Texas LLC Registration Cost in 2026
In Texas, LLC costs start at $300 for the Certificate of Formation. Name reservation is $40, with no publication requirement. Other expenses may include registered agent fees, legal setup, and ongoing compliance requirements.
$300 to file · $40 optional reservation · Annual Comptroller reporting
By Alex Chernavsky, founder and CEO of BusinessRocketChecked Certificate of Formation
Form 205 · State filing fee
Texas LLC Cost Table
Texas LLC formation costs $300 for state filing. Other expenses may include registered agent fees, legal setup, and ongoing compliance requirements. Keep the mandatory state charge separate from optional services when comparing your total.
| Expense | Cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation | $300 | One-time state filing fee for a domestic Texas LLC. |
| Name reservation | $40 | Optional; holds the name for 120 days. |
| Registered agent | $0 if you serve yourself; provider fees vary | An eligible agent and Texas registered office are required. |
| EIN | $0 from the IRS | A paid application service is optional. |
| Operating agreement | No state filing fee; preparation costs vary | An internal agreement, not a formation filing. |
| Licenses and permits | Varies by activity and location | Check your industry, city, and county requirements. |
| Texas sales tax permit | $0 application fee | Required for applicable taxable sales; a bond may be required. |
| Annual franchise tax | Depends on your tax position | The 2026–2027 no-tax-due threshold is $2.65 million in annualized total revenue. |
| Public Information Report | No separate filing fee | Generally an annual requirement for a Texas LLC, even when no franchise tax is due. |
Sources: Texas filing fee schedule, 2026 franchise tax reporting instructions, the IRS EIN application, and the sales tax permit FAQ.
Compare Your Texas LLC Budget Over Time
Keep it simple. Start lean. A registered agent service can add a recurring cost, while the state formation charge is paid once. Enter the agent price you are considering in the sidebar calculator to compare your selected budget over one, five, or ten years.
Budget for 1 year
This planning comparison does not estimate franchise tax or guarantee future fees. An agent entered at $0 assumes you have an eligible unpaid agent. Paid services may offer a first-year promotion or change renewal prices.
What Is the Texas LLC Filing Fee and How Is It Paid?
To form your Texas LLC, pay a $300 state filing fee to file the Certificate of Formation. It’s a one-time cost to file, covering your legal step under Texas law to register an LLC in Texas.
For a new domestic LLC, use Form 205 or the online formation screens. The current instructions direct online applicants to SOSPortal. Have your business name, registered agent details, governing authority information, and organizer information ready.
How Is It Paid?
- Online: ACH or credit card through SOSPortal.
- Credit card: A convenience fee applies. Review the checkout total before payment.
- Mail or in person: Follow the current instructions for payment by check or money order.
Source: Texas Certificate of Formation instructions.
Check the Payment Fee Before Comparing Packages
A credit-card convenience fee is separate from the $300 state formation fee. Review the payment total before authorizing the charge. The Secretary of State’s online filing guide shows a Texas.gov processing charge, so a provider quote that excludes payment charges is not the final checkout amount.
Source: SOSPortal business filings user guide.
What Role Does the Texas Secretary of State Play?
The Texas Secretary of State handles your LLC’s formation filing and maintains the public business record. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts handles franchise tax and state sales tax matters. The IRS handles your federal EIN and federal tax requirements.
Texas LLC Processing Times and Expedited Fees
Speed depends on the filing route, accuracy, and the state’s workload. Check current processing information before making commitments around an approval date. Expedited service is optional and costs extra.
| Service | Extra fee per document | Published review target |
|---|---|---|
| Standard expedited | $50 | Typically 2–3 business days; ahead of regular submissions. |
| Next-day | $500 | Next business day for qualifying submissions received by noon. |
| Same-day | $750 | By close of business for qualifying submissions received by noon. |
These charges are in addition to the formation filing fee. The time frame covers review, not guaranteed approval. Texas announced online same-day and next-day options through SOSPortal in October 2026; check the current submission instructions for your chosen service.
Sources: Texas Express and the October 8, 2026 online service announcement.
Choosing Your Texas LLC Name: Rules and Availability Tips
Start with a name that fits your brand and meets Texas guidelines. Your name must include an accepted LLC designation, such as “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company.” It must meet Texas’s distinguishability rules. Preliminary clearance is not final approval of your formation filing.
