Before you can build business credit, you need two things: a formed LLC and an EIN. Here's exactly what both cost in every state, and how to get your free federal EIN once your entity exists.
Every business tradeline, every PAYDEX score, every business credit card application traces back to two founding documents: your LLC formation (filed with your state) and your EIN (issued free by the IRS). Skip either one, and lenders fall back on your personal SSN and credit history — exactly what an EIN-only strategy is designed to avoid.
The cost and process for forming an LLC varies significantly by state — anywhere from $35 to $500 just for the initial filing, before you even think about annual reports or franchise taxes. Below is the complete breakdown for all 50 states, followed by exactly how to get your EIN once your LLC exists.
Figures below reflect standard online Articles of Organization/Certificate of Formation filing fees as of 2026. Some states also charge franchise taxes or publication fees on top of these (noted where significant) — always confirm current fees on your state's official Secretary of State website before filing, since these numbers do change.
| State | Filing Fee | Report Fee | Frequency | 1st-Yr Total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $236 | $50 | Annual | $286 |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 | Biennial | $350 |
| Arizona | $50 | $0 | None | $50 |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150 | Annual | $195 |
| California | $70 | $20 | Biennial | $90† |
| Colorado | $50 | $25 | Annual | $75 |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80 | Annual | $200 |
| Delaware | $90 | $300 | Annual | $390 |
| Florida | $125 | $139 | Annual | $264 |
| Georgia | $100 | $50 | Annual | $150 |
| Hawaii | $51 | $15 | Annual | $66 |
| Idaho | $100 | $0 | Annual | $100 |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 | Annual | $225 |
| Indiana | $95 | $32 | Biennial | $127 |
| Iowa | $50 | $30 | Biennial | $80 |
| Kansas | $160 | $50 | Biennial | $210 |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 | Annual | $55 |
| Louisiana | $100 | $35 | Annual | $135 |
| Maine | $175 | $85 | Annual | $260 |
| Maryland | $100 | $300 | Annual | $400 |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500 | Annual | $1,000 |
| Michigan | $50 | $25 | Annual | $75 |
| Minnesota | $155 | $0 | Annual | $155 |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 | Annual | $50 |
| Missouri | $50 | $0 | None | $50 |
| Montana | $35 | $20 | Annual | $55 |
| Nebraska | $100 | $13 | Biennial | $113 |
| Nevada | $75 | $350 | Annual | $425 |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 | Annual | $200 |
| New Jersey | $125 | $75 | Annual | $200 |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | None | $50 |
| New York | $200 | $9 | Biennial | $209‡ |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200 | Annual | $325 |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 | Annual | $185 |
| Ohio | $99 | $0 | None | $99 |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $25 | Annual | $125 |
| Oregon | $100 | $100 | Annual | $200 |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $7 | Annual | $132 |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $50 | Annual | $200§ |
| South Carolina | $110 | $0 | None | $110 |
| South Dakota | $150 | $55 | Annual | $205 |
| Tennessee | $300 | $300 | Annual | $600 |
| Texas | $300 | $0 | Annual | $300 |
| Utah | $59 | $18 | Annual | $77 |
| Vermont | $125 | $35 | Annual | $160 |
| Virginia | $100 | $50 | Annual | $150 |
| Washington | $200 | $70 | Annual | $270 |
| West Virginia | $100 | $25 | Annual | $125 |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25 | Annual | $155 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 | Annual | $160 |
Download this table as CSV (50 rows)
*Total first-year cost is filing fee + first report fee; excludes registered agent fees, business licenses, and franchise taxes. †California also charges an $800/yr minimum franchise tax starting your second tax year. ‡New York requires a newspaper publication notice costing $300–$1,500+ depending on county. §Rhode Island also levies a separate $400/yr charge from the Division of Taxation. Fees change — verify with your state's Secretary of State before filing.
Important: don't chase the cheapest state if it isn't where you actually operate. Forming in Wyoming while running your business in California typically means registering as a foreign LLC in California anyway — paying fees in both states instead of saving money.
Once your LLC is officially formed with your state, your next step is your Employer Identification Number — the 9-digit federal tax ID that every business credit bureau uses to build your business file.
Once you have your EIN, start building a real business credit file on autopilot — no personal guarantee, no SSN required.
Start with Momentum →Forming your LLC and getting your EIN are the legal foundation — but neither one, by itself, builds you a business credit score. That takes an actual reported tradeline. Read the Ultimate Guide to Building Business Credit for what comes next, or see the full EIN Compliance & Fundability Checklist to make sure your entity looks credible to lenders from day one.
Fee data compiled from multiple current state-fee reference sources as of 2026 and cross-checked for consistency. State filing fees, annual report requirements, and franchise taxes change over time — always confirm current costs directly on your state's official Secretary of State website before filing. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Sources: [1] Internal Revenue Service, "Get an Employer Identification Number"
See our Press Founder Questions Editorial Standards for how we research, source, and correct the information on this page.
