The state filing fee to form an LLC in Texas is $300 as of October 1, 2026. Credit-card payments carry a 2.7% convenience fee. Registered-agent and service costs are extra.
Read the official Texas source ↗Formation and ongoing requirements at a glance
| Formation document, method and charges | Certificate of Formation (Form 205), $300. File through SOSDirect or submit the paper certificate. Credit-card payment adds 2.7%. |
|---|---|
| Recurring filing and amount | Franchise tax and information reporting, not a fixed universal annual LLC fee. The no-tax-due threshold for report year 2026 is $2.65 million. Eligible entities at or below it do not file a No Tax Due Report, but may still owe a PIR/OIR. |
| First and later deadlines | The first franchise report cycle falls on May 15 of the year after the entity becomes subject to the tax. Later annual cycles use May 15. Follow Comptroller rules for weekends, extensions and exempt entities. |
| Registered agent and office | The agent may be a Texas-resident individual or a domestic or registered foreign entity. The LLC cannot serve as its own agent. Obtain written or electronic consent and maintain a Texas street office where service can reach the agent during business hours. |
| Next steps after filing | Save the accepted certificate, settle the operating agreement, obtain an EIN when needed and review Comptroller accounts, state licenses and local permits. Calendar the first franchise and information reporting cycle. |
| Taxes and exceptions | Franchise tax, sales tax, payroll, local permits and agent service depend on the business. Formation in Texas does not remove obligations in another operating state. |
Official sources for these requirements
- www.sos.state.tx.us - official filing, reporting or tax guidance - reviewed October 1, 2026
- comptroller.texas.gov - official filing, reporting or tax guidance - reviewed October 1, 2026
- www.sos.state.tx.us - official filing, reporting or tax guidance - reviewed October 1, 2026
- comptroller.texas.gov - official filing, reporting or tax guidance - reviewed October 1, 2026
The cost breakdown
| State filing | $300 · Certificate of Formation (Form 205) |
|---|---|
| Other charges | Credit-card payments carry a 2.7% convenience fee. Registered-agent and service costs are extra. |
| Ongoing obligations | Check Texas tax and reporting duties separately; they are not included here. |
What the official source says
The Texas Secretary of State lists a $300 filing fee for Form 205. Credit-card payments add 2.7%. See the state source ↗
Before you file
October 8, 2026 update: Texas Express same-day and next-day filings are now available online.
Check the current state filing instructions, choose a registered agent that meets the state rules, and budget separately for any annual obligations. If you will operate in another state, you may also need to register there. This guide is a cost starting point, not a filing service.
Budget for the first year and later years
First year: Start with the state formation figure above. Add a qualified registered agent (a paid service only if needed), any registration where you actually operate, local permits and chosen professional services. There is no universal total.
Later years: For report year 2026, the no-tax-due threshold is $2.65 million of annualized total revenue. Entities at or below it generally do not file a No Tax Due Report, but still file a Public Information Report or Ownership Information Report unless an exception applies. Official state source
Checked October 1, 2026. Recheck year-specific fees and deadlines.
Registered agent and public information
The LLC cannot be its own registered agent; an eligible Texas-resident individual can serve. The filing includes initial managers or members and their addresses. Official agent or filing guidance
If you operate elsewhere
A foreign LLC that actually transacts business in Texas may need registration; the SOS cannot determine every case from residence or customers alone. Official guidance
Questions before filing
- Where is the work actually done, and are there employees, an office or property in another state?
- Which filings and taxes continue in later years, even if revenue is zero?
- Which addresses and management details appear in state records?
- What does the agent cost, if a paid service is needed?
Related decisions: Texas vs Wyoming · agent privacy · nonresident banking · a year with no income.
These facts are not a personal tax, legal or licensing determination. Confirm the latest source and the facts of your case before filing.
Compare your situation
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to keep an LLC in Texas?
For report year 2026, the no-tax-due threshold is $2.65 million of annualized total revenue. Entities at or below it generally do not file a No Tax Due Report, but still file a Public Information Report or Ownership Information Report unless an exception applies. Costs for an agent service, taxes, licenses or other-state registration are separate and depend on your case.
Can a paid registered agent make a Texas LLC anonymous?
No blanket anonymity follows from paying an agent. The LLC cannot be its own registered agent; an eligible Texas-resident individual can serve. The filing includes initial managers or members and their addresses.
Do I owe franchise tax if my Texas LLC barely earns anything?
For Texas report year 2026, the no-tax-due threshold is $2.65 million in annualized total revenue. Eligible entities at or below it do not file a No Tax Due Report, but a PIR/OIR may still be required.
Does a Wyoming LLC with Texas clients automatically register in Texas?
No automatic answer follows from client address alone. The Texas SOS says transacting business is fact-dependent and lists excluded activities; actual people, property, office and services matter.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Texas?
The state filing fee to form an LLC in Texas is $300 as of October 1, 2026. Credit-card payments carry a 2.7% convenience fee. Registered-agent and service costs are extra.
Does the $300 cover every cost?
No. The $300 is the state formation filing amount. Credit-card payments carry a 2.7% convenience fee. Registered-agent and service costs are extra.
When is the first Texas franchise report cycle?
The Comptroller sets May 15 of the year after the entity becomes subject to the tax. Eligible no-tax-due entities may still have information reporting obligations.
Can the Texas LLC itself be its registered agent?
No. Use a consenting Texas-resident individual or eligible domestic or registered foreign entity with a Texas street office.
Checked October 1, 2026. Government fees and rules can change. Use the official source linked above for the latest requirements; this page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Which state guide fits your filing?
Compare the state filing method, first report deadline and agent rules before forming:
Looking for the federal BOI report? See FinCEN's final BOI rule, effective August 14, 2026.
More state guides to compare
How does the Texas LLC cost compare with other states?
Comparing Texas with other formation states? See the Delaware LLC cost, Nevada LLC cost and Wyoming LLC cost guides, or scan every state in the 50-state and DC fee table.
If you will work in a different state than the one you form in, read cheapest state for an LLC when you operate elsewhere.