before acceptance, you have no liability protection.
Where to file: online through the Business.CT.gov portal (the fastest route), or by mail to the Secretary of the State’s office in Hartford. Connecticut also accepts a “digital upload” filing through the portal for those who prefer to complete the PDF form offline and upload it.
Filing fee: $120, the same for every method.
Information you’ll need on the form:
– The exact LLC name with its designator
– The principal office address (can be outside Connecticut)
– The registered agent’s name and Connecticut street address, plus written consent from the agent to serve
– The name and address of each organizer (the person signing the filing)
– Whether the LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed
– An effective date — either the filing date or a future date within 30 days
Filing methods and processing times
| Method | Fee | Typical processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online (Business.CT.gov) | $120 | 2–3 business days | Recommended; most filings are accepted quickly |
| Expedited online | $120 + $50 | ~24 hours | Add the $50 expedite option at checkout |
| Digital upload | $120 | 3–5 business days | Upload a completed PDF through the portal |
| $120 | 7–10 business days plus transit | Checks payable to “Secretary of the State” |
Processing times are approximate — confirm the Secretary of the State’s current guidance (860-509-6002) before planning around a deadline. Online filers get the approved Certificate of Organization by email; mail filers get an acceptance notice with a Business ID number. Free plain copies are always available via the Business Records search; certified copies cost extra. All fees in this guide are verified against the state’s published schedule as of October 12, 2026 — if an older article quotes a different figure, trust the current schedule.
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Connecticut does not require LLCs to file or even create an operating agreement — but you should have one anyway. This internal document defines who owns what, who manages the company, how profits and losses are distributed, and what happens if a member leaves or the LLC dissolves.
For single-member LLCs, it proves the business is real and separate — banks ask for it, and it strengthens your liability shield. For multi-member LLCs, it prevents disputes over voting, money, and exits. Without one, Connecticut’s default rules apply, and they rarely match what founders want.
Our LLC operating agreement guide includes the clauses every agreement should contain and templates you can adapt.
Step 5: Get an EIN from the IRS
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the LLC’s federal tax ID. You’ll need it to open a US bank account, hire employees, file federal taxes, and — for foreign owners — file Form 5472. The IRS issues EINs free of charge; never pay a service just for the number itself.
- If you have an SSN: apply online on the IRS website and receive the EIN immediately.
- If you’re a non-US founder without an SSN or ITIN: complete IRS Form SS-4 and fax it to the IRS’s international line, or mail it. No SSN or ITIN is required to obtain an EIN as a foreign applicant. Faxed applications are typically processed in about a week; mailed applications take several weeks. See our detailed walkthrough on how to get an EIN as a foreigner for the exact fax number, line-by-line SS-4 instructions, and what to do if your application stalls.
One caution: only apply for one EIN per responsible party per day, and don’t submit duplicate applications — duplicates are the most common cause of SS-4 rejections for foreign founders.
Step 6: Register with the CT Department of Revenue Services
Connecticut has no general statewide business license — but you may need tax registrations and industry-specific permits. Register with the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) via its myconneCT portal if any of these apply:
- You sell taxable goods or services in Connecticut. You need a Sales and Use Tax Permit before making your first sale ($100 registration fee, per DRS). Connecticut’s general sales tax rate is 6.35% (2026), with higher rates on certain categories like restaurant meals.
- You hire employees. You must register for Connecticut income tax withholding, even for a single employee.
- You operate in a licensed industry. Restaurants, contractors, childcare providers, and many professional services need state licenses or permits on top of the LLC filing.
For the full picture of which licenses an LLC does and doesn’t need, read our guide on whether you need a business license for your LLC.
Step 7: Open a Business Bank Account
Keep business money separate from day one — commingling funds is the fastest way to lose liability protection. Banks typically ask for your accepted Certificate of Organization, operating agreement, EIN confirmation letter, and ID.
Non-US founders face one extra wrinkle in 2026: Mercury, the fintech account many guides still recommend unconditionally, blocks founders resident in roughly 48 countries (including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and the Philippines — check Mercury’s published prohibited-country list before you plan around it). If you live in a blocked country, Wise Business is the default first pick, with Relay as another option depending on your country. Our banking comparison for non-resident LLCs walks through the eligibility rules account by account.
Step 8: Stay Compliant — Annual Report and Taxes
Annual report: $80, January 1 – March 31
Every Connecticut LLC must file an annual report online with the Secretary of the State between January 1 and March 31 each year, starting the year after formation (so an LLC formed in October 2026 first reports in early 2027). The fee is $80. There is no late fee, but don’t treat the deadline casually — an LLC that stays in default can eventually be dissolved by forfeiture, and you lose good standing, which blocks financing, lawsuits, and foreign qualification in other states.
The business entity tax is gone
Older guides still mention Connecticut’s $250 Business Entity Tax — it no longer applies. The tax was repealed effective January 1, 2020 (Public Act 19-117), so no Connecticut LLC owes it in 2026. If an article quotes the BET as a current cost, it’s out of date.