Rules to Know Before You File
- Your LLC name cannot falsely imply an unlawful business purpose or violate applicable naming rules.
- Some words, including banking and certain educational terms, have additional restrictions or approval requirements.
- Want to reserve your name? You can do it for 120 days for $40. A reservation is optional, not a prerequisite to formation.
Keep it simple and memorable. Make sure it reflects what you do. Before you establish your LLC, check how your name looks on Google and social media. Research trademark rights separately; state acceptance does not establish ownership of your brand.
Sources: Texas name filing FAQs and name reservation instructions.
For the full search process, see our Texas LLC name search guide.
Understanding the Registered Agent Fee in Texas
Every LLC in Texas must have one. It’s the person or service that gets legal documents on your behalf, called the agent for service of process. The registered office must be a physical Texas address where the agent can receive service during normal business hours.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent?
You can serve as your own agent if you meet the requirements. The LLC itself cannot be its own agent. The appointed agent must consent to the appointment.
Serving yourself avoids a separate provider charge. If you hire a professional, compare the initial price with the renewal price and check what the service includes. A provider’s subscription is a commercial charge, not a fixed Texas government fee.
Why This Fee Matters
It helps you stay compliant. Pick a trusted agent and compare prices. Make sure someone can reliably receive important documents, and do not assume that an agent automatically prepares your tax reports or license applications.
Source: Texas registered agent guidance.
Annual Franchise Tax and Reporting Requirements
Texas LLC annual requirements are handled through the Texas Comptroller. For 2026 and 2027 reports, an entity with annualized total revenue at or below $2,650,000 generally owes no franchise tax under the no-tax-due threshold.
This threshold concerns annualized total revenue, not profit or the owner’s take-home income. Above it, the calculation depends on the applicable method, deductions, apportionment, and tax rules; it is not simply a flat tax on every dollar of revenue.
What Do You File If No Tax Is Due?
Since the 2024 reporting changes, entities at or below the threshold generally do not file a No Tax Due Report. A Texas LLC generally still files its annual Public Information Report, Form 05-102. Specific exemptions exist, so use the instructions that apply to your entity.
The usual annual deadline is May 15, moving to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday. Use the Comptroller’s Webfile system and your account notices to confirm the report and period due.
Sources: Texas Comptroller franchise tax guidance, 2026 franchise tax reporting instructions, and the Comptroller’s annualization explanation (use current-year thresholds, not the historical amounts in its examples).
What Happens If You Miss a Deadline?
A late required franchise tax report can trigger a $50 report penalty. Late tax payments can add percentage penalties and interest. There is no $50 late-filing penalty for a PIR or OIR itself, but missing the information report can still lead to forfeiture proceedings. Check your notice and correct the specific problem.
Source: Comptroller guidance on notices and late information reports.
Other Costs of Starting and Running a Texas LLC
Licenses and Permits
Texas does not require a general statewide business license. However, your activity and location may require specific licenses, permits, registrations, or local approvals. Check early rather than relying on a single price range for every business.
A Texas sales and use tax permit has no application fee, although a security bond may be required. Whether you need one depends on what you sell and your business circumstances.
Sources: Texas business startup guidance and the Comptroller’s permit FAQ.
LLC Operating Agreement
A Texas LLC operating agreement outlines how your business runs. It lists how members and managers make decisions, share profits, and settle internal issues. It is an internal document and is not filed with your Certificate of Formation.
A template may help with a straightforward business. Legal preparation costs depend on the agreement’s complexity; there is no universal $200 cap. For multiple owners, address ownership, contributions, voting, distributions, and what happens when someone leaves.
Source: Secretary of State formation FAQs: internal governing documents.
EIN and Professional Help
An EIN is free when obtained directly from the IRS. If you pay someone to apply, you are paying for assistance, not an IRS filing fee. Form the LLC first and use the application route that matches your eligibility.
Source: IRS EIN guidance.
Insurance, Banking, and Accounting
Keep your LLC budget tight by pricing the services your business actually needs. Insurance premiums depend on the work you do and the coverage you choose. Bank charges depend on the account terms, while bookkeeping and tax preparation depend on your transactions and reporting needs.
- Insurance: Check legal, contract, and coverage requirements rather than assuming every policy is optional.
- Banking: Keep business and personal finances separate and review minimum balances and account fees.
- Employees: Check payroll, employment tax, and applicable Texas unemployment tax obligations.
