LLC TrueCost
2026 planning estimate

Minnesota LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes

Initial state filing fee: $155. Ongoing annual report fee: $0 (none). No state franchise tax.

Step 1 Before LLC Formation • Official State Registry

Check if your LLC name is taken on official Minnesota database

Every LLC name must be legally distinguishable on state records. Perform a free corporate name lookup on the official Minnesota Secretary of State registry before submitting your $155 Articles of Organization.

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

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Minnesota?

Minnesota LLC Mandatory and Ongoing Fees Schedule (2026)
Fee ComponentStatutory CostFrequencyDue Date / RequirementRecipient Entity
Articles of Organization (Filing Fee)$155One-timeUpon LLC formationMinnesota Secretary of State
Periodic Annual / Biennial Report$0noneDue December 31 annually (Annual Renewal)Minnesota Secretary of State
State Franchise Tax / Entity Fee$0/yrAnnualAnnual tax scheduleState Tax Department
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$155 (State statutory fees to open LLC)
Statutory Department: Minnesota Secretary of State
Verify on Minnesota Secretary of State

Minnesota LLC 5-Year Cost Model

MN

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

Projection2026–2030
Measures5 taxable years
Accounting basisLiability incurred
Initial: $155
Approval speed: Instant online•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.

Minnesota Tax Rule: Minimum fee applies only if Minnesota payroll, property, and sales exceed $1.16M.
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
$194

Initial formation fee ($155) + registered agent

Annual Maintenance
$39 /yr avg

No annual report fee

5-Year Estimated CostModeled items only
$350(~$6/mo)

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

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 ($194)
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: $194
State Filing$155
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
$155
44% of 5-yr budget
Base Entity Taxes
$0
0% of 5-yr budget
Annual / Biennial Reports
$0
0% of 5-yr budget
Registered Agent Service
$195
56% of 5-yr budget
Publication / Mandates
$0
0% of 5-yr budget
Founder Cost-Reduction Tip

Save on your Minnesota filing fees & protect your personal privacy

Pro Tip: Filing directly through the state exposes your personal home address on public government records forever. You can keep your private details off the public registry and save time by using a top-rated Registered Agent service starting at $39 + state fees.

Free Home Address RedactionInstant Minnesota Compliance AlertsAnnual Report Reminders
Get Started for $39 + State FeesRated 4.8/5 by 10,000+ founders • No hidden renewal spikes
Recommended Business BankingFDIC Insured up to $5M
Open a zero-fee business checking account for your Minnesota LLC

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

Explore Mercury ($0 Monthly Fees)

Minnesota LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)

Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Official State Portal (.gov)
Annual Report Due DateDecember 31 annually (Annual Renewal)Frequency: NONE
Normal TurnaroundInstant onlineExpedited: Fast / Included
Public Record PrivacyStandardRegistered agent protects personal address
State Personal Income Tax5.35% to 9.85%LLC pass-through profits flow to owners

Minnesota Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules

Minimum fee applies only if Minnesota payroll, property, and sales exceed $1.16M.

Advantages of a Minnesota LLC

  • $0 annual renewal fee if filed on time
  • Fast instant online processing

Drawbacks & Hidden Costs

  • $155 initial online filing fee
  • Strict December 31 deadline

Founder Pro-Tip for Minnesota

MN Annual Renewal is completely free ($0) if filed before December 31 each year.

Step-by-Step Minnesota 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 Minnesota Secretary of State registry.

2
Appoint a Minnesota Registered Agent

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

3
File Articles of Organization ($155 State Fee)

Submit electronically to the Minnesota Secretary of State. Approval is typically granted within Instant online.

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 (December 31 annually (Annual Renewal))

Submit the none report with the $0 fee to prevent automatic forfeiture or late fee assessments.

Minnesota LLC Cost FAQ

Common questions about forming and maintaining an LLC in Minnesota.

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

The state filing fee to form an LLC in Minnesota is $155, paid to the Minnesota Secretary of State when you file your Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($39–$125/yr), expect to pay approximately $194 in your first year.

What is the Minnesota LLC filing fee for 2026?

The Minnesota LLC filing fee is $155. This is a one-time fee paid to the Minnesota Secretary of State to register your Articles of Organization. Normal processing time is Instant online.

What are the annual fees for an LLC in Minnesota?

Minnesota charges a none report fee of $0, due December 31 annually (Annual Renewal). There is no state franchise tax for standard LLCs in Minnesota, making ongoing costs relatively low.

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

The annual cost to maintain a Minnesota LLC includes the none report fee ($0), and a registered agent ($39–$125/yr). Over 5 years, the estimated total cost is $350.

Does Minnesota have a franchise tax for LLCs?

Yes. Minnesota imposes a franchise tax on LLCs: Minimum fee applies only if Minnesota payroll, property, and sales exceed $1.16M. The minimum annual franchise tax is $0.

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

Yes, you can form a domestic LLC in Minnesota 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 Minnesota, foreign LLC registration costs $205 plus $0/year in ongoing fees — often resulting in paying double.

Source: Minnesota Secretary of State • Updated 2026View our methodology →

Compare Minnesota with Rival & Neighboring States

Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions:

Multi-State Comparer