Vermont LLC Cost

Last updated:

What an Vermont LLC really costs: the $125 filing, recurring report fees, optional services, and a five-year total.

The minimum state cost to start an LLC in Vermont is $125. Keeping it in good standing then costs $35 a year in report fees, plus any entity-level tax. Here is the full breakdown.

One-time formation costs

ItemCost
Formation document (Articles of Organization)$125
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 report$35 per year
Franchise or entity taxMin corporate tax $250
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 Vermont add up to about $300: $125 to form plus $175 in report fees. First-year state fees alone are about $160.

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 Vermont compares

Vermont's LLC filing fee is $125, $25 above the national median of $100. 30 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 Vermont beside five states founders often consider.

StateLLC filing feeAnnual reportFranchise or entity tax
Vermont$125$35 yearlyMin corporate tax $250
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 Vermont that forms elsewhere generally still has to register as a foreign LLC in Vermont and pay both states' fees. Our best states for an LLC guide explains when an out-of-state filing makes sense.

Vermont specific notes

Vermont LLCs file an annual report within three months after the close of the fiscal year ($35).

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to start an LLC in Vermont?
File the formation document yourself with the Vermont Secretary of State for $125, act as your own registered agent, and get your EIN free from the IRS.
What does it cost to keep a Vermont LLC active?
$35 per year for the report, plus any entity-level tax and registered agent costs.
Is it cheaper to form in another state?
Usually not for a business that operates in Vermont. You would generally still register as a foreign LLC in Vermont 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.