If you’re looking to start an LLC in Texas there are multiple free LLC formation service options available. When you use one of these services they will form your LLC for free and all you have to do is pay the state filing fee. Discover the best services to form your Texas LLC for free below.
Best Free And Cheap LLC Formation Services For Texas
- ZenBusiness (Starting At $0) – ZenBusiness has a free tier for their services where all you have to do is pay the state filing fee. They give you all of the basics you need to get your business formed for free in Texas along with the option to upgrade services where your business needs them.
- IncFile (Starting At $0) – IncFile has a free option along with other affordable options depending on what your business needs. Just like the other competitors, all you would need to pay is the Texas state filing fee and the rest is covered by the Incfile free plan.
- IncAuthority (Starting At $0) – IncAuthority’s main business formation package is popular for being free long before other competitors offered a free service. They have a fairly barebones option available, but if you’re going for the lowest possible cost this may be for you.
How Do Free LLC Formation Services Work?
Most business owners think there’s a catch to having a service file your LLC and get your business set up for free. The LLC formation brands we list are all services with a great reputation and have positive reviews.
These services make their money by selling your other products and services you may need including business insurance, business banking, website design, registered agent services, and much more. Since you will need some of these services anyways it’s a deal that works for both sides.
Texas LLC Cost And Filing Fee
When starting an LLC in Texas you’ll want to know most of the costs that you’ll incur. We’ve broken down the basic costs of starting an LLC in Texas including filing fees as well as other costs that you must pay and other optional services. Also, look out for deals and discounts we’ve found to help you save when starting your LLC.
LLC Filing Fee: $300
Annual LLC Fee: Varies (franchise tax model)
LLC Name Search: $0 (Texas Free Business Name Search)
EIN Number: $0 (Free On IRS Website)
Registered Agent: $0-$200 (Per Year)
LLC Formation Service (Optional): From $0 At ZenBusiness
About LLC Formation Services: You can save time and have experts form your Texas LLC by using a business formation service such as IncFile (Starting At $0) or ZenBusiness (Starting At $0) to help you set up your LLC.
Other Costs Of Starting An LLC In Texas (Required And Optional)
Aside from the basics of LLC formation, there are a few other fees and costs that may pop up when starting an LLC. We mentioned a few of those costs above but we’re breaking them down more below.
Registered Agent ($0 to $250 Per Year) – Your registered agent receives all of the important business documents such as annual filing information and notification of lawsuits, plus much more. If you’re looking for a professional registered agent we currently recommend Northwest Registered Agents, but there are numerous options available.
EIN (Employee Identification Number) (Free) – Getting your EIN (Employee Identification Number) number is easy and free. You simply go to the IRS website where you follow the directions and receive your EIN number.
There are some businesses that will charge you to help you file an EIN, but most business owners should be able to figure it out easily for free. Avoid the fees from LLC formation companies that can sometimes be as much as $75 and do it yourself in about 15 minutes.
Business Licenses (Cost Varies) – Depending on the local and state regulations for your specific business you may need certain business licenses. Check with the Texas Secretary of State website along with local government agencies and professional services to see what licenses you may need for your business.
Some of the LLC formation companies that we linked above will help you navigate this process. They provide services to get you all of the business licenses you need for your business to be legal and compliant. The services will sometimes offer this free with their main LLC formation service, or they may charge a small fee.
Annual LLC Fee ($0 In Most Cases) – Texas does not have the regular yearly LLC filing fee that many states require. Texas uses a franchise fee according to the government website. This means that you pay annual fees for your LLC depending on numerous factors, but most businesses in the state end up not paying any fee at all. Check the Texas Secretary of State website for more information on what you may need to pay.
We do our best to keep all of this information up to date. Always check with your local state offices to confirm the current costs of starting an LLC in the state of Texas along with any local fees you may have to pay for your business. If you’re interested in how much it costs to file an LLC in other states check out our LLC filing fees by state page to see how Texas compares to other states on the total cost of starting an LLC.
Texas LLC Cost FAQS
This section will be updated regularly with frequently asked questions about the cost of starting an LLC in Texas. We will try to answer any questions about the pricing of fees to the state along with LLC formation services.
Can I get a free LLC in Texas? No, almost every business is required to pay the state filing fees. There may be some exceptions, but for-profit businesses will have to pay the state fee. There are some free business formation companies like Inc Authority and IncFile that will help you set up your LLC for free, but you will still be responsible for paying the state fee.
Always consult with a legal professional and other experts before making any decisions regarding legal decisions about your business.
