FormByStateState guide
How to form an LLC in Texas
Forming an LLC in Texas costs $300 in state filing fees to start, before any service or agent charges. This page lists the filing steps, the full state fee table, the registered agent rule, and the report rule that keeps the company in good standing.
Run the Texas numbers in the calculator
The steps
Step 1: Choose a name
Pick a company name and confirm it is available in Texas. The name search sits with Texas Secretary of State, Corporations Section. Keep the name distinct from companies already on the state register.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
An individual resident of Texas or an organization authorized to transact business in Texas may serve as registered agent, with the agent's consent.. Decide now whether that will be you or a commercial service, because the filing asks for the agent name and address.
Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation (Form 205)
File with Texas Secretary of State, Corporations Section and pay the state formation fee of $300. This filing is what creates the LLC.
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
An operating agreement records who owns the company, who runs it, and what happens if an owner leaves. It is an internal document in most states, but banks and partners ask for it.
Step 5: Get a tax ID number and set your calendar
Apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an employer identification number at no charge, open a company bank account, and record the state report deadline from this page so the first report is never a surprise.
Every state fee
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formation fee, Certificate of Formation (Form 205) | $300 |
| state report, no recurring cycle | $0 |
| Franchise tax | $0 each year |
| Paid to the state, year one | $300 |
| Paid to the state, every year after | $0 |
Registered agent rules in Texas
Who may serve: An individual resident of Texas or an organization authorized to transact business in Texas may serve as registered agent, with the agent's consent..
A physical street address in the state is required.
A post office box alone is not enough. Registered office must be a physical Texas street address where the registered agent can be reached during normal business hours.
Not sure which route fits you? Run the registered agent checker for Texas.
Reports and deadlines
Report: state report. Fee: $0 each filing, no recurring cycle.
Rule: No periodic report is required with the Secretary of State. LLCs subject to franchise tax file an annual franchise tax report and a Public Information Report with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.. Exact dates depend on your formation date. The compliance calendar for Texas turns the rule into dates from your formation date.
What you pay the state every year after
On the do it yourself route you pay the state $0 every year after year one in Texas, counting the report fee spread across its filing cycle and any annual state fee. The formation fee itself is paid once, in year one. A formation service and a commercial agent add their own charges on top of that floor. The cost calculator preset for Texas adds each service route to the same state fees so you can compare totals fairly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Texas?
The state filing fee in Texas is $300 for the Certificate of Formation (Form 205). What you pay the state in year one comes to $300 in our data, counting any report fee due in year one and any annual state fee. A formation service and a commercial agent add their own charges on top.
How much does an LLC in Texas cost each year?
The recurring state charges in Texas are: Franchise tax $0 each year. After year one, you pay the state $0 a year in our data.
Do I need a registered agent in Texas?
Yes. An individual resident of Texas or an organization authorized to transact business in Texas may serve as registered agent, with the agent's consent. Registered office must be a physical Texas street address where the registered agent can be reached during normal business hours.
When is the state report due in Texas?
No periodic report is required with the Secretary of State. LLCs subject to franchise tax file an annual franchise tax report and a Public Information Report with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The fee is $0 each filing.
Source: Texas Secretary of State, Corporations Section, https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/forms/205_boc.pdf. State information checked on 2026-10-25. Service prices on this site were checked on merchant pricing pages on October 25, 2026.