Texas LLC cost
Texas LLC Cost (2026)
Official Texas LLC Certificate of Formation fee ($300), name reservation, franchise tax / Public Information Report rules, and first-year cost estimate.
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Not legal or tax advice. Confirm current fees on the linked official sources before you file.
Quick cost snapshot
Fees checked: October 27, 2026 (America/New_York).
Formation filing fee
Filing a Certificate of Formation — Limited Liability Company (Form 205) with the Texas Secretary of State costs $300.
Source: Form 205 instructions; Business Filings Fee Schedule (Form 806).
Online filings via SOSPortal may add a credit-card convenience fee ($0.25 + 2.25% of fees per SOS instructions).
Name reservation
Optional name reservation (Form 501) costs $40 for 120 days.
Source: Form 501 instructions.
Annual / periodic report
Texas LLCs do not file an annual report with the Secretary of State. Taxable entities generally file franchise-tax related reports with the Texas Comptroller, including a Public Information Report (PIR) or Ownership Information Report (OIR) when required.
Source: SOS Formation FAQs; Comptroller PIR/OIR.
Franchise / privilege tax
Texas imposes a franchise tax administered by the Comptroller. For 2026 reports, the no-tax-due threshold is $2.65 million of annualized total revenue. Entities at or below the threshold generally owe $0 franchise tax but may still need to file a PIR or OIR.
Source: 2026 Franchise Tax Report Forms.
Registered agent
A registered agent with a Texas street address is required. Commercial agent fees are private-market prices, not SOS fees.
Publication requirement
None for Texas LLCs.
Expedite fees
SOS processing options and credit-card convenience fees are described in Form 205 instructions and the fee schedule. Confirm current options on SOSPortal.
First-year cost estimate
| Approach | Rough first-year total |
|---|---|
| DIY (state SOS fees) | ~$300 (Certificate of Formation); plus any Comptroller filing if required |
| DIY + commercial registered agent | ~$400–$600 typical range including agent (agent fee is not a state fee) |
| With a formation service | $300 state filing plus service package price |
Many small LLCs under the no-tax-due threshold owe $0 franchise tax in year one, but you must still meet Comptroller filing rules when they apply.
FAQ
Is there a Texas LLC annual report fee?
Not with the Secretary of State. Franchise tax / PIR obligations run through the Comptroller.
When is franchise tax due?
Annual franchise tax reports are generally due May 15. Confirm on the Comptroller site for your report year.
Sources
- Texas SOS — Form 205 instructions
- Texas SOS — Fee Schedule (Form 806)
- Texas SOS — Formation FAQs
- Texas Comptroller — 2026 Franchise Tax forms
- Form 501 — Name reservation
Checked October 27, 2026.