Calculator

LLC True Cost Calculator

The state fee is only the opening bill. This tool adds the recurring state charge over the years you choose, then layers in optional help at the price you were quoted.

State

How will you file?

File it yourselfState fee only, before optional help.Use a filing serviceEnter the quote you were given.

Registered agent

You or your businessNo agent fee in this estimate.Paid agentEnter the annual price yourself.

Years to projectOperating agreement cost, if any

California result

$4,130

Estimated total over 5 years.

State filing and recurring state fees: $4,130
Filing service: $0
Paid registered agent: $0
Operating agreement: $0

State fee basis: Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1), $70. Recurring: Franchise Tax Board annual LLC tax, $800 per year, plus Statement of Information, $20 every two years. Due rule: Statement of Information is due within 90 days of formation, then every two years. The $800 FTB tax is due by the 15th day of the 4th month of each tax year.

This is a planning estimate. Taxes, local licenses, permits, publication rules, and professional fees are not included.

How the formula works

The state portion is the initial filing fee plus each recurring payment that falls inside the selected period. A biennial fee is counted when a payment cycle comes due, not spread silently across the result. Optional service and agent amounts are shown as separate lines so the state cost stays visible.

For a paid registered agent, the tool multiplies the annual price you enter by the number of years selected. A one-time filing service fee and a one-time operating agreement cost are counted once.

Worked example

Pick a state in the tool and leave optional services at zero. That is the state-only baseline. Then enter a filing-service quote and a paid-agent price. The difference between the two totals is the price of convenience and privacy, stated in plain numbers.

Limits

The launch dataset covers 15 states, not all 50. A state record can change when a legislature or filing office updates a fee. Use the source link and verification date on the state page, then confirm the current fee with the filing office before you pay.

Common questions

What does the calculator include?

It includes the state filing fee and recurring state fees in the launch record, plus any filing-service, paid-agent, or operating-agreement amount you enter yourself.

What does it leave out?

It leaves out income and franchise taxes beyond a recurring state charge named in the record, local licenses, permits, insurance, bookkeeping, legal advice, and tax preparation.

Why do I enter service and agent prices?

Those prices vary by provider and promotion. Publishing a made-up market price would look precise without being dependable, so the tool uses your quote.