Company Registration Fee Services for US Businesses

US company registration fees vary by the state of formation and the entity type you choose. Costs may include a state name reservation, Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation filing fee, Registered Agent fee, and any expedited filing charge. After formation, many states require annual reports or franchise-tax payments. Federal EIN registration through the IRS generally does not carry a fee.

A complete formation budget should account for the state filing charge, Registered Agent service, preparation of an Operating Agreement or Bylaws, EIN support, business licenses where applicable, and initial banking or professional-service costs. You should also plan for recurring expenses such as annual reports, state franchise taxes, bookkeeping, tax filings, payroll administration, and beneficial ownership reporting obligations where applicable.

They can differ, although the exact amount depends on the state. An LLC is usually formed by filing Articles of Organization, while a corporation files Articles of Incorporation. States may set different filing fees, annual report requirements, and franchise-tax rules for each structure. The right choice should reflect ownership, taxation, investment plans, governance preferences, and the state where the business will operate.

An EIN is separate from state entity formation. After your LLC, corporation, or other entity is registered with the Secretary of State, the business generally obtains an EIN from the IRS. The EIN is commonly needed to open a business bank account, hire employees, file federal tax returns, and manage certain state tax registrations. The IRS does not charge for an EIN application.

Most states require an LLC or corporation to maintain a Registered Agent in its state of formation. The Registered Agent must have a physical in-state address and be available to receive official notices, legal documents, and state correspondence during normal business hours. Registered Agent fees are typically recurring, so they should be included when evaluating both first-year and ongoing registration costs.

Ongoing costs may include annual or biennial report filing fees, state franchise taxes, Registered Agent renewal, business-license renewals, and federal or state tax compliance. Requirements vary significantly by state and entity type. Depending on the company’s activities, it may also need sales-tax registration, payroll filings, bookkeeping, corporate governance documentation, and periodic beneficial ownership reporting reviews.

Yes, non-US residents can generally form a US LLC or corporation, subject to the requirements of the chosen state and the company’s business activities. The entity will still need a Registered Agent in its formation state, state formation documents, and an EIN. Tax treatment, banking procedures, ownership reporting, and immigration matters require separate consideration and should be reviewed carefully.

Timing depends on the formation state, entity type, filing volume, document readiness, and whether expedited processing is selected. Some state filings may be processed quickly, while others take longer during busy periods. The overall timeline can also include name availability, state approval, EIN application, bank-account onboarding, and any required tax or license registrations after the entity is formed.