North Carolina LLC Cost: Filing Fee, Annual Fees and 5-Year Total
Forming an LLC in North Carolina costs $125 in state filing fees and then $200 a year to keep it active. North Carolina's estimated five-year state costs of $925 are 176% above the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Checked against official state sources (October 2026) · Last verified: October 29, 2026 · Sources
What an LLC costs in North Carolina
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee | $125 | One time |
| Recurring state filing / report fee | $200/yr | Annual report ($200 on paper; online filings may add a service fee) |
| Year-one cost | $125 | Formation fee + any year-one extra |
| Estimated 5-year state costs | $925 | Formation + year-one extras + 4 years of filing / report fees; ranks 43rd cheapest of 51 |
The five-year figure counts state government fees and, where one applies, the separate mandatory annual state tax shown above. It assumes a single-member LLC owned by an individual with little or no income. It excludes registered agent services, formation-service fees, publication costs, local business licenses, income-based state taxes (income, gross-receipts, B&O, sales) and any optional extras. How we calculate it.
Other state taxes (not in the totals)
A single-member LLC that is disregarded for federal tax has no North Carolina franchise-tax filing obligation. An LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation becomes subject to franchise tax.
Verified details
- Annual report is due April 15 each year, beginning the year after the LLC is created.
- Annual report fee: $200 on paper or $203 online by card (ACH adds $2 instead).
Annual reports and upkeep
North Carolina filing cadence: Annual. Annual report ($200 on paper; online filings may add a service fee). Missing filings can lead to late fees and, eventually, administrative dissolution, so put the dates in a calendar. See annual reports and franchise taxes explained.
How to form an LLC in North Carolina
- Check the name. Search the North Carolina business records on the Secretary of State / filing office site to confirm your LLC name is available and includes an LLC designator.
- Pick a registered agent. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. You can serve as your own agent if you live in North Carolina and are reachable during business hours, or hire a commercial agent. Registered agent guide.
- File the formation document. The state filing fee is $125. Use the state's online filing portal where available; paper filing is slower.
- Write an operating agreement. Most states do not require you to file one, but banks and partners typically ask for it, and it sets ownership and decision rules. Operating agreement basics.
- Get an EIN. The IRS issues EINs for free through its online application. Beware of sites that charge for it.
- Open a business bank account and calendar the deadlines. Put the annual filing dates in a calendar so the LLC stays in good standing.
Want someone else to handle the filing in North Carolina?
A formation service files the paperwork for a fee on top of the state fee and often includes a first year of registered agent service. It saves time, but you can file directly with the state for the state fee alone. Compare DIY and services.
See a formation service (partner link) Sponsored
Living or operating outside North Carolina?
You can form an LLC in North Carolina even if you live elsewhere, but if you actually do business in your home state you will usually also have to register the LLC there as a foreign LLC and pay that state's fees, so you may pay twice. In Texas, for example, an out-of-state LLC transacting business pays $750 to register. See forming an LLC in a state other than your own.
Compare North Carolina with similar-cost states
| State | Formation | Annual | 5-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $40 | $190 | $975 |
| District of Columbia | $99 | $150 | $699 |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 | $680 |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150 | $645 |
Head-to-head: North Carolina vs California · North Carolina vs Texas · North Carolina vs Florida · North Carolina vs New York · North Carolina vs Delaware · North Carolina vs Wyoming · North Carolina vs Nevada · North Carolina vs New Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in North Carolina?
The state filing fee is $125. Add a registered agent if you do not serve as your own, plus any local licenses.
What is the annual cost of an LLC in North Carolina?
Annual report ($200 on paper; online filings may add a service fee). That works out to about $200 per year in state fees.
Do I need a registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. You may act as your own agent if you meet the state's requirements.
Do I need an operating agreement in North Carolina?
Most states do not make you file one, but you should have one. Check North Carolina's LLC statute and ask your bank what it requires. We do not give legal advice.
Is North Carolina cheap compared with other states?
North Carolina's estimated five-year state costs of $925 are 176% above the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Sources
- North Carolina official filing site: www.sosnc.gov
- NC SOS: annual report due dates
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 57D-2-24
- NCDOR: franchise tax filing requirements
- NCDOR: 2025 corporate income, franchise and insurance tax bulletin
Fees change. Confirm the amount on the state's official page before you file.
Fee data: official state government pages and statutes (checked October 28–29, 2026); sources are linked on each state page. See our methodology. Not legal or tax advice.