LLC TrueCost
2026 planning estimate

Texas LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes

Initial state filing fee: $300. 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 Texas database

Every LLC name must be legally distinguishable on state records. Perform a free corporate name lookup on the official Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect) registry before submitting your $300 Articles of Organization.

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

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Texas?

Texas LLC Mandatory and Ongoing Fees Schedule (2026)
Fee ComponentStatutory CostFrequencyDue Date / RequirementRecipient Entity
Articles of Organization (Filing Fee)$300One-timeUpon LLC formationTexas Secretary of State (SOSDirect)
Periodic Annual / Biennial Report$0noneDue May 15 annually (No Tax Due Information Report)Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect)
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$300 (State statutory fees to open LLC)
Statutory Department: Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect)
Verify on Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect)

Texas LLC 5-Year Cost Model

TX

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

Projection2026–2030
Measures5 taxable years
Accounting basisLiability incurred
Initial: $300
Approval speed: 2-4 business days online (SOSDirect)•Public Privacy: Public
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.

Texas Tax Rule: Texas Franchise Tax has a 'No Tax Due' threshold of $2.47M revenue. Entities making under $2.47M pay $0 tax, but must file a mandatory PIR / No Tax Due report annually.
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
$339

Initial formation fee ($300) + registered agent

Annual Maintenance
$39 /yr avg

No annual report fee

5-Year Estimated CostModeled items only
$495(~$8/mo)

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

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 ($339)
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: $339
State Filing$300
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
$300
61% 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
39% of 5-yr budget
Publication / Mandates
$0
0% of 5-yr budget
Founder Cost-Reduction Tip

Save on your Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas LLC

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

Explore Mercury ($0 Monthly Fees)

Texas LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)

Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect).

Official State Portal (.gov)
Annual Report Due DateMay 15 annually (No Tax Due Information Report)Frequency: NONE
Normal Turnaround2-4 business days online (SOSDirect)Expedited: +$25
Public Record PrivacyPublicRegistered agent protects personal address
State Personal Income Tax0% (No state personal income tax)LLC pass-through profits flow to owners

Texas Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules

Texas Franchise Tax has a 'No Tax Due' threshold of $2.47M revenue. Entities making under $2.47M pay $0 tax, but must file a mandatory PIR / No Tax Due report annually.

Revenue ThresholdDescription / State Fee Assessment
$2,470,000+Gross Revenue under $2,470,000: $0 (No Tax Due)
$10,000,000+Gross Revenue $2.47M - $10M: ~0.375% wholesale/retail or 0.75% other on margin

Advantages of a Texas LLC

  • 0% personal state income tax
  • Enormous powerhouse economy (Austin, Dallas, Houston)
  • $0 franchise tax for 95%+ of businesses under $2.47M revenue

Drawbacks & Hidden Costs

  • High initial filing fee ($300)
  • High foreign LLC filing fee ($750)
  • Public member reporting on PIR

Founder Pro-Tip for Texas

Even though you owe $0 if revenue is under $2.47M, you MUST submit the Public Information Report (PIR) by May 15 or forfeit your charter.

Step-by-Step Texas 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 Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect) registry.

2
Appoint a Texas Registered Agent

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

3
File Articles of Organization ($300 State Fee)

Submit electronically to the Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect). Approval is typically granted within 2-4 business days online (SOSDirect).

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 (May 15 annually (No Tax Due Information Report))

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

Texas LLC Cost FAQ

Common questions about forming and maintaining an LLC in Texas.

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

The state filing fee to form an LLC in Texas is $300, paid to the Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect) when you file your Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($39–$125/yr), expect to pay approximately $339 in your first year.

What is the Texas LLC filing fee for 2026?

The Texas LLC filing fee is $300. This is a one-time fee paid to the Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect) to register your Articles of Organization. Expedited processing is available for an additional $25. Normal processing time is 2-4 business days online (SOSDirect).

What are the annual fees for an LLC in Texas?

Texas charges a none report fee of $0, due May 15 annually (No Tax Due Information Report). There is no state franchise tax for standard LLCs in Texas, making ongoing costs relatively low.

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

The annual cost to maintain a Texas LLC includes the none report fee ($0), and a registered agent ($39–$125/yr). Over 5 years, the estimated total cost is $495.

Does Texas have a franchise tax for LLCs?

Yes. Texas imposes a franchise tax on LLCs: Texas Franchise Tax has a 'No Tax Due' threshold of $2.47M revenue. Entities making under $2.47M pay $0 tax, but must file a mandatory PIR / No Tax Due report annually. The minimum annual franchise tax is $0.

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

Yes, you can form a domestic LLC in Texas 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 Texas, foreign LLC registration costs $750 plus $0/year in ongoing fees — often resulting in paying double.

Source: Texas Secretary of State (SOSDirect) • Updated 2026View our methodology →

Compare Texas with Rival & Neighboring States

Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions:

Multi-State Comparer