Taxes on LLC profits
A standard Connecticut LLC is a pass-through: the LLC pays no Connecticut income tax, and profits are taxed at the member level (graduated 3%–6.99% as of 2026). LLCs electing C-corp taxation instead owe the Corporation Business Tax. Ask a tax advisor about Connecticut’s elective pass-through entity tax, which some multi-member LLCs use.
Foreign-owned single-member LLCs have a federal reporting obligation too: Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year, even with zero US activity. Our Form 5472 guide covers it step by step.
BOI note (2026): FinCEN’s final rule of August 11, 2026 (effective August 14, 2026) permanently exempted US-formed companies — including Connecticut LLCs, even those owned by foreign nationals — from beneficial ownership reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act. There is nothing to file with FinCEN for a Connecticut LLC.
How Much Does a Connecticut LLC Cost?
| Cost | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Organization | $120 | One-time |
| Optional expedited processing | $50 | One-time |
| Annual report | $80 | Every year (Jan 1 – Mar 31) |
| Registered agent (professional) | $125–$300/yr typical | Every year |
| Sales tax permit (if selling) | $100 | One-time registration |
| Old business entity tax | $0 (repealed 2020) | — |
| First-year DIY total | ~$120–$250 | Depending on agent choice |
For the all-in picture across states, see our breakdown of LLC formation and maintenance costs. Neighboring-state comparisons: how does Connecticut stack up against Delaware and New York for your situation?
Connecticut LLCs for Non-US Founders
Forming from abroad? Here’s what changes:
- No SSN or ITIN needed to form. The Certificate of Organization requires an organizer’s name and address — your foreign address is fine.
- The registered agent is the one local piece you can’t DIY. Without a Connecticut address, you need a professional agent. Budget for it from year one.
- EIN by fax or mail on Form SS-4. Start this immediately after formation; it’s the longest lead-time item in the whole process.
- Banking needs a plan. Confirm your country’s eligibility before choosing a provider — Mercury’s blocked-country list catches many founders off guard (see Step 7).
- Form 5472 is mandatory. Foreign-owned single-member LLCs file it annually regardless of activity. Miss it and the IRS penalty is $25,000.
- Consider where your customers are. With its $80 annual report and income tax rates, Connecticut costs more to maintain than Wyoming or New Mexico if you have no real CT presence. Our non-resident formation guide compares the tradeoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Connecticut?
The state fee is $120 to form, plus $80 per year for the annual report. DIY costs $120 in year one. With a professional registered agent ($125–$300/year typical) and optional $50 expedited processing, most founders spend $250–$470 all-in for year one.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Connecticut?
Online filings through Business.CT.gov are typically processed in 2–3 business days. Paying the $50 expedite fee cuts that to about 24 hours. Digital uploads take 3–5 business days, and mailed filings take 7–10 business days plus transit time. Processing times are approximate and vary with state workload.
Can a non-US citizen start an LLC in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut requires no SSN, ITIN, or US residency — your foreign address works on the Certificate of Organization. You will need a registered agent with a Connecticut street address, and you’ll get your EIN by faxing or mailing Form SS-4 to the IRS, since the online EIN application requires an SSN or ITIN.
Does Connecticut have an annual LLC tax?
No. Connecticut repealed its $250 Business Entity Tax effective January 1, 2020, and LLCs owe no entity-level income tax as pass-throughs. The only recurring state cost is the $80 annual report, due January 1–March 31 each year. LLCs electing C-corp taxation are subject to the Corporation Business Tax instead.
Do I need a business license for my LLC in Connecticut?
No general statewide business license exists. But you must register with the Department of Revenue Services via myconneCT if you sell taxable goods or services ($100 sales tax permit) or hire employees (withholding registration). Industries like food, construction, childcare, and professional services also need specific state licenses or local permits.
Is an operating agreement required for a Connecticut LLC?
No, Connecticut law doesn’t require one. But every LLC should have one: it defines ownership, management, and profit-sharing, protects single-member LLCs’ liability shield, and prevents disputes in multi-member LLCs. Banks frequently ask for it when you open a business account.
Final Thoughts
Connecticut keeps formation simple: one $120 filing, one $80 annual report, no publication step, and no business entity tax. Get two things right: the registered agent (a real Connecticut street address, not a P.O. box) and the March 31 annual report deadline — miss it and good standing slips away fast.
If you want the filing done for you, Registered Agents Inc forms your Connecticut LLC for $100 + state fee — that covers the $120 state filing, a domain name, a website, and one year of free registered agent service, so you’re compliant from day one. Read our full Registered Agents Inc review for the detailed breakdown, and check current pricing on their site for add-on tools (website, phone, and email plans run $5/month each).
Fees and processing times verified against the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s published fee schedule and DRS guidance, October 12, 2026. State fees change — always confirm the current schedule before filing.