New York LLC Cost: Filing Fee, Annual Fees and 5-Year Total
Forming an LLC in New York costs $200 in state filing fees and then $29.50 a year to keep it active ($4.50 in filing fees plus a $25 state tax). New York's estimated five-year state costs of $343 are 2% above the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Checked against official state sources (October 2026) · Last verified: October 29, 2026 · Sources
What an LLC costs in New York
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee | $200 | One time |
| Recurring state filing / report fee | $4.50/yr | Biennial statement ($9 per filing); publication is a separate one-time cost |
| State tax / mandatory annual charge | $25/yr | Annual LLC filing fee, Form IT-204-LL (Tax Department). Owed every year, starting with the formation year (conditions below). |
| Year-one cost | $225 | Formation fee + any year-one extra + the first year's state tax |
| Estimated 5-year state costs | $343 | Formation + year-one extras + 4 years of filing / report fees + 5 years of the state tax; ranks 29th cheapest of 51 |
The five-year figure counts state government fees and, where one applies, the separate mandatory annual state tax shown above. It assumes a single-member LLC owned by an individual with little or no income. It excludes registered agent services, formation-service fees, publication costs, local business licenses, income-based state taxes (income, gross-receipts, B&O, sales) and any optional extras. How we calculate it.
State tax you owe on top of the filing fees
New York charges a separate $25 a year state tax or charge on top of the filing-office fees: Annual LLC filing fee, Form IT-204-LL (Tax Department). Owed only if the LLC has income, gain, loss or deduction from New York sources in the year. A single-member LLC pays the flat $25 regardless of income. Nothing is due for a year with no New York-source items. The fee cannot be extended or prorated. We count it in the year-one, annual and five-year totals above and in the rankings.
Verified details
- Articles of Organization: $200. Biennial Statement: $9.
- Publication: most domestic LLCs must publish notice in two county-designated newspapers for six consecutive weeks within 120 days of formation, then file a Certificate of Publication ($50 filing fee). The newspaper charges are separate and vary by county.
- Failing to complete publication can suspend the LLC's authority to carry on business in the state.
- Annual filing fee (Form IT-204-LL): a single-member LLC that is disregarded for federal tax and has any New York-source income, gain, loss or deduction pays $25 a year. Multi-member LLCs pay $25 to $4,500 based on New York-source gross income.
- Due by the 15th day of the 3rd month after the tax year ends; there is no extension of time to file or pay.
Annual reports and upkeep
New York filing cadence: Every two years. Biennial statement ($9 per filing); publication is a separate one-time cost. Missing filings can lead to late fees and, eventually, administrative dissolution, so put the dates in a calendar. See annual reports and franchise taxes explained.
How to form an LLC in New York
- Check the name. Search the New York business records on the Secretary of State / filing office site to confirm your LLC name is available and includes an LLC designator.
- Pick a registered agent. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. You can serve as your own agent if you live in New York and are reachable during business hours, or hire a commercial agent. Registered agent guide.
- File the formation document. The state filing fee is $200. Use the state's online filing portal where available; paper filing is slower.
- Write an operating agreement. Most states do not require you to file one, but banks and partners typically ask for it, and it sets ownership and decision rules. Operating agreement basics.
- Get an EIN. The IRS issues EINs for free through its online application. Beware of sites that charge for it.
- Open a business bank account and calendar the deadlines. Put the every two years filing dates in a calendar so the LLC stays in good standing.
Want someone else to handle the filing in New York?
A formation service files the paperwork for a fee on top of the state fee and often includes a first year of registered agent service. It saves time, but you can file directly with the state for the state fee alone. Compare DIY and services.
See a formation service (partner link) Sponsored
Living or operating outside New York?
You can form an LLC in New York even if you live elsewhere, but if you actually do business in your home state you will usually also have to register the LLC there as a foreign LLC and pay that state's fees, so you may pay twice. In Texas, for example, an out-of-state LLC transacting business pays $750 to register. See forming an LLC in a state other than your own.
Compare New York with similar-cost states
| State | Formation | Annual | 5-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 | $340 |
| Georgia | $110 | $60 | $350 |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 | $335 |
| Vermont | $155 | $45 | $335 |
Head-to-head: New York vs California · New York vs Texas · New York vs Florida · New York vs Delaware · New York vs Wyoming · New York vs Nevada · New York vs New Mexico · New York vs Georgia
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New York?
The state filing fee is $200. Add a registered agent if you do not serve as your own, plus any local licenses.
What is the annual cost of an LLC in New York?
Biennial statement ($9 per filing); publication is a separate one-time cost. New York also charges a $25 annual state tax (Annual LLC filing fee, Form IT-204-LL (Tax Department)). That is about $29.50 per year in state costs in total.
Do I need a registered agent in New York?
Yes. New York requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. You may act as your own agent if you meet the state's requirements.
Do I need an operating agreement in New York?
Most states do not make you file one, but you should have one. Check New York's LLC statute and ask your bank what it requires. We do not give legal advice.
Is New York cheap compared with other states?
New York's estimated five-year state costs of $343 are 2% above the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Sources
- New York official filing site: dos.ny.gov
- NY DOS: fee schedules
- NY DOS: forming an LLC
- NY DOS: certificate of publication
- NY DOS: biennial statements
- NY Tax Dept: Partnership, LLC, and LLP annual filing fee
- NY Tax Dept: Instructions for Form IT-204-LL (2025)
Fees change. Confirm the amount on the state's official page before you file.
Fee data: official state government pages and statutes (checked October 28–29, 2026); sources are linked on each state page. See our methodology. Not legal or tax advice.