The most common question before forming is not “how” but “how much will this cost me, this year and next?” Many offers show a low first-year price and stay quiet about renewals. This guide splits the costs of a US LLC into the first year and every year after, shows what is a government fee and what is a service, and lists the costs that most often surprise non-resident founders.
The short version
- Government fees in Wyoming: $100 to form, then usually $60 a year.
- Government fees in Delaware: from $110 to form, then $400 a year (up from $300 in 2026).
- EIN: free from the IRS.
- Services you will pay for every year: registered agent, a business address if you use one, and tax-form preparation unless you do it yourself.
- The cost you must never trigger: the $25,000 IRS penalty for not filing Form 5472.
Year one (Wyoming)
| Item | Cost | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $100 | Government | One-time |
| Registered agent | Depends on provider | Service | Required by law; included for the first year in our packages |
| US business address | Depends on provider | Service | Used for the EIN letter, bank and platform mail; included for the first year in our packages |
| EIN | Free from the IRS | Government | You only pay for help with the application if you use it |
| Operating Agreement and formation documents | Included in packages | Service | Banks and Stripe often ask for them |
| Bank account | Opening is usually free | Provider | Some providers charge monthly or per-transfer fees |
| Stripe | No setup fee | Provider | Per-transaction fees; extra for international cards and currency conversion |
| Website and domain | Varies | Your cost | Needed for Stripe and banks; many founders already have one |
Year two and every year after
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming annual report (license tax) | $60 for most small LLCs | The lesser of $60 or $0.0002 per dollar of assets in Wyoming; due on the first day of your formation anniversary month |
| Registered agent renewal | Depends on provider | The company must always have an agent |
| Business address renewal | Depends on provider | Optional, but most founders keep it |
| Form 5472 + pro forma Form 1120 | Preparation depends on your case | Required every year for a foreign-owned single-member LLC, even with no income; the penalty for not filing is $25,000 |
| Home-country accounting | Depends on your accountant | Based on your tax residency |
| Bank and payment fees | Depends on usage | Monthly plans, transfers, currency conversion |
Wyoming vs Delaware: state fees over time
| Wyoming | Delaware | |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | $100 | From $110 |
| Every year | $60 (annual report) | $400 (annual LLC tax, due June 1) |
| Late penalty | Loss of good standing, eventual dissolution | $200 plus 1.5% interest per month |
| About 3 years in state fees | about $280 | about $1,310+ |
More detail in Wyoming vs Delaware LLC.
Example budgets
Freelancer, Wyoming, doing the setup with help
- Year one: package price (state fee, agent and address included) plus your bank’s monthly plan, if any.
- Year two: $60 annual report + agent/address renewal + Form 5472 preparation (or your own time if you file yourself).
Startup planning to raise money, Delaware
- Year one: Delaware formation fee + agent + legal fees for the corporate structure.
- Every year: $400 annual tax (LLC) or the Delaware franchise tax and annual report (corporation), plus agent and accounting.
What can surprise you
- The $25,000 penalty for a missed Form 5472, even when the company had no income. The IRS can add further penalties if the failure continues after notice.
- Loss of good standing if the annual report or annual tax is missed. Banks and Stripe may ask for proof of good standing.
- Renewal prices for the registered agent and address that are higher than the first-year offer. Always ask for year-two prices before you buy.
- Monthly fees from some banks and fintech platforms.
- Currency conversion fees when you are paid in USD and move money to EUR or another currency.
- Delaware’s higher annual tax. Many older guides still say $300. It is $400 from 2026.
What will not cost you
- State income tax in Wyoming: there is none.
- The EIN: free from the IRS.
- BOI reporting: in 2025 and again in its final rule of August 2026, FinCEN exempted companies created in the United States from beneficial ownership reporting. A US LLC does not file a BOI report and has no BOI fee.
- Minimum capital: an LLC has no minimum share capital.
How to keep yearly costs low
- Choose Wyoming unless you have a specific reason for Delaware.
- Put the annual report and Form 5472 deadlines in your calendar the day the company is formed.
- Pick a bank plan that fits your real volume; a free tier is often enough at the start.
- Keep clean records during the year, so tax-form preparation is quick.
- Ask for all renewal prices in writing before you choose a provider.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a yearly tax on a Wyoming LLC with no income?
The $60 annual report license tax applies whether or not you had income. Form 5472 must also be filed, even with no income.
Can I file Form 5472 myself?
You can, but mistakes are costly. Many founders use a preparer, at least for the first year.
What happens if I stop using the company?
Closing it properly (dissolution) stops future fees. Simply ignoring it leads to penalties and loss of good standing, and federal filings may still be due for the years the LLC existed.
Our packages
Basic ($249) covers first-year Wyoming filing, the state fee, registered agent, business address and EIN application preparation. Pro ($400) adds guided bank and Stripe applications, a website review and 12 months of reminders. Premium ($699) also includes Form 1120 + 5472 preparation within an agreed scope. Before you accept an offer, you get a clear view of second-year costs. See packages.
Not sure what you need? Book a free consultation and get an honest assessment of your case before you commit to anything.
This is a general information guide, not legal or tax advice. Fees and rules change; consult a qualified adviser about your specific situation. Figures checked: September 2026.