$300
to file the Certificate of Formation
$0
state cost per year after
$0–$99+
registered agent per year
How to start an LLC in Texas, step by step
- Choose and check your LLC name. The name must be distinguishable from other businesses on file in Texas and include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company”. Search the state’s business records first. Optional: reserve it ($40 for 120 days (Form 501)).
- Appoint a registered agent. Every Texas LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in the state. The LLC itself cannot act as its own registered agent. A member who is a Texas resident can serve as the agent as an individual. Commercial services start at $99 a year among those we compared.
- File the Certificate of Formation (Form 205). File with the Texas Secretary of State — SOSPortal. State fee: $300 (card payments add $0.25 + 2.25%).
- Sign an operating agreement. It sets out ownership, management and what happens if a member leaves. Banks often ask for it, and it helps show the LLC is separate from you.
- Get an EIN from the IRS. Free, online in minutes if the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN; by phone or fax for owners outside the US.
- Open a business bank account. Keep LLC money separate from personal money. Online business accounts with $0 monthly fees are available.
- Set up a business phone, email and website. A separate number and an email on your own domain keep your personal details private and help with banks and card issuers. Virtual numbers start around $14–$15 a month.
- Get licenses, permits and insurance. Check city and county licenses for your industry, and consider general liability insurance before you start working with clients.
- Put recurring state filings on your calendar. Texas franchise tax report & Public Information Report: May 15 each year (next business day if May 15 falls on a weekend or holiday) ($0 for most small LLCs).
Registered agent services
Prefer to hire a registered agent in Texas?
Commercial agents receive legal and state mail for you and keep your home address off public records. These are the three lowest yearly prices we verified on each provider’s site; confirm at checkout. Full comparison.
Zenind
First year: $99. After that: $99/yr.
Best for: Lowest ongoing price · non-US founders
Read our Zenind review →See Texas pricingNorthwest Registered Agent
First year: $0 with $39 LLC formation, or $125. After that: $125/yr.
Best for: Privacy + business address · multi-state
Read our Northwest Registered Agent review →See Texas pricingBizee
First year: $0 with LLC formation. After that: $149/yr standalone price (renewal after the free year not published).
Best for: Forming a new LLC (first year free)
Read our Bizee review →See Texas pricingWe may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How we’re funded.
All Texas LLC fees in one place
Every state fee a Texas LLC can run into, from formation to closing. The typical recurring state cost is $0 a year (no franchise tax at or below $2,650,000 annualized revenue; the Public Information Report is free).
| Filing or service | State fee | When |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation (Form 205) | $300 (card payments add $0.25 + 2.25%) | Once, to form the LLC |
| Name reservation (optional) | $40 for 120 days (Form 501) | Before forming, if you want to hold a name |
| Texas franchise tax report & Public Information Report | $0 for most small LLCs | Every year |
| Registered agent | $0 if you qualify to serve yourself; $99–$199/yr for a service | Ongoing |
| Change of registered agent | $15 | When you switch agents |
| Certificate of Fact – Status | $15 (Comptroller account status printout is free) | When a bank, lender or another state asks |
| Assumed Name Certificate (Form 503) | $25, valid up to 10 years | Only if you trade under another name |
| Certificate of Termination (Form 651) | $40 | Once, to close the LLC |
After you form your Texas LLC
Most of the work comes after formation. Open a business account, get insured and keep your yearly filings on time — missing them costs late fees and, eventually, your LLC’s good standing (Texas filing details).
Mercury
$0/mo
- $0 monthly fee, no minimum balance, no opening fees
- Free ACH and free domestic wires, sent and received
- Free outgoing USD international wires
Watch out: No cash deposits
NEXT Insurance
General liability from $19/mo
- Buy online in about 10 minutes, coverage effective after payment
- Unlimited free certificates of insurance (COI), 24/7
- General liability from $19 a month
Watch out: Starting prices are not guaranteed
Gusto
From $49/mo + $6/person
- Solo plan built for paying yourself a reasonable salary as an S corp
- Unlimited payrolls with automatic tax filings
- Contractor payments and 1099s
Watch out: Per-person fee adds up with larger teams
Free Texas deadline reminders
We email you 60, 30 and 7 days before each filing is due.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Texas?
The state filing fee for the Certificate of Formation (Form 205) is $300 (card payments add $0.25 + 2.25%). After that, expect no yearly state fee for most small LLCs (No franchise tax at or below $2,650,000 annualized revenue; the Public Information Report is free), plus a registered agent if you use a service.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Texas?
Processing times vary with the state’s workload; filing online is usually fastest. Check the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (franchise tax) for current times and expedite options.
Do I need a registered agent to start an LLC in Texas?
Yes. The registered office must be a Texas street address where the agent can be personally served during normal business hours. It may not be solely a mailbox service or telephone answering service.
Can I be my own registered agent in Texas?
The LLC itself cannot act as its own registered agent. A member who is a Texas resident can serve as the agent as an individual.
What does a Texas LLC have to file every year?
Texas franchise tax report & Public Information Report — May 15 each year (next business day if May 15 falls on a weekend or holiday). Fee: $0 for most small LLCs.
Do I need an operating agreement in Texas?
It’s strongly recommended: banks often ask for it, and without one the state’s default rules govern ownership, profits and buyouts.
Can a non-US resident start an LLC in Texas?
Yes. You don’t need to be a US citizen or resident. You’ll need a registered agent in the state, an EIN (by phone or fax without an SSN) and a bank that accepts non-resident owners.