Starting a Texas LLC is mostly about understanding a few state-set charges and a handful of optional costs. The state’s required fee is clear and consistent, while extras depend on whether you reserve a name, rush your filing, or run the process through a third-party service.
At the core is the Certificate of Formation you file with the Texas Secretary of State. That one document creates your LLC and carries the headline price you’ll see quoted on most guides and law-firm sites. Add-ons like name reservations or DBAs are situational, and you may not need them at all.
Beyond the state’s fees, there are practical costs many owners choose to incur. Examples include a registered agent (if you don’t serve as your own), optional legal templates, and a domain name for branding. None of those are mandated by Texas law, but they’re common business set-ups.
You’ll also factor in ongoing compliance. Texas does not charge a general annual “LLC fee,” but most LLCs must file franchise-tax paperwork each year. Many small businesses won’t owe tax because they’re under the no-tax-due revenue threshold, yet they still have to file an information report. With a clear picture of what’s required vs. optional, you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.
If you’re filing online through SOSDirect, note there’s a small per-search system charge when you look up records. That’s not a filing fee, but it shows up if you use the database ahead of filing. With a clear picture of required and optional items, you can file confidently.
1) Texas LLC formation cost
The mandatory state cost to form an LLC in Texas is $300 for the Certificate of Formation (Form 205). You pay this once when you file with the Secretary of State, whether you submit online or by mail. This is the price that actually creates your company on the state’s records.
Common optional add-ons include name reservation (useful if you’re not ready to file yet) at $40 for a 120-day hold, and expedited processing at $25 if you want the state to prioritize your submission. Neither is required to form the LLC, but they’re available if timing or name protection matters to you.
If you plan to operate under a brand different from your legal LLC name, you can file an Assumed Name (DBA) with the Secretary of State for $25. This is separate from any county-level trade name filings; some owners add them for local visibility.
2) Cost to start an LLC in Texas
For budgeting, think in layers: state-required, optional state services, and business setup extras. The required state layer is the $300 Certificate of Formation. Optional state services include $40 name reservation, $25 expedited processing, and $25 for a state-level DBA if you need it.
Business setup extras vary. A professional registered agent typically runs $100–$300/year; many founders initially appoint themselves if they keep regular business hours at a Texas address. Your EIN from the IRS is free, so avoid websites that try to charge for it.
Plan for annual compliance rather than an annual “LLC fee.” Texas LLCs generally file franchise-tax paperwork each year; many small LLCs fall below the no-tax-due threshold. Even if no tax is due, you typically submit an information report.
3) Texas LLC filing fee 2025
As of 2025, the Certificate of Formation fee is still $300. That is the single required state cost to legally form a Texas LLC. If you need to reserve your name before you’re ready to file, the reservation remains $40 for 120 days; if you want faster handling, expedited processing is $25.
If you’re browsing entity records in SOSDirect, remember there’s a small per-search system charge. This doesn’t increase the filing fee itself, but it may appear on your card when you use the online portal for lookups.
For anything beyond those state numbers—registered agent services, operating agreement templates, domain names—costs are market-based rather than state-mandated. The IRS EIN remains free when obtained directly from the IRS.
4) How much to open an LLC in Texas
If you file the paperwork yourself, you can open a Texas LLC for $300 plus any optional extras you choose. A lean, do-it-yourself approach is: prepare your Certificate of Formation, file it online, and request an EIN from the IRS at no cost. That’s often the entire cash outlay on day one.
Owners sometimes add a registered agent for privacy or convenience; budget $100–$300/year if you don’t serve as your own. If your ideal name isn’t ready to use immediately, reserve it for $40 while you finalize your plan. If timing is tight, expedite your filing for $25. A state-level DBA is $25 if you want a public-facing brand different from your LLC’s legal name.
There’s no separate state “opening” or “activation” charge after formation, but you’ll handle recurring compliance later—primarily franchise-tax reporting and an information report, usually due by May 15 each year.
5) Texas Secretary of State LLC fee
The Secretary of State sets and maintains the official fee schedule. For LLCs, the Certificate of Formation (Form 205) is $300. The same fee applies whether you file online via SOSDirect or by mail. The schedule also lists $40 for name reservations and $25 for an assumed name certificate, which many LLCs never need.
The Secretary of State also offers expedited processing for $25 and preclearance review for $50 if you want staff to check a draft for statutory completeness before you file. These services are optional and situational, not part of the base cost to create your LLC.
If you research names and filings inside SOSDirect, you’ll see a small per-search system fee in that portal. It supports the platform but doesn’t change the filing amounts above.
6) Texas LLC annual fees and taxes
Texas doesn’t charge a general “annual LLC fee.” Instead, most LLCs must deal with franchise tax each year. Many small businesses qualify for no tax due because they’re under the no-tax-due revenue threshold used for that filing year. Even when no tax is owed, you generally must file a Public Information Report (PIR) or Ownership Information Report (OIR) by May 15.
If your revenue is above the threshold, Texas calculates franchise tax on “margin” at rates that depend on your business type, with an EZ Computation option for eligible entities.
Keep an eye on annual updates to thresholds, due dates, and forms. The Comptroller’s site is the authoritative source each spring, and amounts can change in even-numbered years.
7) Texas LLC name reservation cost
Reserving a name before you form the LLC is optional but handy if you’re still drafting documents or building your brand. In Texas, a name reservation lasts 120 days and costs $40. You can file the reservation online or by mail; once you’re ready, you proceed with the formation using that name.
A reservation doesn’t override trademark rights and doesn’t oblige you to use the name—it simply keeps others from registering the exact name during the hold period. If you’re set to file soon, you can skip this step and go straight to formation to avoid the extra fee.
If your preferred name includes restricted words or implies licensing, preclearance can help you confirm acceptability before filing.
8) Texas DBA (assumed name) fee for LLCs
If your LLC will transact under a brand that isn’t your legal LLC name, you can file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Secretary of State for $25. For LLCs on file with the SOS, this state-level filing is the public notice that your entity uses that alternate name.
Some owners also make a county-level assumed-name filing. County fees aren’t set by the SOS and can vary widely. Whether you need a county filing depends on how and where you’ll use the name. Check your local clerk’s page for current amounts and requirements.
DBAs don’t create a separate entity; they’re simply additional names your existing LLC can use in commerce.
9) Texas LLC expedited filing cost
If timing matters, the Secretary of State offers expedited processing for $25 per business document. This moves your filing to a faster lane; it doesn’t guarantee same-day approval in every case, but it shortens the turnaround compared with standard handling.
You can request expedite when you submit by mail or in person, and many online filings receive quicker handling by default within the SOSDirect workflow.
There’s also an optional preclearance service—$50 for staff to review a draft filing for statutory compliance before you submit the official version. This can help prevent rejections or corrections for complex structures.
10) Total cost to form a Texas LLC yourself vs service
DIY route: Expect $300 to file the Certificate of Formation. Add $0 for the IRS EIN (apply directly with the IRS), and optionally $25 for a state-level DBA, $40 for a name reservation, and $25 to expedite. Your cash outlay can be as low as $300 if you skip extras.
Using a formation service: Third-party packages typically add their own service fee on top of the state’s fees, sometimes bundling a year of registered agent service. That convenience can be worth it if you want privacy, reminders, or guided steps, but it’s not required. Compare the package components to what you actually need; the state-mandated amounts don’t change.
Either way, budget for ongoing compliance. There’s no annual “LLC fee,” but franchise-tax filings and information reports recur yearly, usually due by May 15. Many small LLCs owe no franchise tax if they’re below the threshold, yet they still submit the appropriate information report.