Form a Alabama LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
Alabama LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in Alabama | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Annual report | Not required | No | Nothing to file |
| State tax or yearly charge | See below | Yes, see below | Paid to the state |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
Alabama LLCs are formed by filing a Certificate of Formation with the Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services, which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
Alabama has no annual report for LLCs; the yearly filing is the Business Privilege Tax return.
Alabama Business Privilege Tax return (Form PPT) filed with the Alabama Department of Revenue, due two and a half months after the start of the LLC's taxable year (March 15 for calendar-year LLCs). The initial return is due two and a half months after the LLC is organized. The tax must be paid in full by the original due date, with no extension of time to pay.
You also need a registered agent in Alabama every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a Alabama address and are there in business hours.
- A Certificate of Name Reservation from the Secretary of State must be obtained before the Certificate of Formation is filed.
- Alabama LLCs do not file a Secretary of State annual report. The yearly obligation is the Business Privilege Tax return to the Department of Revenue.
What a "$0" Alabama LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The Alabama filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + Alabama filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + Alabama filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + Alabama filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
Sources
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Alabama?
Alabama charges a one-time fee to file the Certificate of Formation. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: Alabama has no annual report for LLCs; the yearly filing is the Business Privilege Tax return.
What are the yearly costs of a Alabama LLC?
Alabama has no annual report for LLCs; the yearly filing is the Business Privilege Tax return. Alabama Business Privilege Tax return (Form PPT) filed with the Alabama Department of Revenue, due two and a half months after the start of the LLC's taxable year (March 15 for calendar-year LLCs). The initial return is due two and a half months after the LLC is organized. The tax must be paid in full by the original due date, with no extension of time to pay. You also need a registered agent in Alabama every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a Alabama LLC?
Yes: file the Certificate of Formation yourself with the Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services, act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in Alabama?
No. The Alabama filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
