How Much Does an LLC Cost in North Carolina? 2026 Filing and Annual Fees

A new North Carolina LLC costs $125 to form when you file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. After the year it is created, the LLC generally files an annual report by April 15. The report costs $200 on paper, $202 online by ACH, or $203 online by credit card. Those are the core state charges; a registered agent service, professional help, permits, and taxes depend on your situation. The Secretary of State’s LLC fee schedule and annual-report guidance provide the current amounts.

The short budget

The first report is due in the year after formation, so a newly formed LLC should not simply add an annual-report charge to the same calendar year’s state filing payment. Budget for that next due date now. The foreign LLC’s $250 application is a different filing from the $125 domestic Articles of Organization; you do not choose between them only by comparing prices. Source: North Carolina Secretary of State fee schedule.

Which costs are required?

Articles of Organization: $125

To create a domestic North Carolina LLC, file Articles of Organization and pay the state’s $125 filing fee. The Secretary of State publishes the form and filing instructions and the current fee schedule. A private formation company may charge for help, but its price is separate from the state fee.

A registered agent: required role, optional paid service

North Carolina LLCs must maintain a registered office and a qualifying registered agent in the state. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 55D-30 sets out the rule. An owner who qualifies can serve as the agent, so hiring a commercial provider is not automatically an added state charge. Compare your ability to maintain the required office and reliably receive official papers with any provider’s price and terms. If you cannot satisfy the legal requirements yourself, choose another eligible agent before filing.

Annual report: $200–$203 by payment method

An LLC annual report is due April 15 each year after the year of creation. The Secretary of State lists a $200 paper filing, $202 online ACH total, and $203 online credit-card total. Check the state’s annual-report due-date page before paying, since payment methods and charges may change. Put the next April 15 on your calendar when the LLC is approved.

Costs that depend on the business

An EIN is free when obtained directly from the IRS. The IRS EIN application page says to form the LLC with the state before applying. A third party may charge for application assistance, but you do not need to buy an EIN.

Licenses and tax registration depend on what the business does and where it operates. Forming an LLC does not itself answer whether you need an occupational permit, local approval, or a North Carolina sales and use tax account. The North Carolina Department of Revenue’s registration guide explains which sellers and service providers must register for sales and use tax. Check your industry and local government before estimating those costs.

An operating agreement can clarify how the LLC is run and what happens when ownership changes. You may prepare one yourself or pay for help. That is a separate choice from the state’s $125 formation filing; obtain tailored legal help if ownership or governance is complex.

If you want to operate under a name other than the LLC’s legal name, check the Secretary of State’s business registration resources and the appropriate county register of deeds for the assumed-name process and current charges. Do not add an assumed-name fee to every LLC budget.

A decision before paying for extras

Start with the $125 state formation fee and identify who will serve as registered agent. Then record the April 15 report deadline for the following year and the payment method you expect to use. Only after those required pieces are clear should you price optional filing help, an agent service, or other business-specific requirements. Ask any provider to separate its service charge from the state filing charge.

If your LLC already exists in another state, do not file domestic Articles just because $125 is less than $250. Determine whether you need North Carolina authority for that existing entity and what continuing obligations apply in both states. The North Carolina fee schedule lists the foreign LLC certificate-of-authority application at $250.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a yearly fee for a North Carolina LLC? Yes. The annual report carries a $200 base fee, with online totals of $202 by ACH or $203 by credit card under the Secretary of State’s current guidance. Its first due date is April 15 after the year the LLC was created.

Can I start a North Carolina LLC for free? The state charges $125 for domestic Articles of Organization. You can avoid some optional service charges by filing yourself and serving as registered agent if you qualify, but that does not remove the state filing fee. Source: Secretary of State LLC fee schedule.

How much tax will my LLC pay? There is no single amount. The answer depends on the LLC’s tax classification, income, activity, owners, and applicable state and local taxes. Use an accountant or tax professional for a business-specific estimate rather than treating the filing fee as a tax estimate.

Is an LLC worth the cost? Compare the costs and administrative duties with the business’s ownership, risk, tax, and financing needs. The state fees above help with the budget; the right entity choice depends on your circumstances.

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