What an LLC Really Costs in 2026 (and Why "$0 Formation" Isn't Free)
2026-06-18
"Form your LLC for $0" is one of the most effective ads on the internet, and one of the most misleading. The filing is rarely the real cost. Here is what an LLC actually costs in 2026 so you can tell a fair price from a trap.
The costs that are always there
No matter who you use, these exist:
- State filing fee: Paid to the state, not the service. Varies by state (Wyoming is on the lower end; some states are well over $100-$300).
- Registered agent: Required in your formation state. Often "free for year one," then auto-renews, sometimes at $100-$300+/year.
- Annual report / franchise fee: Most states charge an annual maintenance fee to keep the LLC in good standing.
- EIN: Free from the IRS directly. Some services charge you for it anyway.
- Operating agreement: Free to template, but a generic one may not fit your structure.
How "$0" and "$39" services make their money
The headline price gets you in the door; the margin is in the upsells:
- The $0 tier files the bare form, then the checkout funnels you through paid add-ons (operating agreement, EIN, "compliance," "expedited") that quietly push the real total past $300-$500.
- The free registered agent renews at a premium you discover next year.
- "Compliance" subscriptions bill annually whether or not you use them.
- Support is a black hole exactly when year-two filings or a banking question actually matters.
None of that is illegal. It's just the opposite of the "free" the ad promised, and you usually find out after you've committed.
What a fair, flat price looks like
The honest version is transparent about the all-in number and what's included. Before you pay anyone, you should be able to see, in writing:
- The state filing fee, stated separately and clearly.
- Registered agent coverage and exactly what it renews at.
- Whether the EIN and operating agreement are included (not surprise add-ons).
- What annual compliance is handled and what it costs after year one.
- Whether real human support is included or extra.
If a provider won't show you the renewal price, assume it's high.
Cheap isn't the goal; not-getting-burned is
The point of an LLC is protection. Saving $60 on formation and then letting the registered agent lapse or missing the annual report puts the entity in bad standing, which can undo the very protection you paid for. The real cost question isn't "what's the cheapest filing," it's "what's the all-in cost to keep this entity actually protecting me, run by someone who'll still answer the phone in year two."
How Fortress prices it
Fortress Formations is done-for-you at a flat, stated price, registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and a real person who handles your annual compliance, with renewal terms shown up front. No $0 hook, no upsell maze. See the all-in pricing or book a free review and we'll tell you the honest total for your situation, including the state fee.
Educational content only. Not legal or tax advice. State fees change; confirm current amounts for your state.