Form a Texas LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
Texas LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in Texas | 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
Texas LLCs are formed by filing a Certificate of Formation with the Texas 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
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.
You also need a registered agent in Texas every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a Texas address and are there in business hours.
- 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.
What a "$0" Texas LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The Texas 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 + Texas filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + Texas filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + Texas 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
Related
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Texas?
Texas 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: Texas has no annual report for LLCs; the yearly filing is the franchise tax report.
What are the yearly costs of a Texas LLC?
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. You also need a registered agent in Texas every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a Texas LLC?
Yes: file the Certificate of Formation yourself with the Texas 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 Texas?
No. The Texas 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.