- Formation services: Compare the package price, state fees, add-ons, and renewals separately.
Texas LLC Cost vs. Forming in Another State
A lower formation fee in another state does not necessarily lower the cost of operating your business in Texas. Compare total costs before deciding, including any required Texas registration and ongoing obligations in both states.
A domestic Texas LLC uses Form 205. An LLC already formed in another state uses Form 304 when required to register in Texas, with a $750 registration fee. These are different filings.
Delaying foreign registration can multiply the fee
If an out-of-state LLC has transacted business in Texas for more than 90 days without required registration, an additional $750 late filing fee can apply for each delinquent year or part of a year. A partial calendar year counts as a full year for that fee. Not every Texas activity requires registration, so determine the obligation before comparing states on filing price alone.
LLC Formation in Texas: Process and Documents
You file the Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State. Pick a business name, appoint a registered agent, and submit your formation information. Use this sequence to keep the filing organized.
Check Your Name
Review availability, naming restrictions, and separate trademark concerns. Reserve the name only if you need the optional hold.
Appoint Your Registered Agent
Confirm eligibility, consent, and the Texas registered office address before submitting.
Prepare the Formation Information
Have your LLC name, governing authority details, organizer information, purpose, and required addresses ready.
Submit and Keep the Filing Evidence
File through the current state system or follow the paper instructions. Select expedited review only if you need it.
Set Up Your Ongoing Records
Prepare your operating agreement, obtain an EIN when needed, check permits, and calendar Comptroller reporting obligations.
FAQs About Texas LLC Cost
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Texas in 2026?
It’s $300 to file the Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State. You might add costs for a registered agent or name reservation. Business licenses vary by activity and location. Payment processing and optional services can increase the total.
Is the $300 LLC fee in Texas a one-time payment?
Yes, the $300 is a one-time state formation filing cost. Watch for ongoing LLC expenses such as registered agent renewals, permits, and any franchise tax due. Separate filings and changes can have their own charges.
Are there any hidden or ongoing fees for a Texas LLC?
Plan for business licenses, registered agent renewals, insurance, banking, and accounting where applicable. These are separate business expenses, not all mandatory state LLC charges. Check renewal terms and package add-ons before buying a service.
Do I need to hire a registered agent, and how much does it cost in Texas?
Every Texas LLC needs a registered agent, but hiring a paid service is not mandatory. You can serve yourself for no provider fee if you qualify. Professional prices vary, so compare the first-year and renewal charges.
Is there a yearly fee for maintaining my Texas LLC?
Texas does not charge a routine annual Secretary of State LLC renewal fee. An LLC generally still has an annual Public Information Report obligation, and franchise tax may apply. Provider subscriptions and other business expenses are separate.
Can I reduce my Texas LLC costs with deductions or tax strategies?
Some business costs may qualify for a deduction or amortization, depending on the expense and your LLC’s tax classification. Formation costs are not automatically fully deductible immediately. Consult an accountant and keep your receipts.
Is it cheaper to form an LLC in another state like Delaware or Wyoming?
A lower initial filing fee does not guarantee a lower total cost. If your out-of-state LLC must register to do business in Texas, the Texas registration fee is $750, in addition to applicable home-state costs. Compare both states’ obligations before deciding.
Do single-member LLCs pay the same fees in Texas?
Single-member Texas LLCs pay the same $300 domestic formation fee as multi-member LLCs. Single ownership alone does not remove Texas franchise tax or reporting obligations. The applicable tax treatment and specific exemptions still matter.
When is the Texas franchise tax due for my LLC?
The usual annual deadline is May 15, or the next business day when it falls on a weekend or holiday. For 2026–2027, entities at or below the $2.65 million annualized-revenue threshold generally do not file a No Tax Due Report, but the annual Public Information Report usually remains required.
What’s the penalty for late LLC filings or missed tax deadlines in Texas?
A late required franchise tax report can carry a $50 penalty, with additional penalties and interest for late tax payment. A late PIR or OIR does not itself carry that $50 penalty, but missing it can lead to forfeiture proceedings. Other late filings have their own rules.
Final Thoughts on Texas LLC Costs
Keep it simple. Start lean. Separate the state filing fee from optional services and ongoing business expenses. Check the requirements that apply to your LLC, keep your records organized, and stay on top of your reporting deadlines.
Ready to form your Texas LLC? Pay for only what you need and compare the full package, including state charges and renewal terms.
