The cost to incorporate your business (when you file paperwork with the state to form your corporation) will depend on the state where you file. That expense will likely be a small portion of the overall cost to start the business.
Depending on your corporation's location and services, you might be responsible for taxes and fees relating to name reservations, licenses, permits, and annual renewals. You should also consider your start-up and operating costs, such as purchasing your inventory and paying rent and utilities.
To create a corporation, you must file formation documents (usually called "articles of incorporation" or a "certificate of formation") with your secretary of state and pay the filing fee. Depending on the location and the needs of your business, you could be responsible for additional filings (and filing fees) to form your business, which might include:
Name reservation: If you're not ready to file your incorporating documents but want to save your business name (so no one else can register the name), you might be able to file a name reservation request. Most states let you file a request with the secretary of state's office for a small fee.
Foreign corporation registration: If you'll do business in a state other than where you incorporated, the state where you provide your services might require you to register your business as a foreign corporation.
Fictitious business name: You must file for a fictitious business name if you'll provide services under a name other than the one you listed on your articles of incorporation. Your state might refer to this alternate name as a "trade name," "DBA" (short for doing business as), or "assumed name."
Trademark registration: You can register a trademark to protect your name, logo, slogan, or anything else that identifies your brand. You can file for state trademark registration or federal registration with the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USTPO).
Bylaws are the internal rules for your corporation that outline the board of director's procedures, policies, and the rights and responsibilities of shareholders and directors.
Bylaws are an internal document that you do not file with the state but keep with your corporate records. You won't face state filing fees to create bylaws, but you might pay an attorney to draft the document or use a document creation service.
Your corporation must appoint a registered agent, which is the person or organization responsible for receiving legal notices on behalf of the company. Usually, you or another owner can serve as the registered agent. Alternatively, you can pay for a registered agent service.
Because the registered agent must be a resident of the incorporating state, a service is a good option if you're filing in a state other than where you and the other owners live. When you live in the state where you incorporate, you have the option to use a registered agent service to maintain your privacy (the registered agent's contact information is public record).
Depending on your location and services, you might need one or more licenses or permits. Some cities and counties require all businesses to obtain permits while others require businesses engaged in certain activities to have a license. In addition, some business types (such as restaurants and marijuana dispensaries) need a number of additional licenses (such as health and/or sign permits).
You'll likely face fees to apply for each license and annual fees as long as your business is open.
All corporations that generate income pay tax. The amount your business will pay depends on your revenue and the laws of the state where your corporation operates. The types of taxes your corporation might be responsible for include:
In most states, to keep your corporation in good standing, you must file reports with your state. Most states require you to file the report annually, while other states require it every other year. A few states don't require annual reports or require you to submit a different filing in lieu of a report.
Most states charge a fee for filing the annual report, typically ranging from $100 to $300. A few states don't charge a fee for the report.
Corporations that issue stock to shareholders must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and state securities agencies unless the company is exempt from the process. Most small corporations are exempt. However, your state might require you to file an exemption request and pay a fee.
When starting a corporation, you should budget for your start-up and operating costs, which are highly variable and depend on the type of business. Some of the costs you should consider include:
The following is a breakdown of the formation and annual report fees by state (as of February 2025). The numbers represent the minimum charges for incorporation, and you might pay more depending on the number of shares your corporation authorizes. Some states charge additional fees for online filing, in-person filing, rush service, or other administrative fees. Check with your secretary of state to confirm.
These fees don't include the cost of optional services such as:
The listed fees don't include local business license fees, in which costs vary widely by locality. If you file these documents online, your state might charge a convenience or service fee. If you file by paper or in person, then you might be charged an additional handling fee (not noted here).
2025 State Corporation Filing Costs |
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State | Corporation Filing Fees | Ongoing Fees |
Alabama | $200 | No annual report; business privilege tax based on revenue |
Alaska | $250 | $100 biennial |
Arizona | $60 | $45 annual |
Arkansas | $50 | min. $150 annual franchise tax |
California | $125 (includes articles and initial statement) | $25 annual + min. $800 franchise tax |
Colorado | $50 | $25 annual |
Connecticut | $250 (including min. franchise tax) | $150 annual |
Delaware | $109 min. filing fee | minimum $50 annual + franchise tax |
District of Columbia | $99 min. (based on number of shares) | $300 biennial |
Florida | $70 (includes articles and registered agent fees) | $150 annual |
Georgia | $155 (includes articles and initial statement) | $55 |
Hawaii | $25 | $5 annual |
Idaho | $100 | No annual report/fee |
State | Corporation Filing Fees | Ongoing Fees |
Illinois | $150 + initial franchise tax | $75 + franchise tax |
Indiana | $95 | $20 biennial |
Iowa | $50 | $60 biennial |
Kansas | $85 | $100 annual |
Kentucky | $40 | $15 annual |
Louisiana | $75 | $30 annual + franchise tax based on income |
Maine | $145 | $85 annual |
Maryland | $120 | $300 |
Massachusetts | $275 min. (based on number of shares) | $100 annual |
Michigan | $60 min. (based on number of shares) | $25 annual |
Minnesota | $135 | No fee for annual report |
Mississippi | $50 | $25 annual + franchise tax based on capital used, invested, or employed (minimum $25) |
Missouri | $58 min. (based on share value) | $20 annual + franchise tax based on assets or stock value |
State | Corporation Filing Fees | Ongoing Fees |
Montana | $35 | Fee waived for 2025 |
Nebraska | $100 | occupation tax (biennial) |
Nevada | $75 min. (based on share value) + $150 initial list + $500 business license | $150 min. (based on share value) annual + $500 business license renewal |
New Hampshire | $100 | $100 annual |
New Jersey | $125 | $75 annual |
New Mexico | $100 min. (based on number of shares) + $25 initial report | $25 biennial |
New York | $125 | $9 biennial + annual franchise tax based in income or capital |
North Carolina | $125 | $20 annual + $200 min. franchise tax (based on net worth) |
North Dakota | $100 | $25 annual |
Ohio | $99 | No annual report/fee |
Oklahoma | $50 | No annual report/fee |
Oregon | $100 | $50 annual |
Pennsylvania | $125 | $7 annual |
State | Corporation Filing Fees | Ongoing Fees |
Rhode Island | $230 | $50 annual + $400 min. annual tax |
South Carolina | $135 (includes $25 initial report) | $25 min. annual license fee (based on capital) |
South Dakota | $150 | $50 annual |
Tennessee | $100 | $20 annual + $100 min. franchise tax based on net worth or property |
Texas | $300 | No annual report fee; franchise tax based on revenue |
Utah | $59 | $18 annual |
Vermont | $155 | $60 annual |
Virginia | $75 min. (based on number of shares) | $25 annual for nonstock or $100 min. annual for stock corporations (based on number of shares) |
Washington | $180 + $10 initial report | $70 annual |
West Virginia | $100 | $25 annual |
Wisconsin | $100 | $25 annual |
Wyoming | $100 | $60 min. annual (based on assets) |