Form an LLC in South Dakota.
Filing an LLC in South Dakota costs $150 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 $299. Ongoing cost runs about $149/year.
Run the numbers for South Dakota.
Estimates only. Verify with the South Dakota Secretary of State before paying. Not legal advice.
South Dakota LLC fees, line by line
| Component | Cost / Rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | $150 | One-time charge to register the LLC with the state. |
| Annual report | $50 / 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 | Not offered | Standard processing only. |
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 South Dakota 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: South Dakota Secretary of State — business filings
- IRS — Limited Liability Company guidance
Compare South Dakota with other states
See the full ranking — best states to form an LLC → Compare formation services →