LLC TrueCost
2026 planning estimate

Michigan LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes

Initial state filing fee: $50. Ongoing annual report fee: $25 (annual). No state franchise tax.

Step 1 Before LLC Formation • Official State Registry

Check if your LLC name is taken on official Michigan database

Every LLC name must be legally distinguishable on state records. Perform a free corporate name lookup on the official Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) registry before submitting your $50 Articles of Organization.

Search Michigan Registry (.gov)
2026 Statutory Fee Guide • Verified State Department Records

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Michigan?

Michigan LLC Mandatory and Ongoing Fees Schedule (2026)
Fee ComponentStatutory CostFrequencyDue Date / RequirementRecipient Entity
Articles of Organization (Filing Fee)$50One-timeUpon LLC formationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
Periodic Annual / Biennial Report$25annualDue February 15 annuallyMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
State Franchise Tax / Entity Fee$0NoneNo franchise taxN/A
Registered Agent Service$0 (Self) or $39–$125AnnualContinuous requirementAppointed agent / Commercial service
Operating Agreement & Federal EIN$0 (Free)One-timeInternal record / IRS issuanceInternal Company Record / IRS
Total Minimum Initial Formation$50 (State statutory fees to open LLC)
Statutory Department: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
Verify on Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

Michigan LLC 5-Year Cost Model

MI

Choose a state and assumptions. Your five-year estimate updates instantly.

Projection2026–2030
Measures5 taxable years
Accounting basisLiability incurred
Initial: $50
Approval speed: 3-5 business days•Public Privacy: Standard
If you reside or hire employees in a different state from your LLC, that state requires Foreign Qualification registration.

Future years assume today's reviewed rates remain unchanged. Historical estimates are not enabled because older rules have not been fully verified.

Michigan Tax Rule: No franchise tax on LLCs in Michigan.
Service purchase is optional
Deciding where to incorporate?

This estimate covers liabilities incurred in five taxable years (2026–2030), even when payment is due later.

Future years use an unchanged-current-law assumption. Income tax, legal advice, penalties, and unselected optional services are excluded.

2026 setup cost
$89

Initial formation fee ($50) + registered agent

Annual Maintenance
$64 /yr avg

Annual report ($25/yr)

5-Year Estimated CostModeled items only
$345(~$6/mo)

Estimated liability for the selected inputs and disclosed scope in Michigan.

Five taxable years by cost category(Click any year to inspect)

Select a year to inspect its included liabilities and applicable tax due date.

Inspecting: Year 1 ($89)
State Formation & Expedited
Base Entity Tax
Revenue-Based / Conditional Fee
Annual / Biennial Reports
Special Mandates (Publication, etc.)
Registered Agent Compliance
Home State Foreign Qualification

Tax year 2026 included items

Total: $89
State Filing$50
Base Entity Tax$0
Conditional Fee$0
Annual Report$0
Special / Pub$0
Registered Agent$39
Foreign Qual.$0

5-Year Budget Allocation by Cost Category

Total State Filings
$50
14% of 5-yr budget
Base Entity Taxes
$0
0% of 5-yr budget
Annual / Biennial Reports
$100
29% of 5-yr budget
Registered Agent Service
$195
57% of 5-yr budget
Publication / Mandates
$0
0% of 5-yr budget
Recommended Business BankingFDIC Insured up to $5M
Open a zero-fee business checking account for your Michigan LLC

Separate your business finances immediately to preserve limited liability corporate veil protection.

Explore Mercury ($0 Monthly Fees)

Michigan LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)

Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

Official State Portal (.gov)
Annual Report Due DateFebruary 15 annuallyFrequency: ANNUAL
Normal Turnaround3-5 business daysExpedited: +$50
Public Record PrivacyStandardRegistered agent protects personal address
State Personal Income Tax4.25% flat taxLLC pass-through profits flow to owners

Michigan Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules

No franchise tax on LLCs in Michigan.

Advantages of a Michigan LLC

  • Extremely affordable: $50 initial filing and only $25/year
  • Low barrier to entry

Drawbacks & Hidden Costs

  • Due very early in the calendar year (Feb 15)

Founder Pro-Tip for Michigan

Veterans receive a fee waiver for LLC formation in Michigan under Public Act 153.

Step-by-Step Michigan LLC Formation Checklist (2026)

1
Choose an Available Entity Name

Must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company" and be distinguishable on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) registry.

2
Appoint a Michigan Registered Agent

Must have a physical street address in Michigan (no P.O. boxes) to receive official service of process during regular business hours.

3
File Articles of Organization ($50 State Fee)

Submit electronically to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Approval is typically granted within 3-5 business days.

4
Execute an Operating Agreement & Obtain Federal EIN

Establish member capital contributions, voting rights, and obtain a free 9-digit EIN from IRS.gov for business checking accounts.

5
Maintain Ongoing Legal Good Standing (February 15 annually)

Submit the annual report with the $25 fee to prevent automatic forfeiture or late fee assessments.

Michigan LLC Cost FAQ

Common questions about forming and maintaining an LLC in Michigan.

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Michigan?

The state filing fee to form an LLC in Michigan is $50, paid to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) when you file your Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($39–$125/yr), expect to pay approximately $89 in your first year.

What is the Michigan LLC filing fee for 2026?

The Michigan LLC filing fee is $50. This is a one-time fee paid to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to register your Articles of Organization. Expedited processing is available for an additional $50. Normal processing time is 3-5 business days.

What are the annual fees for an LLC in Michigan?

Michigan charges a annual report fee of $25, due February 15 annually. There is no state franchise tax for standard LLCs in Michigan, making ongoing costs relatively low.

How much does it cost to maintain a Michigan LLC per year?

The annual cost to maintain a Michigan LLC includes the annual report fee ($25), and a registered agent ($39–$125/yr). Over 5 years, the estimated total cost is $345.

Does Michigan have a franchise tax for LLCs?

No. Michigan does not impose a franchise tax or entity-level tax on standard domestic LLCs. This makes Michigan one of the more affordable states for LLC maintenance.

Can I form an LLC in Michigan if I live in another state?

Yes, you can form a domestic LLC in Michigan regardless of where you live. However, if your principal business operations are in a different state, you will also need to register as a Foreign LLC in that state. In Michigan, foreign LLC registration costs $50 plus $25/year in ongoing fees — often resulting in paying double.

Source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) • Updated 2026View our methodology →

Compare Michigan with Rival & Neighboring States

Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions:

Multi-State Comparer