How Much Does It Cost to Form a Business
The sticker price of formation is only part of the story. State fees are fixed, but the total varies with the structure you choose and whether you use a service or a lawyer.
Expect filing fees, registered agent costs, and possibly professional help. Ongoing costs like annual reports and franchise taxes continue long after formation day.
- State filing fees typically run from $50 to $500
- Registered agent service adds $100 to $300 a year
- Formation services charge $0 to $300 plus state fees
- Lawyer-drafted formation can run higher for complex setups
Budget for the recurring costs too, not just the one-time filing. The cheapest formation is not the goal; the goal is getting the structure right the first time.