Start a Texas LLC
How to start an LLC in Texas →
Name, registered agent, Certificate of Formation and bank account, step by step.
Texas LLC cost →
What it costs to form and to keep, and a three-year comparison.
Texas LLC name check →
Check a name against Texas naming rules before you file.
Texas operating agreement →
Not required by law, but every LLC needs one. Create yours free.
Run a Texas LLC
Texas annual report rules →
Texas has no annual report. What it requires instead.
Texas franchise tax →
Who owes it, when it is due and how to file.
Texas registered agent →
Every Texas LLC needs one. Ours is included in year one.
Compliance deadline tracker →
Every federal and Texas deadline for your LLC.
Changing or closing it: add or remove a member, change your registered agent, move to another state, dissolve the LLC.
Texas LLC at a glance
Formed with
Texas Secretary of State
Formation document
Certificate of Formation
Recurring filing
No annual report
Online filing
Yes
Texas has no annual report for LLCs; the yearly filing is the franchise tax report.
Texas LLCs are taxable entities for the franchise tax administered by the Comptroller. A franchise tax report is due May 15 each year. LLCs with revenue at or below the no-tax-due threshold owe no tax but must still file a Public Information Report (or Ownership Information Report); LLCs above the threshold file a full franchise tax report along with the Public Information Report.
Must include "limited liability company", "limited company" or an abbreviation of either (such as "LLC" or "LC"). "Company", "Limited", "Co." or "Ltd." alone are not enough, and it must be distinguishable from names already on the Texas register.
- There is no annual report filed with the Secretary of State. The yearly filing is the franchise tax report to the Comptroller.
- The Certificate of Formation (Form 205) can be filed online through SOSDirect.
- Your certificate must state whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed.
Forming a Texas LLC from outside the US?
The steps above are written for people who live in the US. If you live abroad, the bank account and tax filings work differently.
Texas LLC for non-residents →Sources
Nearby states
All states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Texas?
Choose a name, appoint a registered agent in Texas, and file a Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State. Then write an operating agreement and open a business bank account. Our step-by-step guide covers each one.
How much does a Texas LLC cost?
Texas charges a one-time filing fee to form an LLC. With StartGlobal it is $399 in total, with that fee, your operating agreement and first-year registered agent included.
Does a Texas LLC file an annual report?
Texas has no annual report for LLCs; the yearly filing is the franchise tax report.
Does Texas tax LLCs?
Texas LLCs are taxable entities for the franchise tax administered by the Comptroller. A franchise tax report is due May 15 each year. LLCs with revenue at or below the no-tax-due threshold owe no tax but must still file a Public Information Report (or Ownership Information Report); LLCs above the threshold file a full franchise tax report along with the Public Information Report.
Is an operating agreement required in Texas?
No, but every Texas LLC should have one.
