Form a South Dakota LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
South Dakota LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in South Dakota | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization 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 | Every year | Yes | Optional filing service, $299/yr |
| 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
South Dakota LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the South Dakota Secretary of State, 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
South Dakota LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due by the first day of the anniversary month of the original filing each year, starting the year after formation.
You also need a registered agent in South Dakota every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a South Dakota address and are there in business hours.
- The annual report can be filed starting two months before its due date.
- If the report is still not filed two months after the due date, the LLC becomes delinquent and late fees begin.
- Online filing is through the Secretary of State's enterprise portal (sosenterprise.sd.gov).
What a "$0" South Dakota LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The South Dakota 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 + South Dakota filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + South Dakota filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + South Dakota 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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in South Dakota?
South Dakota charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: South Dakota LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due by the first day of the anniversary month of the original filing each year, starting the year after formation.
What are the yearly costs of a South Dakota LLC?
South Dakota LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due by the first day of the anniversary month of the original filing each year, starting the year after formation. You also need a registered agent in South Dakota every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a South Dakota LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the South Dakota Secretary of State, 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 South Dakota?
No. The South Dakota 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.
