Arizona LLC Cost

Last updated:

What an Arizona LLC really costs: the $50 filing, recurring report fees, optional services, and a five-year total.

The minimum state cost to start an LLC in Arizona is $50. Keeping it in good standing then costs nothing in annual report fees, plus any entity-level tax. Here is the full breakdown.

One-time formation costs

ItemCost
Formation document (Articles of Organization)$50
Name reservation (optional)Typically $10 to $50
Certified copy of the filing (optional)Typically $5 to $30
Expedited processing (optional)Varies widely by state and speed
EIN$0 directly from the IRS

Recurring costs

ItemCost
Annual or biennial reportNone required
Franchise or entity taxNone
Registered agent (optional)$0 if you serve, or about $50 to $300 per year

Total over five years

Assuming you file every required report on time, act as your own registered agent, and exclude entity-level taxes and optional extras, five years of state fees in Arizona add up to about $50: $50 to form plus $0 in report fees (none required). First-year state fees alone are about $50.

Optional professional services

  • Formation services: many charge $0 to $299 on top of the state fee, and some upsell items you can do free
  • Operating agreement: free to write yourself, or a few hundred dollars for an attorney-drafted version
  • Registered agent: about $50 to $300 per year if you do not serve yourself
  • Accounting and tax preparation: depends on complexity and is often the largest ongoing cost

How Arizona compares

Arizona's LLC filing fee is $50, $50 below the national median of $100. 3 of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) charge less to file. Filing fees are only part of the picture, so the table below sets Arizona beside five states founders often consider.

StateLLC filing feeAnnual reportFranchise or entity tax
Arizona$50NoneNone
Delaware$110$300 yearlyFranchise tax $300 LLC / variable corp
Wyoming$100$60 yearlyNone
Nevada$425$350 yearlyCommerce Tax (revenue > $4M)
Texas$300No fee yearlyFranchise tax (no-tax-due < $1.23M)
Florida$125$138.75 yearlyNone

Forming outside the state where you live and work rarely saves money. A business operating in Arizona that forms elsewhere generally still has to register as a foreign LLC in Arizona and pay both states' fees. Our best states for an LLC guide explains when an out-of-state filing makes sense.

Arizona specific notes

Arizona is filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission (not the Secretary of State). Most counties require publication of formation notice in a newspaper for three consecutive weeks; Maricopa and Pima counties are exempt. Arizona has no annual report requirement for LLCs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to start an LLC in Arizona?
File the formation document yourself with the Arizona Corporation Commission for $50, act as your own registered agent, and get your EIN free from the IRS.
What does it cost to keep a Arizona LLC active?
Arizona charges no annual report fee. Budget for any entity-level tax (none for LLCs), registered agent service if you use one, and tax preparation.
Is it cheaper to form in another state?
Usually not for a business that operates in Arizona. You would generally still register as a foreign LLC in Arizona and pay both states' fees.
Are there hidden costs to forming an LLC?
Common extras are expedited filing, certified copies, name reservation, registered agent service, local business licenses, and professional fees. State filing fees are only part of the total.

Sources & further reading

Disclaimer: Legal information, not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney or CPA in your state. See our full disclaimer.