How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in 2026? (Full Breakdown)
Editorial Team
eCorp Services
Every founder asks the same question before they file anything: how much is this actually going to cost? The honest answer is "it depends," but not in the evasive way that phrase usually implies — the variables are knowable, and once you see them laid out, the total cost of a Nevada LLC in 2026 is easy to predict.
This guide breaks it into three layers: state fees you can't avoid, service fees you're paying for convenience, and ongoing costs that show up after formation and catch people off guard.
Note: State fees current as of 2026. Always verify current amounts with the Nevada Secretary of State before filing.
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Layer 1: Nevada's Mandatory State Fees
These are non-negotiable — every LLC formed in Nevada pays them, regardless of who files the paperwork.
| Fee | Amount | When It's Due |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $75 | At formation |
| Initial List of Members/Managers | $150 | At formation |
| State Business License | $200 | At formation, then annually |
| Total at formation | $425 | — |
No matter which formation service you use — or if you file yourself — this $425 goes to the state. It's the floor, not the ceiling.
Layer 2: What You Pay a Formation Service For
Filing the Articles of Organization yourself is possible, but most founders — especially non-US residents — pay a service to handle the parts that are easy to get wrong: registered agent appointment, EIN acquisition, and operating agreement drafting.
eCorp's plans build on top of the $425 state minimum:
- Starter — $199/yr: Registered agent service, Articles of Organization filing, standard processing.
- Pro — $349/yr: Everything in Starter, plus rush filing (3–5 business days), EIN assistance, and a custom operating agreement.
- Premium: Everything in Pro, plus expedited filing and priority support — see current plan details and pricing →.
The question worth asking isn't "can I avoid this fee," it's "how much is my time worth." We break down that trade-off in more detail here →.
How Nevada Stacks Up Against Other States
Nevada's $425 formation cost is mid-range compared to other popular formation states — some are cheaper up front but cost more annually, and vice versa.
Delaware, for example, has a lower initial filing fee but charges an annual Franchise Tax that scales with your business — which can end up costing more over time than Nevada's flat annual fees. See the full Nevada vs. Delaware comparison →.
Layer 3: The Ongoing Costs Most Guides Skip
Formation is a one-time cost. What trips people up is forgetting that Nevada LLCs have annual obligations too:
- Annual List filing: $150/yr, due on your LLC's anniversary month.
- State Business License renewal: $200/yr.
- Registered agent renewal: typically $150–$250/yr if you're not on a bundled plan.
Add it up and a Nevada LLC's typical ongoing cost lands around $500–$600 per year — separate from anything you pay a formation service. We cover this in full, including deadlines and late penalties, in our Nevada LLC taxes and annual fees guide →.
Costs That Catch People Off Guard
A few line items that don't show up in most cost calculators until they've already become a problem:
- A lapsed registered agent. If your registered agent service cancels or you forget to renew, your LLC falls out of good standing — and reinstatement fees are often higher than the renewal would have been. Here's exactly what a registered agent does and why it matters →.
- EIN "assistance" scams. The EIN itself is always free directly from the IRS. Some third-party sites charge $100+ to do something you can do yourself — or that a legitimate formation service includes at no extra charge.
- Bank account minimum-balance fees. Not a formation cost, but a real one — compare account options before you pick a bank.
- DIY name conflicts. Filing with a name that's too similar to an existing Nevada entity gets your filing rejected, and you pay the state fee again on resubmission.
Is Paying for a Formation Service Worth It?
For a US resident comfortable navigating the Secretary of State's filing portal, DIY is a legitimate option — you'll spend a few hours and save the service fee. For non-US residents, or anyone who'd rather not become an expert in Nevada filing procedure, a formation service usually pays for itself in time saved and mistakes avoided.
Either way, the state fees are fixed. What you're actually deciding is how much of the process you want to own yourself.