Texas LLC Cost: Filing Fee, Annual Fees and 5-Year Total
Forming an LLC in Texas costs $300 in state filing fees and has no recurring state fee in our data. Texas's estimated five-year state costs of $300 are 10% below the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Checked against official state sources (October 2026) · Last verified: October 29, 2026 · Sources
What an LLC costs in Texas
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee | $300 | One time |
| Recurring state filing / report fee | $0 | No Secretary of State annual fee; the Comptroller requires an annual Public Information Report and franchise tax filing, with no tax due below a revenue threshold |
| Year-one cost | $300 | Formation fee + any year-one extra |
| Estimated 5-year state costs | $300 | Formation + year-one extras + 4 years of filing / report fees; ranks 24th cheapest of 51 |
The five-year figure counts state government fees and, where one applies, the separate mandatory annual state tax shown above. It assumes a single-member LLC owned by an individual with little or no income. It excludes registered agent services, formation-service fees, publication costs, local business licenses, income-based state taxes (income, gross-receipts, B&O, sales) and any optional extras. How we calculate it.
Other state taxes (not in the totals)
The Comptroller's franchise tax is $0 for an LLC with annualized total revenue of $2.65 million or less (report year 2026), and no 'No Tax Due' report is required for report year 2024 and later. A single-member LLC is still a taxable entity and must file the Public Information Report (Form 05-102) by May 15 each year.
Verified details
- Certificate of formation for a domestic LLC: $300 (Texas Secretary of State fee schedule).
- An out-of-state LLC that transacts business in Texas files Form 304 (application for registration) for $750.
- Texas has no Secretary of State annual report fee. The Comptroller requires an annual franchise tax report and Public Information Report; no tax is due below a revenue threshold the Comptroller sets, so check the current threshold and due date there.
Annual reports and upkeep
Texas filing cadence: Annual (Comptroller). No Secretary of State annual fee; the Comptroller requires an annual Public Information Report and franchise tax filing, with no tax due below a revenue threshold. Missing filings can lead to late fees and, eventually, administrative dissolution, so put the dates in a calendar. See annual reports and franchise taxes explained.
How to form an LLC in Texas
- Check the name. Search the Texas business records on the Secretary of State / filing office site to confirm your LLC name is available and includes an LLC designator.
- Pick a registered agent. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. You can serve as your own agent if you live in Texas and are reachable during business hours, or hire a commercial agent. Registered agent guide.
- File the formation document. The state filing fee is $300. Use the state's online filing portal where available; paper filing is slower.
- Write an operating agreement. Most states do not require you to file one, but banks and partners typically ask for it, and it sets ownership and decision rules. Operating agreement basics.
- Get an EIN. The IRS issues EINs for free through its online application. Beware of sites that charge for it.
- Open a business bank account and calendar the deadlines. Put the annual (comptroller) filing dates in a calendar so the LLC stays in good standing.
Want someone else to handle the filing in Texas?
A formation service files the paperwork for a fee on top of the state fee and often includes a first year of registered agent service. It saves time, but you can file directly with the state for the state fee alone. Compare DIY and services.
See a formation service (partner link) Sponsored
Living or operating outside Texas?
You can form an LLC in Texas even if you live elsewhere, but if you actually do business in your home state you will usually also have to register the LLC there as a foreign LLC and pay that state's fees, so you may pay twice. In Texas, an out-of-state LLC that transacts business must register for $750 (Form 304). See forming an LLC in a state other than your own.
Compare Texas with similar-cost states
| State | Formation | Annual | 5-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $100 | $50 | $300 |
| Kansas | $85 | $45 | $265 |
| Louisiana | $125 | $35 | $265 |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 | $335 |
Head-to-head: Texas vs California · Texas vs Florida · Texas vs New York · Texas vs Delaware · Texas vs Wyoming · Texas vs Nevada · Texas vs New Mexico · Texas vs Georgia
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Texas?
The state filing fee is $300. Add a registered agent if you do not serve as your own, plus any local licenses.
What is the annual cost of an LLC in Texas?
No Secretary of State annual fee; the Comptroller requires an annual Public Information Report and franchise tax filing, with no tax due below a revenue threshold. Other taxes or local fees may still apply.
Do I need a registered agent in Texas?
Yes. Texas requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. You may act as your own agent if you meet the state's requirements.
Do I need an operating agreement in Texas?
Most states do not make you file one, but you should have one. Check Texas's LLC statute and ask your bank what it requires. We do not give legal advice.
Is Texas cheap compared with other states?
Texas's estimated five-year state costs of $300 are 10% below the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Sources
- Texas official filing site: www.sos.state.tx.us
- Texas SOS fee schedule (Form 806)
- Texas SOS: foreign entity FAQs
- Texas Comptroller: franchise tax
- TX Comptroller: franchise tax report forms for 2026
- TX Comptroller: no tax due reporting for report year 2024 and later
Fees change. Confirm the amount on the state's official page before you file.
Fee data: official state government pages and statutes (checked October 28–29, 2026); sources are linked on each state page. See our methodology. Not legal or tax advice.