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LLC Cost Calculators (2026)

Three free calculators for LLC owners, all running entirely in your browser with no sign-up. The formation-cost estimator adds your state's filing and recurring fees to a registered agent and optional extras; the LLC vs S-corp tool estimates the self-employment tax you could save by electing S-corp status; and the state comparison tool shows the multi-year cost of two states side by side. All results are simplified estimates, not legal or tax advice.

Data as of 2026-06-14.

1. LLC formation-cost estimator

Pick your state to pull its real filing and recurring fees, then add a registered agent and any one-time extras for an all-in first-year estimate.

Optional one-time add-ons

Estimated first-year cost

State filing fee
Recurring state fee (first year)
Registered agent
Optional add-ons
Estimated first-year total

Estimate only. The state filing and recurring fees come from our dataset; registered-agent and add-on prices vary by provider. You can act as your own registered agent for $0 in most states. Not legal or tax advice.

2. LLC vs S-corp tax-savings estimator

A default LLC pays 15.3% self-employment tax on all profit; an S-corp only pays payroll tax on a reasonable salary, so the rest can be taken as a distribution. Enter your numbers to estimate the net saving after the extra admin cost.

Estimated net annual saving from an S-corp election

SE tax as a default LLC (on full profit)
Payroll tax as an S-corp (on salary only)
Gross payroll-tax saving
Less extra S-corp admin cost
Estimated net saving

Estimate only. It compares self-employment tax (15.3%) on all profit against payroll tax on the salary you pay yourself; income tax is unchanged by the election and is excluded. The IRS requires a reasonable salary for the work you do — setting it too low is an audit risk. Not legal or tax advice; consult a CPA.

3. LLC state-cost comparison

Thinking of forming out of state? Compare the multi-year cost of two states. (Remember: operating outside your home state usually means paying to foreign-qualify there too.)

ItemState AState B
State filing fee (one-time)
Recurring state fee
Annualized recurring
Total over N years

Estimate only. State filing and recurring fees come from our dataset; biennial fees are annualized (halved per year). Excludes registered-agent, taxes and foreign-qualification costs of operating outside your home state. Not legal or tax advice.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start an LLC?

Across the US, the one-time state filing fee ranges from about $35 to $500, and most states add a recurring annual or biennial report fee. A realistic first-year budget is the state filing fee plus $0–$300 for a registered agent. Use the formation-cost calculator above to estimate your state's total.

When is an S-corp election worth it for an LLC?

An S-corp election can cut self-employment tax once profit comfortably exceeds a reasonable salary — often around $80,000+ of profit. The saving has to beat the extra payroll and tax-prep cost (roughly $1,000–$2,000/yr). The S-corp calculator above estimates the net saving for your numbers.

Are these calculators tax advice?

No. They are simplified estimates for general education and run entirely in your browser. State fees come from our dataset; tax results ignore income tax and many real-world details. Verify with your state's Secretary of State and consult a CPA before deciding.

Get the underlying data

These calculators read the same per-state fee dataset that powers our LLC cost by state pages. See the methodology for sources and assumptions.

Estimate, not legal or tax advice. Verify state fees with your Secretary of State and consult a qualified professional before relying on any figure. See our disclaimer.

Last updated: 2026-06-14