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How Much Should You Pay To Form An LLC

Performance Property Real Estate Question

Q: I want to form an LLC to put my property in for liability protection. How much should I pay to set one up? Fay, Montclair, NJ

A: The cost to form an LLC varies by state. Setting up an LLC usually includes a state filing fee, which is about $125 in New Jersey, and there are additional potential costs for other services like registered agents and annual report fees. The state filing fee is mandatory and is paid to your state to file the articles of organization to officially register your LLC with a certificate of formation. This fee varies widely from state to state, with most states charging between $50 and $200 although there are exceptions like Montana which charges $35 and Massachusetts which charges $500. Most states require LLCs to file an annual report to remain in good standing, which in NJ costs $75 per year.

LLCs normally must have an operating agreement. Drafting an operating agreement may cost money if you hire an attorney or a formation service to do it for you. If you want to reserve a business name before filing for an LLC, there may also be an additional fee for that.
To find the exact LLC filing fees and requirements in your state, contact your state’s Department of Revenue or Secretary of State. Thanks for your question, Fay.

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