Form an LLC in North Carolina.
Filing an LLC in North Carolina costs $125 for the Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($99/yr) and the Year-1 annual obligations, a typical first-year cost lands near $424. Ongoing cost runs about $299/year.
Run the numbers for North Carolina.
Estimates only. Verify with the North Carolina Secretary of State before paying. Not legal advice.
North Carolina LLC fees, line by line
| Component | Cost / Rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | $125 | One-time charge to register the LLC with the state. |
| Annual report | $200 / year | Late or missed reports trigger administrative dissolution in most states. |
| Franchise / business tax | $0 | This state has no minimum franchise tax for LLCs. |
| Registered agent | Required | Every state requires a registered agent. You can be your own RA in your home state at no cost; commercial services run $35–$300/yr. |
| Expedited filing | Available | Typical add-on $50–$100 for 1–3 day turnaround. |
Should you form in this state if you don't live here?
For most operators, the answer is no. An LLC pays state income tax wherever it operates, not where it's formed. Forming in North Carolina while doing business in another state means paying both states' fees plus a foreign-qualification fee in your operating state. Real reasons to form in a non-home state: pure IP holdcos, real estate holdcos in the property state, asset-protection structures, or non-US residents with no US nexus. Full breakdown of when forming out-of-state pays off →
Sources & verification
- Official: North Carolina Secretary of State — business filings
- IRS — Limited Liability Company guidance
Compare North Carolina with other states
See the full ranking — best states to form an LLC → Compare formation services →