South Dakota LLC Cost: Filing Fee, Annual Fees and 5-Year Total
Forming an LLC in South Dakota costs $150 in state filing fees and then $55 a year to keep it active. South Dakota's estimated five-year state costs of $370 are 10% 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 South Dakota
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee | $150 | One time |
| Recurring state filing / report fee | $55/yr | Annual report, $55 online ($70 on paper) |
| Year-one cost | $150 | Formation fee + any year-one extra |
| Estimated 5-year state costs | $370 | Formation + year-one extras + 4 years of filing / report fees; ranks 31st 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.
Verified details
- Articles of Organization: $150 online ($165 on paper).
- Annual report: due in the LLC's formation anniversary month; the fee is $55 online or $70 on paper. A $55 late fee applies to delinquent reports.
Annual reports and upkeep
South Dakota filing cadence: Annual (anniversary month). Annual report, $55 online ($70 on paper). 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 South Dakota
- Check the name. Search the South Dakota 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 South Dakota and are reachable during business hours, or hire a commercial agent. Registered agent guide.
- File the formation document. The state filing fee is $150. 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 annual (anniversary month) filing dates in a calendar so the LLC stays in good standing.
Want someone else to handle the filing in South Dakota?
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 South Dakota?
You can form an LLC in South Dakota 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 South Dakota with similar-cost states
| State | Formation | Annual | 5-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $110 | $60 | $350 |
| New York | $200 | $29.50 | $343 |
| New Jersey | $100 | $75 | $400 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 | $340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in South Dakota?
The state filing fee is $150. 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 South Dakota?
Annual report, $55 online ($70 on paper). That works out to about $55 per year in state fees.
Do I need a registered agent in South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
Most states do not make you file one, but you should have one. Check South Dakota's LLC statute and ask your bank what it requires. We do not give legal advice.
Is South Dakota cheap compared with other states?
South Dakota's estimated five-year state costs of $370 are 10% above the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Sources
- South Dakota official filing site: sosenterprise.sd.gov
- SD SOS: filing fees
- SD Codified Law 47-34A
- SD SOS: annual report instructions
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.