Specification

Every formation package is the same filing. The difference is what else is in the box.

The state charges what it charges and files what it files. What a formation service sells on top of that - the registered agent year, the operating agreement, the EIN, the compliance reminders - is where the packages actually differ, and where the price does.

What gets compared About Us

Where to begin

The core of the site

Costs

The matrix

What a package contains

State filing fee Whether the advertised price includes what the state charges, or adds it at checkout.

Registered agent Usually a free first year, then an annual charge that is the real cost of the package.

Operating agreement A template in most cases. Worth knowing whether it is drafted or generated.

EIN application Free direct from the IRS. Priced as an add-on by most services.

Annual report reminders What happens in year two, which is where most of the renewal cost sits.

Named providers, their prices and what each package actually contains are the subject of the comparisons linked below.

Worked through in What Are the Benefits of Using ZenBusiness Instead of DIY LLC Filing?, Is ZenBusiness Legit and Worth it Compared to Filing Directly with the State? and How Does ZenBusiness Compare to Doing Your Own LLC Paperwork?.

Read at the source

The numbers, and where they come from

Federal

An EIN is free directly from the IRS $0 (free) irs.gov

Worked through in How Does ZenBusiness Compare to Doing Your Own LLC Paperwork?

California

Articles of Organization filing fee $70.00 ca.gov
Statement of Information fee $20.00 ca.gov
FTB annual LLC tax $800 per year ca.gov

Worked through in Is ZenBusiness Worth it for a California LLC Compared to DIY?

Florida

New LLC total filing cost $125.00 ($100 filing + $25 registered agent) fl.gov
Annual report fee $138.75 fl.gov
Annual report received after May 1 $538.75 (a $400 late penalty) fl.gov

Worked through in Is ZenBusiness Worth it for a Florida LLC Compared to Doing it Yourself on Sunbiz?

Georgia

Articles of Organization fee $110.00 ($100 filing + $10 service charge) ga.gov
Annual registration fee $60.00 (online and paper) ga.gov
Penalty for late filing of annual registration $25.00 ga.gov

Worked through in Should You Use ZenBusiness or File Your Georgia LLC Directly with the State?

Michigan

Annual statement fee $25.00 michigan.gov
Late penalty on the annual statement $50.00 if received after February 15 michigan.gov

Worked through in Should You Use ZenBusiness or File Your Michigan LLC Directly with LARA?

New York

Articles of Organization filing fee $200.00 ny.gov
Biennial Statement fee $9.00 ny.gov
Annual filing fee on Form IT-204-LL $25 minimum, up to $4,500 by NY source gross income ny.gov

Worked through in Is ZenBusiness Worth it for a New York LLC Versus Doing it Yourself?

Texas

Certificate of Formation filing fee $300.00 texas.gov
Assumed name certificate fee $25.00 state.tx.us

Worked through in Is ZenBusiness Worth it for a Texas LLC Compared to DIY?

Common questions