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Every new administration brings changes to the national economic landscape, and no one feels these changes more acutely than small businesses. In 2025’s rapidly shifting economy, it’s smart for entrepreneurs to be prepared so they can take advantage of favorable conditions—and avoid bad ones, as recent changes to business law may increase legal risks and create a more competitive business environment, LegalZoom notes.
Forming an LLC in 2025 shields your house, car, and other personal assets against business liabilities and mishaps. But, before you begin the formation process, it’s a good idea to get a general sense of how much money you need to start your venture.
What Is an LLC?
A limited liability company, or LLC, is fairly easy to establish and is often a good choice of business entity for an entrepreneur looking to start a small company. It’s a popular type of business model that has the flexibility of a partnership but the liability protection of a corporation. It’s also easier to set up an LLC than it is to establish a corporation.
When you form an LLC, you gain a range of advantages—from personal liability protection and business credibility to flexible management and tax benefits. Plus, LLCs offer tax benefits: As a pass-through entity, LLC owners can report their LLC profits through their personal taxes and don’t have to deal with corporate taxes (unless they elect to do so).
Mandatory LLC Startup Costs
Laws for forming an LLC vary by state, which means the costs associated with setting up a limited liability company depend on where you’re registering it. Some of the startup costs are mandatory and unavoidable while others are optional.
The one mandatory cost every business owner will encounter when forming an LLC is for the articles of organization—the document on which you will divulge all of the basic details about the LLC, including its name and address, registered agent, and management structure. This foundational LLC formation document may have different names in different states, but it serves the same purpose: to tell your state’s business regulation authority basic information about your business.
Your state’s Secretary of State (or similar agency that handles LLC registration) should list specific information about the required fees for filing on their website.
The state filing fees for LLC formation documents vary widely—from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts—though most states charge between $50 and $200. The cost may also be different if you are registering a domestic LLC (founded in the state) or a foreign LLC (founded in another state but licensed to do business in the new state).
State-by-state filing fees
Here’s a breakdown of the filing fees by state.
