How much does it cost to start an LLC? In New Jersey, Delaware and Wyoming the state fees are small, but the yearly fees differ a lot, and forming in one state while working in another can double them. This LLC cost calculator adds up the first year, every year after and the first three years so you can compare.
How to use the calculator
- State of formation: New Jersey, Delaware or Wyoming.
- The LLC will also do business in New Jersey (office, staff or clients there): appears for Delaware and Wyoming. Turn it on if the company will operate in New Jersey.
- Registered agent per year: the fee your agent charges, or $0 if you act as your own agent at an address in that state.
- Other one-time costs (optional): a formation service, an operating agreement drafted by an attorney, expedited filing.
How it is calculated
- First year = state filing fee + NJ foreign registration (if checked) + registered agent + other one-time costs.
- Every year after = annual report or tax + NJ annual report (if checked) + registered agent.
- First three years = first year + two later years.
The calculator assumes the annual report or tax starts the year after formation in all three states. These are the 2026 state fees it uses:
| Fee | New Jersey | Delaware | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formation filing | $100 | $110 | $100 |
| Yearly | $75 annual report | $400 annual tax, due June 1 | $60 minimum annual report license tax |
| First three years, state fees only | $250 | $910 | $220 |
Registering an out-of-state LLC in New Jersey adds $100 once and $75 a year. Sources: NJ Division of Revenue fee schedule, Delaware fee schedule and LLC tax instructions, Wyoming Secretary of State fees.
Worked example with the default inputs
New Jersey LLC, no registered agent fee, no other costs: $100 the first year, $75 every year after, $250 over three years.
A second case: a Delaware LLC that also works in New Jersey. The first year is $110 + $100 = $210. Every year after is $400 + $75 = $475. Over three years that is $1,160 in state fees, before any registered agent.
What this calculator leaves out
- Registered agent prices, which vary by provider. Enter your own figure.
- Service and portal fees. Online filing systems and formation companies may add their own charges.
- Wyoming’s asset-based tax. If the LLC has significant assets located and employed in Wyoming, the tax is $0.0002 per dollar instead of $60.
- Late fees. Delaware adds a $200 penalty plus 1.5% a month on a late annual tax.
- Local licenses and permits, which depend on your town and type of business.
- Tax filings. Income tax returns, sales tax registration and, for a foreign-owned single-member LLC, the yearly Form 5472 are separate costs.
An EIN is free from the IRS. Government fees change, so check the state’s fee schedule before you file.
New Jersey, Delaware or Wyoming: what the fees really mean
If you live and work in New Jersey, a New Jersey LLC is usually the simplest and cheapest choice: $100 to form and $75 a year. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming does not get you out of New Jersey’s fees if the business operates here. You register as a foreign LLC and pay both states every year:
| Where you form | Works only there | Also works in New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $75 a year | $75 a year |
| Delaware | $400 a year | $475 a year |
| Wyoming | $60 a year | $135 a year |
For founders outside the U.S. who sell online and have no office in any state, Wyoming’s low yearly cost often appeals, while Delaware is a common choice for companies that expect outside investors. Neither choice changes your federal tax filings, and both need a registered agent in that state.
Forming the LLC
We handle formation in all three states, and the filings that follow. Start with our New Jersey LLC formation service, or see Delaware LLC formation and Wyoming LLC formation. We can arrange a registered agent and keep your annual report on schedule. For other estimates, see our free calculators. If you are deciding where to form, book a free 15 to 30 minute consultation.